The US State Department has suspended processing of passport applications with the gender marker of “X” and will only issue passports for individuals identifying as male or female. This move aligns with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which recognizes two sexes, male and female, and states that these sexes are not changeable.
According to a department spokesperson, the passport issuance will now reflect an individual’s biological sex as defined by the executive order. The department will no longer issue passports with the “X” marker, and guidance on previously issued passports is forthcoming.
The executive order reverses changes made under the Biden administration, which allowed Americans to select “X” as their gender marker on passport applications. The Trump administration will also shift its language to use “sex” instead of “gender” and define sex as an individual’s immutable biological classification.
The order also requires government agencies, including the State Department, to ensure that official documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect an individual’s sex. Additionally, employee records and federal department messaging must comply with the executive order.
The Trump administration has also promised to stop using federal dollars to promote and pay for gender-affirming procedures and to prohibit hospitals and healthcare providers from providing chemical or physical gender-affirming care to youth.
