How to Update the Gender on Your Passport 

To demonstrate its commitment to better servicing all U.S. residents, the U.S. Department of State has announced the addition of an undefined gender identifier (X) when applying for a U.S. passport book. This post will explain how to change your American passport's gender.

If you want a passport card or accelerated service, you can mark your application with an X starting in late 2023. Additional technology modifications are expected to be finished by the U.S. Department of State so that the X gender identifier is used on the following documents:

• Citizenship Cards
• Embassies and consulates print temporary passports.
• Passports issued quickly and in an emergency at passport offices and centers, including
• Consular Reports of International Birth (CRBAs)

There is good news for all American citizens who have changed their gender or may do so in the future and need a new U.S. passport to reflect their unique identification. To modify the gender marker on your passport, you will no longer need to present a medical certificate of a gender change as of June 2021.

Even if the gender marker you choose on your passport application form does not correspond to the gender on your supporting documents, this is still true (usually your previous passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued photo I.D.).

You no longer require a doctor's letter.

Transgender Americans have had access to changing their passport's gender designation for the past 11 years, but only if they can provide "medical proof" of a gender transition. This confirmation was often offered in the form of a letter from their doctor; the most common reason a transgender person's passport application had to be resubmitted to the State Department was that their doctor's note was wrong (by not adhering to the official template, for example).

Obtaining such documents was difficult because not all transgender people are under a doctor's care. The upgrading of a passport is now more egalitarian and open to all U.S. citizens; regardless, reassignment surgery was never required to change one's gender on an American ticket.

So, to be clear, you no longer need to provide an official letter from your physician to amend your gender for your passport. Many travel websites, including passport information and LGBTQ websites, have yet to be updated with this new information. Do not be misled or perplexed! The only website you need to know, and trust is the United States Department of State, which states unequivocally: "We no longer require medical verification to change the gender marker on your U.S. passport."s of gender or sexual orientation, thanks to these new regulations.

How to Change Your Passport Gender

To show dedication to better assisting all U.S. citizens, the U.S. Department of State has announced the inclusion of an unspecified gender (X) marking to applicants for the U.S. passport book. In this blog, we'll discuss how to change the gender on the back of your U.S. passport.

From the end of 2023 onwards, In the second half of 2023, you'll be able to choose the X marker when you're seeking a passport card or an expedited service. This is because the U.S. Department of State anticipates making further technological updates to ensure that the marker with X will be accessible in the following forms:

• Passport Cards

• Emergency passports that are printed at embassies and consulates

• Passport agencies and centers issue emergency passports and expedited passports,

• Birth Abroad Consular Reports (CRBAs)

How to Modify the Gender Marker on Your Passport

If you have a valid passport, you can apply for passport renewal to reflect your gender. You can choose male (M) or female (F) or any other gender identity that is not specified (X) as your gender marker when you apply for the U.S. passport book.

The process of renewal of your passport is simple. All you need is the current (valid) document for your access and an updated passport photo. After the passport and the new passport photo are complete, it is time to complete your DS-82 Passport Application along with an order for money or check for the fee charged by the government. The good news is that PassportsAndVisas.com makes it simple to obtain a passport renewal to correct the gender on your passport. Note that, until the end of 2023, there is no routine service for gender updates in the passport.

The U.S. Department of State updates the Form Filler and The Form Eligibility Wizard tools to incorporate the X gender identifier. If applying for a passport using the X marker, download the passport form PDF and fill it out with black ink.

What Is Medical Documentation Required to Change Your Passport Gender?

Let's say you want to change your identity or gender. In that situation, you do not need to provide any documentation (medical or otherwise) to change it, regardless of whether the gender you select on the application does not correspond to the gender on your passport or other documents.

What Does "Self-Certifying" Your Gender Mean?

"Self-Certifying" or "Self-Selecting" means that you can select the gender that will appear on the back of your U.S. passport. Beginning April 11, 2022, you will have the option of choosing male (M) or female (F) or undetermined gender identification or another (X).

Is it necessary to update the gender on your birth certificate or driver's license before updating/renewing your passport?

Your passport photo and proof of citizenship do not need to match your gender on the passport application. The passport photo must be a photo I.D., however. It is strongly recommended that you verify that it is a contemporary depiction of your appearance to match your passport photo submission.

Passport Processing Times

Standard processing times for passports are 8-11 weeks or more. If you require an international passport and are planning to travel within the next few weeks, PassportsAndVisas.com can help. We make getting your passport simple and quick by giving you an informative checklist and personalized help with the application. After that, we send your documents to the Department of State for super-fast processing in as little as one business day.