The United States has stopped issuing passports with a gender-neutral “X” option, the State Department announced, following an executive order by President Donald Trump limiting federal recognition of transgender identity.
This decision reverses a policy introduced under President Joe Biden’s administration, leaving many uncertain about the status of pending applications and previously issued passports with the “X” designation.
Shortly after assuming office on Monday, Trump signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to recognize only male or female as gender markers. The State Department confirmed that passports will now reflect the applicant’s biological sex as defined by the new directive.
“As part of this Order, the Department has ceased issuing passports with X markers and suspended processing of applications requesting such markers,” a State Department spokesperson stated Friday night.
Further guidance on existing X-designated passports is expected and will be published on the department’s travel website.
The “X” marker option was first introduced in October 2021 after a legal battle involving an intersex individual from Colorado.
Regular issuance of X passports began in 2022, but the State Department has not disclosed how many such passports have been issued. A study by UCLA’s Williams Institute estimated that over 16,000 people might apply for an X passport annually.
During his campaign, Trump criticized transgender policies, particularly regarding women’s sports and medical care for children, and has taken immediate action to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
His executive order halts federal DEI programs and anti-discrimination measures, sparking backlash from rights groups and raising legal questions.
Legal challenges to these actions are expected, as many states and several countries, including Australia, Canada, and Germany, continue to offer gender-neutral options on official documents like driver’s licenses and passports.
