US Government Freezes Passport Applications with 'X' Gender Marker Following Policy Change

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The United States State Department has announced a suspension of all passport applications featuring an 'X' gender marker, along with a freeze on changes to existing gender identity on travel documents. This decision follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, during his second inauguration, which declared that the U.S. recognizes only two genders: male and female.

According to reports, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed department staff to strictly enforce these new guidelines, emphasizing that only immutable biological classifications—male or female—shall be used in official identification documents. As part of this policy, applications requesting 'X' sex markers will be rejected, and any requests to alter existing markers will be put on hold.

This policy shift imposes significant implications on both current passport holders with an 'X' marker and those seeking to apply for a passport. The State Department initially began issuing passports with non-binary identification options in April 2022. Although passports that currently include the 'X' marker remain valid, renewing them could present complications.

Further guidance regarding existing passports with 'X' markers is expected to be communicated through other channels.

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