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2.0

DOS proposes changes to Form DS-5504 (Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals: Correction, Name Change to Passport) to no longer allow "X" gender marker

  1. Original Date Announced

    February 18, 2025

    The State Department issued a notice requesting public comment on proposed changes to Form DS-5504 (Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals: Correction, Name Change to Passport) in compliance with EO 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government."

    DOS proposes that the revised application form will:

    • Request the applicant's biological sex at birth, and will only allow responses of "M" or "F," not "X"; and
    • Replace the term "gender" with "sex."

    In addition, the form will be revised to add an applicant statement confirming that the applicant is not required to register as a sex offender, in accordance with International Megan's Law (34 U.S.C. § 21501 et seq., and 22 U.S.C. § 212b).

    The Department will accept comments from the public until March 20, 2025.

    Notably, the State Department is providing a version of Form DS-5504 on its website that puts this proposed change into effect immediately, even though this proposal is currently in the 30-day notice period under the Paperwork Reduction Act process. The version of Form DS-5504 currently being provided by the Department of State has an expiration date of 11/30/2022, and does not allow the "X" gender marker to be selected. This version of the form was a previous version approved by OMB during Trump 1.0.

    Trump 2.0 [#1576]

    Form DS-5504 on DOS website_expiration 11.30.2022 2025.02.18 - OMB Supporting Statement for DS-5504 (1405-0160) 2025.2.18 Public Notice 12668, Application for Correction, Name Change to Passport Issued 1 Year Ago or Less, and Limited Passport Replacement(90 Fed. Reg. 9800)
  2. Effective Date

    February 18, 2025
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • February 7, 2025

      2025.02.07 Orr v. Trump, 1:25-cv-10313 (D. Mass.) - Complaint

      On February 7, 2025, seven transgender and nonbinary U.S. citizen plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District of Massachusetts, challenging the government's policy of using gender markers reflecting individuals' sex assigned at birth under EO 14168. The plaintiffs allege that this passport policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). They seek declaratory and injunctive relief to vacate agency actions taken according to this policy and to prevent further implementation. Orr v. Trump, 1:25-cv-10313 (D. Mass.).

      **Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**

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