Save Trans Passports - your action is needed!
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SAVE TRANSGENDER PASSPORTS

Help us save transgender passports: New U.S. regulations affect the ability of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary Americans to receive accurate U.S. passports. Your help is urgently needed to save transgender passports. The U.S. State Department is only allowing for a very short period of public comment regarding the changes to federal guidelines for passports which restrict the ability of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary Americans to receive U.S. passports that accurately represent their gender identity.  

We are asking that TGGuide members and visitors submit comments urging against the implementation of these exclusionary policies. Both trans and cisgender allies are welcome to submit comments, and every comment helps. Every voice needs to be heard!

What Are the New Guidelines?

Form DS-11 Passport Application

Passport Application Form DS-11 requests the applicant’s biological sex at birth, male “M” or female “F,” and forbids the correction of sex marker even with a valid court order. 

Form DS-5504 Name and Data Corrections

Name and Data Corrections Form DS-5504 replaces the term “gender” with “sex” and requests the applicant’s biological sex at birth, male “M” or female “F,” which will be reflected on the passport regardless of gender identity or legal gender.

Form DS-82 Passport Renewals

Passport Renewals Form DS-82 requests the applicant’s biological sex at birth, male “M” or female “F,” and reverts to that sex designation regardless of the information on previously issued passports.

Your Help Is Urgently Needed Now! 

The U.S. State Department issued a notice of request for public comments (opens a new window) with a very short window of opportunity.

The U.S. State Department is obligated to review each unique comment submitted. Although these policies may be approved, comments continue to play a significant role in legal cases against discriminatory policies. Each time people submit feedback, it makes the argument against these changes more solid—silence is not an option.

Privacy Precautions

Before commenting, please consider your privacy as comments may be viewable by the public:

  • You may submit comments anonymously or using your preferred name or an alias.
  • You do not need to include any reference to your gender identity.
  • Do not provide personally identifiable information in your comment (your name, location, details of travel plans, etc.)

Comment Submissions

The State Department has to consider every unique comment submitted, so don’t just copy and paste! See the links at the bottom of this article to submit comments regarding each U.S. State Department passport form. Click the button “SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT”.

Consider Addressing These Points

Share any relevant thoughts or concerns. The following points are intended to spark your own thoughts and ideas for your personal commentary.

  • How this policy affects you or your family member(s) firsthand.
  • The very real dangers of being persecuted or assaulted for having an ID that does not conform to your identity.
  • Why having different identification documents is a primary factor for identity theft.
  • How this will make international travel difficult and more dangerous for otherwise lawful gender non-conforming citizens.
  • The fact that these policies may result in cisgender Americans having the wrong passports because of previous errors in the birth records.
  • These policies are unnecessary, unfair, and discriminatory.
  • The real effects with airport security checks when gender identity does not match issued documents.
  • Economic effects, including the negative effects on tourism and business.
  • The lack of adequate notice for public comments: These changes were announced within a short 30-day period when a 60-day public commentary period is required by law.

Submit Comments Online

[DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS MARCH 17, 2025] Form DS-11 (passport application) requests the applicant’s biological sex at birth, male “M” or female “F,” and forbids the correction of sex marker even with a valid court order. Submit comments online (opens a new window).

[DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS MARCH 20, 2025] Form DS-5504 (name and data corrections) replaces the term “gender” with “sex” and requests the applicant’s biological sex at birth, male “M” or female “F,” which will be reflected on the passport regardless of gender identity or legal gender. Submit comments online (opens a new window).

[DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS MARCH 20, 2025] Form DS-82 (passport renewals) requests the applicant’s biological sex at birth, male “M” or female “F,” and reverts to that sex designation regardless of the information on previously issued passports. Submit comments online (opens a new window).