On November 6, 2025, the Supreme Court made a decision to temporarily allow the U.S. Department of State to return to issuing passports with only “F” or “M” gender markers, based on a person’s assigned gender at birth. This puts a pause on an earlier policy that allowed applicants to self-select “M”, “F”, or “X”, without having to provide proof of documentation. So, how could this affect your travel plans, and what does this mean for travelers going forward? Here’s everything we think you should know.
What Exactly Did the Supreme Court Decide?
On November 6, 2025, The Supreme Court made a decision to allow the State Department to temporarily enforce a policy that limits the passport gender markers to “M” or “F”. This means that travelers who are applying for a passport or passport renewal must select “M” or “F” based on their sex at birth. This puts a pause on a policy that allowed applicants to select “M”, “F”, or “X” without having to provide documentation. This decision is not final and could change in the future.
What Parts of the Old Policy Are Still in Place?
Not everything has changed, and some parts of the old policy are still in place. For example, if you already have a passport with an “X” marker, it is still valid until your passport expires. You do not have to renew your passport early. Another thing to note is that your passport can still be used for domestic flights, and Trusted Travelers IDs will remain as valid identification.
How Will This Affect Passport Applications and Renewals?
If you currently have a passport with an “X” marker and need to renew it soon, you will have to make some changes. Anyone who is looking to apply for a new passport or passport renewal will now have to select “M” or “F”, based on the sex that you were assigned at birth. There will no longer be an option to have an “X” gender-designated passport.
What if I Already Have an “X” Gender-Designated Passport?
Travelers who already have an “X” gender-designated passport will not need to make any changes at this time, unless your passport is set to expire soon. If you need to get a passport renewal and currently have an “X” marker on your passport, you will need to choose an “M” or “F” marker for your passport renewal, based on the sex you were assigned on your birth certificate.
What Else Should I Keep in Mind When Planning a Trip?
If you have a passport with an “X” marker and are planning to go on a domestic trip in the near future, nothing will change for you. You can continue to travel with your passport and use it as a form of identification. However, if you have upcoming international travel plans, you’ll want to check your destination’s entry requirements in advance. Some countries do not accept passports with an “X” marker, meaning that they could deny you entry.
Which Countries Recognize “X” Markers?
There are many countries around the world that have started to recognize “X” gender-designated passports. This means that you can travel to these countries and enter without running into any problems. Some of the countries that recognize “X” markers include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Argentina. It’s important to always do your research beforehand to ensure that you can travel to a destination using your “X” gender-designated passport.
Which Countries Don’t Recognize “X” Markers?
On the other hand, there are still some countries that do not recognize “X” markers. This means that if you try to enter one of these countries, you could possibly be denied entry, and will have to cancel your travel plans altogether. Some of the countries that typically do not recognize “X” markers include China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Again, if you aren’t sure if a specific country allows the use of “X” gender-designated markers, do some research so that you aren’t caught off guard.
Where Can I Get Official Updates?
To get official updates on this new temporary policy, visit the U.S. Department of State website. Here, you can check for any changes, and get the most current information on the matter. Rules may continue to shift in the upcoming months, and you should check the guidelines before applying for a new passport or passport renewal. Being informed is the best way to ensure that you know what to expect when traveling going forward.
