Thursday, June 10, 2010

Surgery No Longer Requirement For US Passport Gender Marker Change

Some welcome news for those of us who either have, need or soon will be applying for or picking up United States passports.

The U.S. State Department announced yesterday a new policy that no longer requires passport applicants seeking a gender change to have undergone genital reassignment surgery.

Incorrect gender markers on passports are a major concern to tarns people traveling abroad, and can lead to harassment or worse when a passport is presented with a gender marker that doesn't match the person's gender presentation.

The policy, which goes into effect today, allows a gender marker change with a certification from an attending physician.

The doctor's certification must confirm only that the passport applicant has undergone treatment for gender transition. Limited-validity passports for applicants who are in the process of gender transition also will be available under the policy.

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