If you are a U.S. citizen who has transitioned or is transitioning and wish to update your passport to reflect your true gender and name, here is a step-by-step guide to the process.  It would be beneficial to do it now, as to ensure that this process has been started prior to the next administration. 

Changing Your Gender Marker:

No Medical Documentation Required:

You are no longer required to provide medical documentation or a physician’s letter as evidence of gender transition.

Choose Your Gender Marker: 

You can select “M” (male), “F” (female), or “X” (unspecified or another gender identity) as your gender marker on the passport.

No Matching Requirement: 

The gender marker you choose does not need to match the gender on your citizenship evidence or photo ID.

Changing Your Name:

Legal Name Change:

You must have a legal name change documented through a court order or other legal process.

Supporting Documentation:

You will need to provide a certified copy of the court order or other legal document that reflects your name change.

Applying for a New Passport:

First-Time Applicants: 

• Proof of Citizenship:
  • U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
    • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
    • Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
    • Lists your parent(s)’ full names
    • Has the date filed with registrar’s office (must be within one year of birth)
    • Has the registrar’s signature
    • Has the seal or stamp from the city, county, or state which issued it
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship

Photo ID: 

• In-state, fully valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship 
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID

Look for a a location to complete your application: 

If traveling in 3 weeks or more: 

Apply in Person

Renewing as an Adult: 

You may be eligible to renew by mail or online if you meet certain criteria.

Mail: 

1. Can be submitted with your application*,
2. Is not damaged (other than normal wear and tear),
3. Has never been reported lost or stolen,
4. Was issued within the last 15 years,
5. Was issued when you were age 16 or older, and
6. Was issued in your current name (or you can provide a document like a marriage certificate or divorce decree to show you have changed your name

Online: 

1. The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older. 
2. We issued the passport you are renewing between 2009 and 2015. The passport was issued over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application. 
3. You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
4. You are not traveling for at least 6 weeks from the date you will submit your application. We will only offer routine service, and the time it takes to get a passport will be the same as renewing by mail. 
5. You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. You cannot renew a special issuance (diplomatic, official, service) passport online.
6. You live in the United States (either state or territory). You do not qualify to renew online if you live in a foreign country or have an Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), or Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) address.
7. You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to us. 
8. You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
9. You can upload a digital passport photo.
10. You are aware that we will cancel the passport you are renewing after you submit your application. You cannot use it for international travel.

Calculate your Fees:

Passport Fees: 

The standard fee for a new passport book is $130. You may also be required to pay an additional execution fee, depending on the location where you apply.

Expedited Service: 

If you need your passport expedited, there is an additional fee of $60.

Important Considerations:

Photo Requirements: 

Your new photo must reflect your current appearance and meet the photo specifications outlined on the U.S. State Department website.

Limited-Validity Passport:

If you were previously issued a limited-validity passport due to gender transition, you can replace it with a full-validity passport by submitting Form DS-5504.

Passport Card: 

The “X” gender marker is not yet available for passport cards. You may need to wait until the State Department updates its forms.

Additional Resources:

U.S. State Department: Gender Marker Selection

Applying for Your First US Passport

US Passport Renewal Online

US Passport Renewal- Mail