We have revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to provide a third gender option, “X,” defined as “Other Gender Identity.”  We also update the guides in the USCIS Policy Manual as appropriate to reflect this form revision and other future form revisions that will add a third gender option.  See the Policy Alert here.  (PDF, 344.77 KB)

The 01/04/24 edition of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, will be the first USCIS form to include the “X” gender option.  Applicants filing this edition of Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024, will have option X immediately available as a gender option on their form.

Applicants who have a pending Form N-400 with the current edition from before April 1, 2024, may also request to update their gender as of April 1, 2024. For all other forms, individuals must wait until USCIS revise those forms to include gender option X.

Please see the table below to determine if gender option X is available to you.

Form N-400 is the only USCIS form that offers the Gender X option at this time.  Therefore, until USCIS completes additional form revisions that add the X gender option, naturalization certificates are the only USCIS-issued secure identity documents that can reflect X gender. In the request to replace the naturalization/citizenship document.  (Form N-565).

If you have others pending benefit applications with USCIS and want to choose X as your gender, or if you want to change your existing USCIS-issued secure identity documents to reflect X as your gender, you must wait until USCIS updates the relevant forms.  Before you can do it.  Once USCIS updates additional forms to offer the X gender option, benefit applicants can follow the instructions on the website How to Update or Correct your Documents to select gender option X.

Supporting Documentation Not Required

You are not required to provide supporting documentation to select gender option “X” initially or to change your gender selection for Form N-400.  The gender you select does not have to match the gender listed on your other immigration documents or documents to prove identity, such as your birth certificate, passport, or state ID.

Social Security Card

Please note that if you select gender option “X” on the new Form N-400, you may need to visit a Social Security office to obtain a Social Security card or update your citizenship status.  The Social Security Administration is still in the process of developing systems to accept gender option “X.”

Background

Historically, USCIS forms and associated documents have only offered two gender options: “Male (M)” and “Female (F).”  This has created significant barriers for applicants who do not identify with any of those options.  Limiting benefit applicants to two gender options also creates administrative challenges for USCIS when we receive birth certificates or other official government-issued documents with a gender other than “M” or “F.”  Adding a third gender option helps ensure that secure ID documents and biographical data are accurate, while assisting both external stakeholders and individuals applying for immigration benefits.  It is also consistent with federal and state agencies that have adopted a third gender option, such as the United States Department of State, which has expanded services to offer gender option X in the passport application.

In March 2023, USCIS updated the Policy Manual to address the gender self-selection on USCIS forms (PDF, 333.48 KB). This policy update allows benefit applicants to select their gender on all USCIS forms without providing supporting documentation (except Form N-565, which requires a formal form review to implement this policy).  Benefit applicants will also be able to change a previous selection without needing to provide specific supporting documentation, or to match previous documentation provided.  This revision is consistent with efforts to break down barriers in the immigration system and reduce undue burdens on access to immigration benefits, while maintaining identity verification and fraud prevention procedures.

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