Gender Reassignment Passport Applicants

What is need for gender reassignment passport applicants? Passport regulations provide specific steps that must be followed and certain forms to present for any applicants who have completed gender reassignment or are in the process of gender assignment.

Applications for Applicants with Gender Reassignment

When presenting an ID with a passport application, it must reflect accurately how you currently appear before it will be accepted. This requirement includes the picture on the ID accurately portraying your appearance at the time of application.

When you apply for a passport with a gender reassignment, you must also submit a certificate from your physician that indicates the status of your gender reassignment, in progress or completed. In addition, if your name has changed, legal documentation of that change must be submitted.

A new passport with full 10-year term will be issued if the submitted physician certificate confirms the completion of your gender reassignment. This certificate from the physician must be an original that is signed and completed on official letterhead from the physician’s office. The certificate must contain other specific information, including:

  • Full name of the physician
  • Number of the medical license or medical certificate
  • The name of the issuing state or jurisdiction for the license or certificate
  • The physician’s assigned Drug Enforcement Agency registration number
  • The physician’s telephone number and address

The physician’s letter or certificate must include language stating, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct.” The language must also state 1) there is a doctor/patient relationship with your attending physician submitting the document and 2) you, the applicant, have received appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to your new gender.

You will only be eligible for a passport with two-year validity if the submitted physician certificate indicates the gender reassignment process in still in process. The same requirements exist for this letter, including ensuring it is:

  • Written and signed as an original document
  • Produced on official office letterhead
  • Inclusive of the full name and medical license or certificate, with state or jurisdiction of issuing authority, of the physician

If you initially receive a limited passport book and complete gender transition during this period, your passport can be extended to full ten-year validity by submitting Form DS-5504 within the two year period. There are no additional fees for this extension.

Example Acceptable Certification from Attending Physician:

Attending Physician’s (Official Letterhead)I, (physician’s full name), (physician’s medical license or certificate number), (issuing State of medical license/certificate), (DEA Registration number), am the attending physician of (name of patient), with whom I have a doctor/patient relationship.(Name of patient) has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender (specify new gender male or female).

Or

(Name of patient) is in the process of gender transition to the new gender (specify new gender male or female).

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct.

Signature of Physician

Typed Name of Physician

Date