The Social Security Administration is now allowing Americans to choose their gender — with “male” and “female” as the options — when applying for a Social Security card.
Americans can update their Social Security records to align with their gender identity regardless of what sex is designated on other official documents, including driver’s licenses, passports, and identification cards.
The agency’s acting commissioner, Kilolo Kijakazi, said the policy change demonstrates “a commitment to decrease administrative burdens and ensure people who identify as gender diverse or transgender have options in the Social Security Number card application process.”
Gallery: How to Get the Most Out of Social Security
As part of its “Equity Action Plan,” the agency is also considering future updates to provide Americans who do not identify as male or female with an “X” option.
The Social Security changes come on the heels of reforms to the State Department’s passport procedures, which allow applicants to self-select their gender, including the aforementioned “X” designation. The TSA PreCheck program and many airlines likewise accept the gender-neutral marker.
