Overview

• The June 18 decision by US District Judge Julia Kobick extends passport protections beyond the original six plaintiffs to every transgender and non-binary applicant.
• Kobick ruled that the January 2025 decree limiting gender on federal documents to male or female was based on "irrational prejudices" and violated equal protection.
• The Trump administration’s policy had directed the State Department to recognize only male or female designations on passports and visas.
• Affected individuals can now request passport gender markers that align with their identity or select an “X” option regardless of their birth-assigned gender.
• Earlier this year, the German Foreign Office advised transgender travelers to consult US embassies over entry requirements after the policy narrowed available gender options.