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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant update to its Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, by introducing a third gender option, marked as “X,” per Wego‘s report.
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This groundbreaking change, effective from 1 April 2024, aims to provide greater inclusivity and recognition for individuals who identify beyond the traditional binary genders of male and female.
USCIS is introducing a third gender option, "X," defined as “Another Gender Identity”. Today we published a new edition of Form N-400, the first form to include the X gender option. This option will become available on additional forms as we revise them. https://t.co/gEpcTO7SP1
— USCIS (@USCIS) April 1, 2024
Form N-400, commonly used by individuals seeking U.S. citizenship through naturalization, will now offer applicants the option to select “X” as their gender identity. This progressive move acknowledges the diverse spectrum of gender identities and ensures that individuals can accurately represent themselves in official documentation.
The addition of the “X” gender option reflects a broader shift in USCIS policy, as outlined in the USCIS Policy Manual. This manual update signals USCIS’s commitment to accommodating diverse gender identities and eliminating barriers within the immigration system.
Importantly, this change will not require applicants to provide supporting documentation for selecting the “X” gender option. USCIS emphasizes that the gender chosen on Form N-400 does not need to align with other immigration documents or supporting identity documents, such as birth certificates or passports.
However, individuals who have already filed Form N-400 before 1 April 2024 and wish to update their gender selection to “X” may do so. USCIS has provided clear instructions for such requests, ensuring a seamless transition for applicants.
While Form N-400 is the first USCIS form to include the “X” gender option, USCIS assures that additional form revisions will follow suit. This commitment ensures that all USCIS-issued secure identity documents, including naturalization certificates, accurately reflect individuals’ chosen gender identities.
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