U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Introduces "Third Gender" Option on Citizenship Forms

 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a "third gender" option on citizenship forms to collect data from immigrants with greater accuracy, acknowledging that some individuals do not identify as male or female.

Previously, USCIS forms and associated documents only offered male and female options, which created significant barriers for individuals who do not identify with either gender.

In an official statement issued on Monday, USCIS announced the revision of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to include a third gender option, 'X', defined as 'Another Gender Identity'.

The USCIS Policy Manual will be updated to account for this form revision and other forthcoming form revisions that will add a third gender option.

Applicants filling Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024, will have 'X' immediately available as a gender option, and other forms will eventually include this option as well.

The USCIS stated that adding a third gender option helps ensure that secure identity documents and biographical data are accurate, aligning with federal and state agencies that have adopted a third gender option.

Previously, the limited gender options led to administrative challenges for USCIS when processing birth certificates or other official government-issued documents with a gender other than male or female.

In March 2023, USCIS updated its policies to allow applicants to select their gender without providing supporting documentation, aiming to provide easier access to immigration services.