The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a “third gender” option on citizenship forms to enhance the accuracy of data collection for immigrants who do not identify strictly as male or female.
Previously, USCIS forms and accompanying documents only offered binary gender options, posing challenges for individuals whose gender identity falls outside these categories.
In an official announcement released on Monday, USCIS stated, “We have updated Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to include a third gender option, ‘X’, designated as ‘Another Gender Identity’.”
“We are also revising guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to accommodate this form update and future revisions that will incorporate a third gender option,” the statement continued.
Effective April 1, 2024, applicants completing Form N-400 will have the option to select ‘X’ as their gender identity. The inclusion of this option will extend to other forms in due course.
USCIS emphasized that the addition of a third gender option facilitates the accuracy of identity documents and biographical information, benefiting both external stakeholders and individuals seeking immigration benefits.
Furthermore, this initiative aligns with federal and state agencies, such as the U.S. Department of State, which offer a third gender option, denoted as gender X, in their passport application process.
The absence of non-binary gender options in the past posed significant obstacles for individuals whose gender identity did not conform to traditional male or female categories. Additionally, it presented administrative complexities for USCIS when handling documents reflecting genders other than male or female.
In March 2023, USCIS introduced policies allowing applicants to self-identify their gender without the need for supporting documentation, aiming to streamline access to immigration services.
