Social Security Administration says people will be able to choose their sex on their social security records
Apr 1, 2022, 3:41 PM
This Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, photo shows a Social Security card in Tigard, Ore. Photo credit: AP Photo/Jenny Kane.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Social Security Administration announced that people would have the option to self-select their sex on their social security number records. The agency said it expects the option will be effective by fall 2022.
The change comes after the agency instructed employees to accept evidence documents that use an “X” or other non-binary sex identifiers. That instruction extended to both original and replacement SSN card applications.
Acting Commissioner of the agency Kilolo Kijakazi said “the Social Security Administration is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring the fair treatment of the LGBTQ+ community by updating our procedures for Social Security number records.”
“This policy change will allow people to self-select their sex in our records without needing to provide documentation of their sex designation,” Kijakazi added.
Those wanting to update their sex on their records will need to apply for a replacement SSN card. The agency said people will still need to provide documents to prove their identity. But once the new policy takes effect, the agency said, it will no longer require people to give medical or legal documents for their sex designation.
SSN cards do not have a sex designation on them.
The agency said it was exploring possible options to include an “X” sex designation in the future.
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