Gender ‘X’

In November 2019, Washington residents were given the option of using a non-binary gender designation on their driver’s licenses, identification cards and instruction permits for the first time. Washingtonians can now select M, F, or X when they visit their licensing office, as well as easily change their gender designation on already existing identification. The State Department of Licensing began the process of adding the rule in 2018, in an effort to “more accurately reflect the gender identity of Washington residents, who identify as non-binary.” With this update, Washington became the 17th state to offer this choice.

“Everyone deserves to have their lived experience of gender and identity reflected as accurately as possible on their identification documents. This, in turn, helps reduce barriers to housing, transportation, education, and employment. It’s in service to our purpose of helping all Washington residents live, work, drive, and thrive,” Department of Licensing Director Teresa Berntsen said in a blog post about the rule change.

The first state to allow the non-binary designation on government identification was Oregon in 2017. Their rule change followed a landmark court decision, whereby Oregon also became the first state to allow someone to be legally recognized as a third gender. California, Utah, Colorado and Indiana were among the states that followed Oregon’s lead. The licensing rule change was not the first move that Washington made toward gender inclusivity, however. In 2018, the Washington State Department of Health had already begun to allow people to change their gender designation on their birth certificate.

In October 2020, the federal REAL ID Act goes into effect, which will require travelers to have approved identification. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, a gender “X” designation is valid for REAL ID Act compliance purposes. For more information on the REAL ID Act or the process of changing gender markers on a Washington driver’s license, instruction permit, or identification card, check out the following:

REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions

Washington State Department of Licensing: Change your Gender Designation (LE)