OLYMPIA, WA – A coalition of 12 state attorneys general, including Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, has submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of State opposing proposed changes to the passport application process that could affect transgender individuals.
The proposed changes follow an executive order issued by the Trump administration on Jan. 20, which directs federal agencies to recognize only male and female as legal sex designations. The order instructs the Department of State and other agencies to update government-issued identification documents, including passports, to reflect this classification.
In their letter, the attorneys general expressed concerns that the changes could create challenges for transgender and non-binary individuals whose gender identity does not align with the sex listed on their federal identification documents. They argue that discrepancies between state and federal identification could lead to difficulties when traveling and accessing resources.
At least 16 states, including Washington, allow transgender and non-binary individuals to update their birth certificates to reflect their gender identity. The attorneys general stated that differences between state-issued and federal documents could cause delays and additional administrative burdens.
The comment letter was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Other attorneys general who joined include representatives from California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont.
The State Department has not yet finalized the proposed changes.