Request X in Passport - also for Gender-Neutral Passport or ID Card

Do you want to register an X in your passport or ID card, also known as a gender-neutral passport or identity card? Then a legal procedure through the court is necessary.

Whether you want to better align your identity with who you are or experience practical problems when traveling, an X-registration can be an important step. We help you not only with the legal process but also with all the information you need about applying for the passport itself.

More and more people are choosing a gender-neutral gender registration as an appropriate representation of their identity.

At Simmelink Advocaten, we have been guiding clients through this process since 2019. All our applications have been successful so far. We ensure a careful and well-considered request, with attention to your identity and optimal results.

An X-request essentially concerns changing the gender designation in the birth certificate to “undetermined”. This gender registration forms the basis for official documents such as passport, driver’s license, and identity card. The X-registration is legally available for people who no longer identify as male or female, such as non-binary or intersex individuals.

What Does an X in your Passport or Identity Card Mean?

An X in your passport is also seen as a gender-neutral alternative to the traditional gender designation. More and more people are consciously choosing this form of registration, especially among non-binary individuals who do not identify with the traditional male/female categories. What’s in your passport then no longer has a label that doesn’t fit who you are. An X in your passport is also seen as a gender-neutral alternative to the traditional gender designation.

Since 2022, in the Netherlands, you can choose an X instead of M (male) or F (female) on your passport and identity card. This option is intended for people who do not (fully) identify as male or female. After court approval, your gender registration in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) and civil registry is adjusted. With an X-registration, you get a travel document that better aligns with who you are. What’s in your passport thus better reflects your actual identity.

An X in your passport stands for a registration as “gender undetermined”. In birth certificates, passports, and court decisions, this term is deliberately chosen because it allows room for personal experience without imposing judgment.

For many people who do not identify as male or female – such as non-binary or intersex individuals – this is an important form of recognition.

When are You Eligible for an X?

Whether you are eligible for a gender-neutral gender registration depends on your personal situation and how you identify. The jurisprudence in this area is continuously evolving. Choosing an X in your passport instead of M or F is not yet regulated in Dutch law.

An X-registration is only possible if you structurally do not identify as male or female. The court assesses whether your request is sufficiently substantiated. This assessment is different from requests by individuals who identify with the other gender.

In the case of an X registration, the focus is not on transitioning to another gender, but on the absence of a binary identity. Non-binary individuals fall outside the traditional classification. You do not need to have undergone medical treatment. However, an expert statement is required stating that your gender identity is not binary. Many people think that an expert statement is needed to prove their identity, but it is mainly required to sufficiently substantiate the legal request.

You do not need to have undergone medical treatment. However, an expert statement is required stating that your gender identity is not binary. Many people think that an expert statement is needed to prove their identity, but it is mainly required to sufficiently substantiate the legal request.

You can apply for an X if:

• you are older than 16 years (with permission from 16);
• you have Dutch nationality;
• you are registered in the Netherlands;
• you have a valid form of identification (passport or ID card);
• you have long not identified as male or female.

What Does an X Application Cost?

The cost for applying for an X in your passport is €1050,-. This amount consists of:

• €331,- court fees (costs of the court in 2025)
• €719,- legal preparation and guidance
• No additional lawyer costs, unless the court schedules a hearing

If the court schedules a hearing, we will charge additional costs for the extra time investment. We will inform you clearly about this in advance.

In exceptional cases where the judge rejects the request, we can also advise you on the possibilities for appeal. This way, you won’t be faced with surprises. If you qualify for subsidized legal aid, you may only have to pay a personal contribution. We can inform you about the amount of the personal contribution and how it is determined.

Combining Name Change with X Application

Do you want to change your first name at the same time? That’s possible.
For a separate name change, we charge €950,-, but with a simultaneous application, we can efficiently combine the procedure. As a result, you pay €1,050,- for both together, instead of two separate processes of €950,- and €1,050,-.

Possibility of Subsidized Legal Aid

If your income and assets are below a certain threshold, you may be able to use legal aid through the Legal Aid Board. In that case, different financial conditions apply:

• Court fees: €91,-
• Personal contribution: between €420,- and €900,-, depending on your income.
  Want to know what your personal contribution would be? You can read this yourself via the Legal Aid Board website.
• No additional lawyer costs

In special cases, subsidies or special assistance through the municipality may be possible, for example if you have a low income. We’d be happy to inform you about this during the initial consultation.

We discuss all costs in advance. In exceptional cases where the judge rejects the request, we can also advise you on the possibilities for appeal. This way, you won’t be faced with surprises. If you qualify for subsidized legal aid, you may only have to pay a personal contribution. We can inform you about the amount of the personal contribution and how it is determined.

How Does the Application Process Work?

Step by step towards an X status in your passport or ID card:

1. Initial consultation
   We listen to your story and explain the procedure. You gain insight into the chances of success, costs, and whether you might qualify for special assistance or subsidies.
2. Gathering documents
   We guide you (if necessary) in collecting: expert statement, birth certificate, copy of valid passport or ID card.
3. Submitting the petition to the court
   We prepare the petition and submit it for you; an attorney is required for this step. The petition consists of two parts:
   • your personal explanation and motivation;
   • legal substantiation;
4. Court ruling
   A ruling follows after a few weeks. After that, there is generally a waiting period of three months before the change is definitively processed, allowing for appeal or higher appeal. These three months are legally determined and give parties the opportunity to object or appeal. If granted, your gender registration will be adjusted in the BRP (Personal Records Database) and at the civil registry of the municipality where you are registered.
5. Applying for your new passport or identity document
   With the court ruling, you can apply for a new identity document or travel document at the municipality. The change is then also registered with the civil registry. Many clients experience the moment they receive an X in their passport as an important recognition of their identity.
   
   We also advise you on all practical aspects of applying for a passport, such as a possible expedited application, required documents, and passport photo.
   You can apply for your passport at the municipality as soon as the registration has been updated. Do you also need an identity card? Then you can apply for this at the same time as the passport.