As of June 14, 2013, the Social Security Administration made changing one's gender in his or her social security records easier to do. Proof of surgical procedures that bring the body into alignment with a person's gender identity is no longer required. This is good news for transsexuals who seek to make gender designations in official records and on identity cards, driver's licenses, and passports reflect their gender identity.
Body alignment surgery is expensive, and many transsexuals must save for years before having it done. Some, for various reasons, may opt not to have the surgery. In the past, that often meant having the wrong gender indicated in records and carrying cards that "outed them" at times and in situations not of their choice.
As Mara Keisling of The National Center for Transgender Equality states, ""Most people may not see this as a big deal, but transgender people know that this seemingly small technical change will protect their privacy and give them more control over their own lives."
See more about the change on the NCTE website.