Birth certificates in New Jersey will soon include a third, gender-neutral option.
Beginning on Friday, residents in the state will be permitted to amend the gender listed on their birth certificates, according to NBC News. Residents will have the option of choosing between male, female or nonbinary.
Under current law, residents in New Jersey can only amend the gender listed on their birth certificate if a doctor certifies that the person has undergone sex reassignment surgery.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed the new legislation in July of last year. He said at the time that the bill was an “important step forward.”
“Today is an important day for New Jersey as we continue to strive toward equality for all of our residents, regardless of sex or gender expression,” he said. “Allowing vital records to match gender identity is an important step forward that will allow transgender individuals to control the disclosure of their transgender status.”
New Jersey will become the fourth state to include a gender-neutral option on birth certificates, joining California, Oregon and Washington.
New York City also made the option available earlier this month.