Passport Information for Law Enforcement (2024)

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  • Passport Information for Judges and Lawyers

  • Child Support Payments

  • Passport Information for Law Enforcement

  • Passports and International Megan's Law

  • Passports and Children in Custody Disputes

  • Passports and Seriously Delinquent Tax Debt

  • Return of Surrendered Passports

Law enforcement agencies may ask for passport records and restrictions on the use of U.S. passports.

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Requesting Passport Records

Law enforcement agencies may request certified copies of U.S. passport records. You must include the following information in your request:

  • Subject’s name
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Reason for the request
    • Explain if you are prosecuting or investigating the subject
    • Include the names of the defendants, or those under investigation
    • Identify the crimes and include statutory citations, and
    • Explain how the records you want relate to the investigation or prosecution of the subject

Send your request on official agency letterhead to:

U.S. Department of State
Office of Records Management
Records Review and Release Division
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1227
Sterling, VA 20166

Phone: 202-485-6550
Fax: 202-485-6555

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Returning Lost and Stolen Passports

When a customerreports a passport lost or stolen, we cancel it so no one can use it to travel to a foreign country.If a lost or stolen U.S. passport is returned to your office, send the passport and a letter (on your agency's letterhead) to this address:

U.S. Department of State
Consular Lost and Stolen Passport Unit (CLASP)
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1150
Sterling, VA 20166

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Passport Restrictive Actions

Placing Subject in Namecheck System

We use a system to check the name and verify the identity of every passport applicant. Law enforcement agencies may ask us to enter a subject's name in this system. We will let you know before a passport is issued, even if there is no warrant or court order.

In your agency's request to add a subject's name to this system, you must include:

  • The name, date of birth, and place of birth of the subject
  • A list of the crimes you are investigating with the statutory citations
  • Reasons for the request, and
  • The names, agency addresses, and phone numbers of the law enforcement officer and supervisor whom we can contact

Send your request on official agency letterhead by mail or fax to:

U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/A
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1243
Sterling, VA 20166-1243

Fax: 202-485-6496

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Denying a Passport

Law enforcement agencies may ask us to deny a passport under 22 CFR 51.60. Some reasons to deny a passport include:

  • A valid, unsealed federal warrant of arrest
  • A federal or state criminal court order
  • A condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court)
  • A request for extradition

In your agency's request to deny a passport, you must include:

  • The name, date of birth, and place of birth of the subject
  • A copy of the valid arrest warrant or criminal court order, and
  • The names, agency addresses, and phone numbers of the law enforcement officer and supervisor whom we can contact

Send your request on official agency letterhead by mail or fax to:

U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/A
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1243
Sterling, VA 20166-1243

Fax: 202-485-6496

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Revoking a Passport

Law enforcement agencies may ask us to revoke a subject's passport under 22 CFR 51.60-65. After we revoke a U.S. passport, we inform law enforcement and border agencies around the world so the subject cannot travel.

In your agency's request to revoke a passport, you must include:

  • The subject’s name (include aliases)
  • Date and place of birth
  • Social security number
  • Known previous passport numbers
  • Last known physical address
  • Any other identity documents and photographs of the subject
  • Copies of any criminal court orders or valid arrest warrants, and
  • The names, agency addresses, and phone numbesr of the law enforcement officer and supervisor whom we can contact

Send your request on official agency letterhead by mail or fax to:

U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/A
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1243
Sterling, VA 20166-1243

Fax: 202-485-6496

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When to Keep and Return a Passport

Your agency may keep a U.S. passport as evidence and to prevent a subject from fleeing the country.

If the subject is sentenced to prison or probation under conditions which prevent leaving the United States,send the subject’s U.S. passport to us. Provide information about the date and terms of the sentencing order.

When the passport is no longer needed for law enforcement purposes and the subject is still in custody or under bond or parole, you must return the passport to this address:

U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/A
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1243
Sterling, VA 20166-1243

Let us know immediately if:

  • A subject is arrested
  • When a warrant is overturned or set aside
  • When you no longer need us to restrict use of the subject's U.S. passport

For more information on how to return passports, call us at 202-485-6400 or contact us by fax at 202-485-6496.

Last Updated: April 24, 2024

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Passport Information for Law Enforcement (2024)

FAQs

Can I leave an emergency contact blank on a passport application? ›

Emergency Contact: Providing an emergency contact is not mandatory, but is encouraged. In case of emergency this would be the Embassy's or Consulate's first Point of Contact. If your Emergency contact resides overseas, you can fill in this information by hand after printing the passport application.

What would disqualify you from getting a passport? ›

Some reasons to deny a passport include:
  • A valid, unsealed federal warrant of arrest.
  • A federal or state criminal court order.
  • A condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court)
  • A request for extradition.
Apr 24, 2024

What do passport records show? ›

Name, date and place of birth, Social Security Number, passport information, race, gender, phone number, personal address, email address, nationality, other names, employer/business contact information, biometrics/images, family information, mother's maiden name, arrests and convictions, and legal information.

How do I speak to an agent for my US passport? ›

Our primary number is 1-877-487-2778. Se habla español. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services. Contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate if you are applying outside the United States.

Who should be my emergency contact on my passport? ›

Emergency contact needs to be someone in the United States. It can be your parents' or friends' information which we can refer to in case of an emergency. If you don't have emergency contact in the U.S., you may skip this page. for minor passport application (both first-time and renewal).

Can I leave my occupation blank on my passport application? ›

Do not leave anything blank. If you're applying for the first time or with your child under age 16, wait to sign the form until you are instructed to do so. If you're renewing by mail, sign and date the form on your own.

Do I need a U.S. birth certificate to get a passport? ›

You must submit one of the following documents: U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements: Issued by the city, county, or state of birth. Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth.

Do you get a refund if your passport is denied? ›

The passport application fee and the execution fee are non-refundable. They are collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued. Our expedited service commitment is to process your passport application within # business days from the time your application is received by a passport agency.

What can void your passport? ›

Warped, bent, or curved covers or pages. Peeling plastic. Unauthorized markings: some tourist attractions will have their own 'passport stamp', but since these are not official government agencies, they could. invalidate your passport.

Does your criminal record show up when your passport is scanned? ›

When USA customs scan your passports they do not see criminal history/records. They only see criminal records if they investigate further like secondary inspection or suspect foul play when crossing.

What information can you get from someone's passport? ›

Hackers can use your passport information to source other sensitive data leaked on the Dark Web — such as your Social Security number (SSN). With this data in hand, they can contact your bank and attempt to gain access to your account, make themselves an authorized user, or even transfer money out of your savings.

Why would a passport be denied? ›

If you've failed to make payments on a loan from the Department of State you would need to pay it off before sending in your application. Certain court orders, being convicted of a felony, or if you're wanted on an arrest warrant, can also result in a passport denial.

What is the quickest I can get a passport? ›

Current Processing Times (applied on or after December 18, 2023)
Routine6 to 8 weeks
Expedited2 to 3 weeks
UrgentMust make an appointment and have international travel within 14 calendar days

How much is a U.S. passport? ›

I'm an adult (16 and older) and I'm renewing my passport
DocumentForm FillerApplication Fee
Passport BookDS-82$130
Passport CardDS-82$30
Passport Book & CardDS-82$160
Apr 22, 2024

Can you cross out a mistake on a passport application? ›

Corrections made with white-out, crossing out the incorrect information, writing the correction on top of the error, etc., are not acceptable.

Do you leave spaces on a passport application? ›

Ensure that there are no spaces left in the field.

What color ink to use on a passport application? ›

Please read all instructions first and type or print in black ink to complete this form. For information or questions, visit travel.state.gov or contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793) or NPIC@state.gov.

How do I get blank pages for my passport? ›

If you need more pages, you must renew your passport book. On your passport form, select the option for a "large book" so you can get a passport book with extra visa pages.

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