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Passports

A State Department employee processes stacks of passport books at the New Orleans Passport Agency.
A State Department employee processes stacks of passport books at the New Orleans Passport Agency. © AP Image
A U.S. Passport Office in downtown Washington, D.C.
A U.S. Passport Office in downtown Washington, D.C. © AP Image
The Department of State is the government agency responsible for issuing passports.
The Department of State is the government agency responsible for issuing passports. © AP Image

Overview

A U.S. passport is your key to international travel. When you present it abroad, you are requesting a foreign government to permit you to travel or temporarily reside in its territories and to have access to all lawful, local aid and protection. It gives you access to U.S. consular services and assistance overseas. Most importantly, it allows you to re-enter the United States when you return home.

The Department of State’s Passport Services Directorate issues U.S. passports to traveling Americans. It protects the integrity of the U.S. passport as proof of U.S. citizenship at home and around the world while providing the highest level of customer service, professionalism, and integrity.