Passport Copy Requests
Request copies of your passport. US passport records are maintained starting from 1925 to present. Passport records are protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. These records may include the following:
- Passport Applications
- Consular Report of Birth
- Consular Report of Death
- Certificate of Witness to Marriage
- Certificate of Loss of Nationality
However, these records do not contain evidence of travel such as:
- Entrance or exit stamps
- Visas
- Residence permits
How to get passport records
Below are the instructions on how to request copies of passport records. It is determined by the year it was issued.
Passports issued after 1925
The Privacy Act of 1974 allows you to request copies of your passport records, your childs records and any person who you are a legal guardian of, or any person who has authorized you to request them. To get started, send a request letter for passport copy to:
US Department of State
Office of Law Enforcement Liaison
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1227
Sterling, VA 20166
The request letter for passport records must include the following:
- Full name at birth and any name changes of the individual whose records you are requesting, and if you are requesting records for your children or using an authorization, provide your full name as well
- Evidence of legal authorization if you are requesting records about anyone other than yourself, evidence of the parental or guardian relationship if you are requesting records about your minor children or legal guardian
- Date and place of birth of the individual whose records you are requesting
- Your mailing address
- Your daytime telephone number
- Your e-mail address, if available
- Date or estimated date of passport issuance
- Passport number of the person whose records you are seeking, if known, and any other information that will help us locate the records and
- A clear copy of both sides of your valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license
Below is a list of requirements for passport copies addition the the requirements listed above:
- Must be signed and notarized or made under penalty of perjury pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746
- Use Form DS-4240 to provide proof of authorization if requesting records on someone else's behalf
- Must be notarized or include a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
The process time to receivce copies of your passport records is 8 to 12 weeks. Beloiw explains any fees associated with requesting passport records.
- There are no fees to request a regular copy of your passport records, those of your minor children or any person whom you act as a guardian, or as an authorized representative
- If you wish to obtain certified copies of these records, the certification fee is $50
- If you plan to use these records in a country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, you may obtain an apostilled copy for $8
- Checks or money orders should be made payable to "US Department of State"
If you are requesting copies of passport records from someone who you do not access authorization from, then you will need to make a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request via mail. Mail your request to the following:
US Department of State
Office of Law Enforcement Liaison
FOIA Officer
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1227
Sterling, VA 20166
Passports issued 1925 or before
The National Archives and Records Administration maintain records for passport issuances prior to 1925. You may contact them at the following address:
National Archives and Records Administration
Archives 1
Reference Branch 8th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20408
Telephone: 866-325-7208 or 202-357-5411
Email: [email protected]