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Frequently Asked Questions for Special-Issuance Agency
Find answers to common questions about special-issuance passports.
Preparing to apply
Employees and Eligible Family Members can follow the steps on each of our pages:
You must submit documents with your application to prove why you need a special-issuance passport. Requirements vary by agency, the type of passport you are requesting, and your employment status, like direct hire or contractor.
If you have questions, please contact your agency’s passport acceptance agent before submitting an application.
Yes. Your dependents who are approved to come with you on official assignments abroad must have their own special-issuance passport.
We issue service passports in limited cases to non-personal services contractors traveling in support of the U.S. government. When applying for a service passport, you must explain why you need this passport instead of using a regular passport.
Yes. All special-issuance passports contain an endorsement that describes why you are traveling.
For example: “The bearer is abroad on a diplomatic assignment for the United States Government.”
It is important to travel using a passport with the correct endorsement. An incorrect endorsement could delay obtaining foreign visas, residency cards, or create confusion when traveling overseas.
We have routine and expedited service. Our processing times may vary during the year based on demand for special-issuance passports.
Applying for a service passport
In 2016, the Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions distributed 1 service passport exemplar to each foreign embassy in the United States. Each U.S. post should have received 2 exemplars: 1 for use in the consular section and 1 to be given to the appropriate agency within the host government. Posts that did not receive exemplars may request them by emailing ca-ppt-sia-passports@state.gov.
No. A service passport only attests that the bearer is traveling on business in support of the U.S. government. It implies no other status. No special-issuance passport confers diplomatic immunity or any other special status.
Non-personal services contractors generally assigned to post would fall under COM authority. Additionally, most contracts with the U.S. government provide the COM with the right to remove a NPSC from the host country.
The service passport is classified as an official document. However, it is up to the host country to decide who can apply for entry through the diplomatic passport line. In most cases, countries only allow diplomatic passport holders to apply.
Using your passport
Only in rare cases. Generally, if you need another type of special-issuance passport, you must return your valid passport to your agency's travel office or SIA and apply for a new one.
You must use your special-issuance passport when traveling overseas for your official duties. Use a regular passport for personal travel.
You may need a diplomatic or official visa depending on your passport. We have country-specific information about visa requirements if you are traveling with a special-issuance passport.
Some countries require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not let you board if this requirement is not met.
Find the issue date of your passport on the bio page of your passport book.
Check our destination information to learn about requirements for the destination where you are traveling.
Replacing and returning your passport
If you have not received your passport within 2 weeks after we issued it, contact us. We may ask you to complete Form DS-86.
Fill out Form DS-64 online immediately and inform your agency's travel office. When you report it lost or stolen, we will invalidate it so it cannot be used for travel.
If you are abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
When replacing your lost or stolen passport, you must submit Form DS-11.
Returning your special-issuance passport should be part of your bureau or agency's checkout process.
If you are transferring to another job, your new agency can request to transfer your passport by coordinating with the old agency's travel office.
You also may return the passport to us if you no longer need it.
Yes. If you have a diplomatic, official, or service passport that is valid for 1 year or more, you can place it on file with us.
Placing a passport on file means:
- You do not have to submit a new application.
- Your federal agency does not have to pay the Department of State to process a new application.
When we return a passport:
- If your passport has more than 6 months’ validity, we can return it to your federal agency if you need to travel again.
- If you accidentally send us a valid, regular passport, we will work to return it.
When we destroy a passport:
- If you send us a passport that has less than 6 months’ validity, we will destroy it. In this case, you will need to apply for a new passport using Form DS-11.
- If you send us a valid, no-fee regular passport, we may destroy the passport.
Miscellaneous
Federal law requires that you provide your social security number, if you have one.
If you do not provide the information, your passport application will be delayed and your application may be denied.
Contact the Social Security Administration for information about getting a social security number and card.
If you don't have a social security number, submit a signed and dated statement with your application. You must include the statement with the application and include this text:
“I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I (or my child) have never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration.”
We will not issue diplomatic, official, or service passports to applicants certified as sex offenders.
In certain circumstances, a no-fee regular passport may be issued with an endorsement that the individual is a sex offender. The endorsement will also indicate that the bearer is abroad on a diplomatic or official assignment for the U.S. government, or as an Eligible Family Member.
Department of Defense (DoD) applicants certified as sex offenders must follow DoD guidance. All DoD uniform services and their Eligible Family Members should refer to DoDI 1315.18. All DoD civilian members and their Eligible Family Members should contact DoD's Directorate of Executive Travel for further action.
We may approve a second special-issuance passport in limited circumstances when:
- A foreign country will deny a visa or entry to you because of markings or visas showing travel to certain countries.
- Your position requires frequent travel to countries that require a visa, and a second passport allows you to travel despite delays in processing foreign visa applications.
- Your primary passport no longer has blank visa pages, but cancellation of the primary passport will invalidate a current foreign visa.
You must follow all steps to apply and include:
- A memo on official letterhead from the organization or bureau sponsoring your travel justifying the need for your second passport
- A statement that the loss of either your primary or second passport will be reported to the Department of State immediately
A second, special-issuance passport will usually have 1 year less validity than the primary passport. These second passports have a minimum validity of 1 year and maximum validity of 4 years.
Federal agencies and Department of State bureaus reimburse the Bureau of Consular Affairs for the cost of processing special-issuance passport applications.
We will inform federal agencies and Department of State bureaus of the total number of applications submitted on behalf of their employees, Eligible Family Members, and contractors.
We stop processing any application that lacks the entire federal agency authorization document. We use the information in the authorization document to seek reimbursement through the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Comptroller’s Office.
We do not collect fees from applicants directly.