Passports and International Megan's Law

International Megan's Law prohibits us from issuing a passport to a covered sex offender without a unique identifier. The law allows us to revoke passports previously issued to these individuals that do not contain the identifier (22 USC 212b).

The identifier is a 'passport endorsement' printed inside the passport book which reads: “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212b(c)(l).” Since endorsements cannot be printed on passport cards, covered sex offenders cannot be issued passport cards.

Only the Angel Watch Center (AWC) in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (DHS/ICE) can certify an individual as a covered sex offender. You can email AWC at dhsintermeganslaw@ice.dhs.gov with questions about a unique identifier on your current passport book or previous notifications to a foreign country about your international travel.

The U.S. Marshals Service is another resource with more detailed information on International Megan’s Law and international travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do covered sex offenders apply for a new U.S. passport book with the proper endorsement?

If you were never issued a U.S. passport or if your passport is expired, please apply in person for a new one. You must self-identify as a sex offender by submitting a signed statement with your application that says you are a covered sex offender under International Megan’s Law. 

If you have a valid passport book without the proper endorsement, or a valid passport card and would like an endorsement on a passport book, you will need to reapply. You must:

  • Apply in person using Form DS-11,
  • Return any unendorsed U.S. passport you have,
  • Return any valid U.S. passport card you have been issued,
  • Pay fees, and
  • Submit a signed statement that says you are a covered sex offender under International Megan’s Law. The statement can be handwritten or a hardcopy of a typed statement. 

Covered sex offenders cannot be issued U.S. passport cards. 

 

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Can covered sex offenders receive a U.S. passport card?

No. Covered sex offenders cannot be issued U.S. passport cards. You can apply for a U.S. passport book which will be issued with a unique endorsement.

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I received a letter that my valid U.S. passport was revoked because I am a covered sex offender. What should I do?

You will need to return the revoked U.S. passport to us. If you want to apply for a new passport, you must:

  • Apply in person for a passport book using Form DS-11,
  • Pay passport fees, and
  • Submit a signed statement that says you are covered sex offender under International Megan's Law. The statement can be handwritten or a hardcopy of a typed statement. 

Covered sex offenders cannot be issued U.S. passport cards.

Last Updated: February 3, 2023