The passport identifier provision of International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders (IML) (Public Law 114-119) went into effect on October 31, 2017.
International Megan's Law prohibits the Department of State from issuing a passport to a covered sex offender without a unique identifier, and it allows for the revocation of passports previously issued to these individuals that do not contain the identifier (22 USC 212b).
The identifier is a passport endorsement, currently printed inside the back cover of 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 DHS/ICE Angel Watch Center (AWC) can certify an individual as a “covered sex offender.” Please direct all questions about such status to AWC.
Applicants who have questions for AWC regarding their status or believe they have been wrongly identified as a covered sex offender as defined in Title 22 United States Code 212b(c)(1) should contact AWC at dhsintermeganslaw@ice.dhs.gov.
The U.S. Marshals Service is another resource with more detailed information on International Megan’s Law and international travel.
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 submit a signed statement with your application that says you are a covered sex offender under International Megan’s Law.
If you currently have a valid U.S. passport book without the proper endorsement and/or any valid U.S. passport card, you will need to return them with your application for a new U.S. passport. You must submit a signed statement that says you are a covered sex offender under International Megan’s Law, and include the U.S. passport(s) with your application.
Please note: Covered sex offenders cannot be issued U.S. passport cards. (22 C.F.R. § 51.60(g)).
No. Covered sex offenders cannot be issued U.S. passport cards (22 C.F.R. § 51.60(g)). You can apply for a U.S. passport book which will be issued with a unique endorsement.
Please contact the DHS/ICE Angel Watch Center via email dhsintermeganslaw@ice.dhs.gov before you apply for a U.S. passport for more information on covered sex offenders and International Megan’s Law.
You will need to return the revoked U.S. passport and submit a Form DS-11 application for a U.S. passport book. You must apply in person for a new passport and pay the appropriate fees. Please note that covered sex offenders cannot be issued U.S. passport cards (22 C.F.R. § 51.60(g)).
Please contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 on Mondays-Fridays (8am-10pm ET). Customer service representatives will assist you.
Contact the DHS/ICE Angel Watch Center (AWC) via email at dhsintermeganslaw@ice.dhs.gov.
Contact the DHS/ICE Angel Watch Center via email at dhsintermeganslaw@ice.dhs.gov for more information on covered sex offenders and International Megan's Law. If a sex offender is a covered sex offender under International Megan's Law, he or she should follow the guidance on this webpage on how to apply for a U.S. passport book which has the unique endorsement.
