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Return of Surrendered Passports

This page provides information about how you can request your valid, unexpired U.S. passport if you surrendered it, or gave it up, to a court or law enforcement agency as part of a criminal matter before a U.S. court. 

If your passport has been reported lost or stolen, we cannot return it to you.  

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Requesting your Surrendered Passport

1. Write a Letter

We need a notarized letter from you requesting the return of your valid, unexpired passport. A notarized letter means that a notary public witnesses your signature and verifies your identity. The letter must include:

  • Name of the court or agency to which you surrendered your passport 
  • Your full name 
  • Date of birth 
  • Contact phone number 
  • Mailing address
  • Social Security number
  • Copy of valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license)
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2. Have Your Probation Officer Send Us a Letter

If you are currently under supervised release or probation (or have recently completed it), your probation officer must write a letter to us authorizing release of the passport to you. The letter must:

  • Be on official letterhead
  • Be signed
  • Include the officer’s current phone number, government email address, and mailing address
  • Your scheduled probation completion date
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3. How to Contact Us

You may submit your documents in one of three ways:

  1. Email: PPTReturnRequests@state.gov
  2. Fax: (202) 485-6496
  3. Mail:

U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/A/RA
44132 Mercure Circle
P.O. Box 1243
Sterling, VA 20166-1243

Status Update on Your Request

If you've already submitted your documents, email PPTReturnRequests@state.gov for a status update. 

Last Updated: May 1, 2023