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Steps to Apply for or Renew a Special-Issuance Passport
Learn how to apply for a special-issuance passport for travel on official or diplomatic duties for the U.S. government.
About special-issuance passports
A special-issuance passport is for travel on official or diplomatic duties for the U.S. government. You can use it as long as you have the position or status for which we issued it. Special-issuance passports are not for personal travel other than entering or exiting your country of assignment.
Special-issuance passports are the property of the U.S. government. You will need to return it when you leave your service.
A special-issuance passport does not:
- Provide diplomatic immunity
- Exempt you from foreign laws, including customs, immigration, or labor laws
- Allow you to carry classified or sensitive material across international borders
- Allow you to avoid questions by foreign immigration officials or to ignore security checkpoints
- Provide a shield from arrest
- Shield you from the dangers of war, criminal violence, or terrorism
- Grant benefits to you which you are not otherwise entitled
You may face increased scrutiny by foreign governments and other entities when using a special-issuance passport.
Eligibility
Special-issuance passports are:
- Issued to U.S. government employees, personal services contractors, and their Eligible Family Members
- Issued in limited circumstances to non-personal services contractors
- Not valid for personal travel
- Subject to different lengths of validity depending on your position, passport type, and need to travel, but may be valid for up to 5 years
Learn what to do after you get your special-issuance passport, how to sign it, tips for safe travel, and information on protecting and returning your passport.
We also help you get foreign visas for travel on behalf of the U.S. government.
How to apply or renew
How you apply depends on what agency you work for and if you are going on a permanent change of station (PCS) or temporary duty (TDY).
These steps only provide an overview of the process. Make sure you navigate to and follow the appropriate steps for your employer.
Detailed Special Issuance instructions are restricted to federal government IP addresses. You can get access by following these steps.
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Federal agency Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY) Submit a request to Human Resources on the Department's intranet.
Submit a letter of authorization signed by an authorized signatory in your bureau's executive office or family-level executive office.
Submit DD Form 1056 at a DoD passport facility or contact the DoD Passport and Visa Office.
Include a copy of your approved travel orders.
Submit DD Form 1056 at a DoD passport facility or contact the DoD Passport and Visa Office.
Submit a letter of authorization signed by an authorized official from your agency.
Include a copy of your approved travel orders.
Submit a letter of authorization signed by an authorized official from your agency.
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- Use our Form Filler tool on a computer. Print it on single-sided paper. We do not accept double-sided forms.
- If you are applying for a child under age 16, both parents or guardians will need to appear in person with the child.
- If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download Form DS-11 if you are applying for the first time. Use Form DS-82 if you are renewing your special-issuance passport.
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- You must provide 1 passport photo taken within the last 6 months with your application. Visit Passport Photos for photo requirements and to review examples.
- Do not attach or staple your photo to the form if using a DS-11. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it for you.
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- If you are in the United States and have a special-issuance passport, you are required to submit it as evidence of U.S. citizenship.
- If you are in the United States and do not have a special-issuance passport, but have a regular passport, you may submit a photocopy of it as evidence of U.S. citizenship.
- If you are not in the United States and have a special-issuance passport, you may submit a photocopy of it as evidence of U.S. citizenship. Do not submit the original passport. Contact a U.S. embassy or consulate or acceptance facility for instructions if you’re assigned to a military installation.
- If you are not in the United States and do not have a special-issuance passport, but have a regular passport, you may submit a photocopy of it. Do not submit the original passport. Contact a U.S. embassy or consulate or acceptance facility for instructions if you’re assigned to a military installation.
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If you are not eligible to renew your passport, provide your original, government-issued photo ID and a clear photocopy of the front and back of this ID.
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- Department of State employees should visit Where to Apply.
- Department of Defense employees should contact the DoD Passport and Visa Office, or nearest DoD passport facility.
- Other federal agency employees should contact their agency.
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We will send status updates to the email address you provided on your application. Make sure to use your work email and not your personal email.
You can also check the Online Passport Status System from a device with a government IP address.
Getting a visa
- Many countries have more visa requirements if you have a special-issuance passport.
- Having an official or diplomatic visa does not result in diplomatic status or immunity.
- For more information on visa requirements, go to Official and Diplomatic Visa Information. You must be on a U.S. government-issued computer or mobile device.
- If you do not have access to OpenNet and need to contact our Visa Office, use our SIA Contact Us Portal.
About special-issuance passports
We issue 4 types of special-issuance passports: diplomatic, official, service, and no-fee regular.
Diplomatic passport
You may be eligible for a diplomatic passport if:
- You are a U.S. federal government employee or eligible family member of a U.S. federal government employee serving the United States abroad under Chief of Mission authority.
- You have been granted diplomatic or consular title by the Department of State.
We review your employment information, foreign destination, job duties, and authorization documents to see if you are entitled to receive a diplomatic passport.
Official passport
Official passports are for employees of the U.S. government, personal services contractors, and their Eligible Family Members traveling for official duties.
In most cases, members of the U.S. Armed Forces may enter and exit foreign countries where the United States has a Status of Forces Agreement, like NATO countries, by showing their military ID card and travel orders. When this occurs, we issue no-fee regular passports to Eligible Family Members.
Service passport
We issue service passports on a limited basis to non-personal services contractors. The contractors must be supporting the U.S. government with travel that cannot be done using a regular passport.
No-fee passports
Most U.S. passports are regular, fee passports and known as "tourist" passports. No-fee, regular passport books are different. They do not require payment. They also have a special endorsement showing the travel status of the person holding the passport. For example, we issue these passports to Peace Corps Volunteers, U.S. seamen employed on U.S. flag vessels, certain individuals traveling on Department of Defense orders, and more.