Federal agency
The Bureau of Consular Affairs is part of the U.S. Department of State. Passport Services within the bureau issues U.S. passports and manages passport application policy and operations.
What it manages
- U.S. passport applications, renewals, replacements, records, fees, and processing options.
- Visa adjudication and screening for foreign nationals seeking to travel to or immigrate to the United States.
- Information and assistance for U.S. citizens abroad, including emergencies and travel information.
- Intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, and certain document and consular-record services.
What it does not manage
- State driver licenses, state identification cards, vehicle registration, and REAL ID issuance.
- USCIS petitions, Green Cards, naturalization applications, or other domestic immigration-benefit decisions.
- Airline entry rules or another country's final decision to admit a traveler.
Official channels
- Travel.State.Gov — official consular services portal
- U.S. Passports
- International travel information and assistance
- About the Bureau of Consular Affairs
Passport filing locations
Acceptance facilities receive many new applications on behalf of the Department of State. Passport agencies and centers handle qualifying urgent travel and require appointments. Eligible adults may renew online or by mail instead of appearing at an acceptance facility.
Related resources
- Get or renew a U.S. passport
- Expedite a passport application
- Online passport renewal eligibility
- Passport acceptance facility
- Passport application document checklist
- U.S. Department of State
Document authentication
The bureau includes the Office of Authentications, which issues federal apostille and authentication certificates for eligible documents used abroad. State documents normally begin with the issuing jurisdiction.