The Secretary of State may grant and issue passports, and cause passports to be granted, issued, and verified in foreign countries by diplomatic and consular officers of the United States, and by such other employees of the Department of State who are citizens of the United States as the Secretary of State may designate, and by the chief or other executive officer of the insular possessions of the United States, under such rules as the President shall designate and prescribe for and on behalf of the United States, and no other person shall grant, issue, or verify such passports. Unless authorized by law, a passport may not be designated as restricted for travel to or for use in any country other than a country with which the United States is at war, where armed hostilities are in progress, or where there is imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of United States travellers.
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–415, §1(b)(1), substituted "such other employees" for "such employees".
Pub. L. 103–415, §1(b)(2), which directed the amendment of this section by substituting "United States" for "United States," was executed by making the substitution after "who are citizens of the", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 103–236 substituted "by diplomatic and consular officers of the United States, and by other employees of the Department of State who are citizens of the United States," for "by diplomatic representatives of the United States, and by such consul generals, consuls, or vice consuls when in charge,".
1978—Pub. L. 95–426 inserted provision prohibiting passport restrictions except for countries with which the United States is at war, where armed hostilities are in progress or there is imminent danger to the public health or physical safety of United States travellers.
Short Title of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–167, §1, Jan. 10, 2006, 119 Stat. 3578, provided that: "This Act [amending section 214 of this title] may be cited as the 'Passport Services Enhancement Act of 2005'."
Limitations on Use of Funds for Procurement of Paper for Passports
Pub. L. 100–440, title VI, §617(b), Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1755, provided that: "None of the funds made available by this or any other Act with respect to any fiscal year may be used to procure paper for passports granted or issued pursuant to the first section of the Act entitled 'An Act to regulate the issue and validity of passports, and for other purposes', approved July 3, 1926 (22 U.S.C. 211a), if such paper is manufactured outside of the United States or its possessions or is procured from any corporation or other entity owned or controlled by persons not citizens of the United States. This subsection shall not apply if no domestic manufacturer for passport paper exists."
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation act:
Pub. L. 100–202, §101(m) [title VI, §622(b)], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–390, 1329–428.
Persons Entitled to Diplomatic or Official United States Passport
Pub. L. 95–426, title I, §125, Oct. 7, 1978, 92 Stat. 971, provided that: "It is the sense of the Congress that a diplomatic or official United States passport should be issued only to, and used only by, a person who holds a diplomatic or other official position in the United States Government or who is otherwise eligible for such a passport under conditions specifically authorized by law."
Ex. Ord. No. 11295. Rules Governing Granting, Issuing, and Verifying of Passports
Ex. Ord. No. 11295, Aug. 5, 1966, 31 F.R. 10603, provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, and as President of the United States, it is ordered as follows:
(1) Executive Order No. 7856 of March 31, 1938, entitled "Rules Governing the Granting and Issuing of Passports in the United States."
(2) Executive Order No. 8820 of July 11, 1941, entitled "Amending the Foreign Service Regulations of the United States."
Lyndon B. Johnson.