Passports

Official and Diplomatic Passports

Official and diplomatic passports are issued only in Washington, D.C. by the Special Issuance Agency (SIA) to employees of the U.S. government traveling or on assignment abroad on official business.  However, the Consular Section can accept applications and forward them to Washington, D.C. for processing.

To apply for an official or diplomatic passport, you must present:

• Either a completed but unsigned passport application DS-11 (if this is the first time you have applied for any kind of passport) or a completed DS-82  (if you have a tourist passport or are renewing your diplomatic or official passport)
• two passport photographs
• original proof of citizenship or certified copy (e.g. U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Citizenship)
• one valid form of photo identification (e.g. foreign passport, driver's license, military ID, etc.)
• typed and signed DD-1056 (if you are with the Department of Defense)
• copy of your orders from your Department or Agency and a memorandum from your headquarters office outlining the need for an official or diplomatic passport (if you are from a Department or Agency other than DoD) 
• copy of your travel authorization and your contract (for 3161 contractors)

There is no fee for an official or diplomatic passport.

The current turnaround time from the SIA for official or diplomatic passport is a minimum of 2 months.  When planning on renewing your official or diplomatic passport, also note that some foreign governments require a minimum of 6 months validity remaining before your passport expiration date for certain visas.

For updates on the status of your official or diplomatic passport application, please contact SIA directly:

Email: Travel-Diplomatic@state.gov

Phone: 202-955-0200

Mail: Special Issuance Agency, 1111 19th Street NW, Suite-350, Washington, DC

Website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/nofee/nofee_836.html