State Department Updates the Records Behind Your Passport Identity
Published Date: 10/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of State is updating its Passport Services Records system, which helps prove U.S. identity for things like passports, jobs, and voting. Some new rules will take effect right away, but a few changes will open for public comments until November 23, 2026. If no big issues pop up, those changes will kick in right after, with no extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Passport Records Used for ID Checks
Your passport records can be shared with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. state driver's licensing or identification authorities to confirm passport authenticity and to support employment eligibility checks (E-Verify). This means passport information may be used when you apply for a driver's license or when employers verify your identity for hiring.
Passport Data Shared with IRS for Tax Actions
The Department of State may disclose passport records to the Internal Revenue Service for mailing and permanent addresses in connection with tax collection, examinations, and related activities, and will annually transmit certain data from passport applications for U.S. citizens residing abroad consistent with 26 U.S.C. 6039E. This applies to passport applicants and U.S. citizens living abroad.
Passport Records Moving to Government Cloud
Passport Services records will be stored in a government cloud overseen by the Department's Enterprise Server Operations Center and are subject to cloud security requirements: data in cloud systems above a low FISMA impact level must be encrypted at rest and in-transit, encryption keys are to be controlled by the Department, and high-impact systems face continuous auditing, multifactor authentication, and other NIST/FISMA controls.
Breach-Response Sharing and Verification Uses
New routine uses (u), (v), and (w) allow the Department to share Passport Services records with appropriate agencies and entities when the Department suspects or confirms a breach, to assist incident response and to prevent or remediate harm. Routine use (w) also permits a range of government and non-profit entities to use federal verification platforms to verify identity or citizenship for voter eligibility and other governmental services. Comments on these routine uses are due by November 23, 2026; unless revised by comment, they will become effective on November 23, 2026.
Privacy Act Access Limited to Citizens and LPRs
To request access to or amendment of records under the Privacy Act, the requester must be a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Individuals seeking records or to contest records in Passport Services must follow the Department of State Information Access Programs procedures.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
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The U.S. Department of State wants to update the rules that control the export of military gear and tech to focus only on the most sensitive stuff. They’re making the list clearer, removing some items, and adding new ways to skip licenses for certain exports. If you deal with defense exports, get ready to review these changes and send your thoughts by November 30, 2026!
2026-17655, Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas
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2026-04931, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services-Fee for Administrative Processing of Request for Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States
Good news for U.S. citizens and nationals who want to give up their citizenship! Starting April 13, 2026, the fee for processing a Certificate of Loss of Nationality drops from $2,350 to just $450. This big price cut makes it way easier and cheaper to handle this important paperwork at U.S. embassies and consulates.
2025-17851, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates-Visa Services Fee Changes
The Department of State is adding a $1 fee to enter the Diversity Visa lottery to share costs more fairly among all applicants. This means everyone who wants to try their luck at the visa lottery will pay a small fee upfront, instead of only winners paying later. The new fee will start when you register online, so get ready to pay a buck when you apply!
2025-14826, Visas: Visa Bond Pilot Program
The Department of State is launching a 12-month pilot program where some travelers applying for B-1/B-2 visas from certain countries might need to pay a bond up to $15,000. This applies to visitors from places with high visa overstays or special citizenship rules. The goal? To make sure folks follow visa rules and keep travel safe and fair.
2026-21662, 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Two (2) Passport Services Information Collections: Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America and Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage, and Support
The Department of State is updating two important passport-related forms: one for reporting a U.S. citizen’s birth abroad and another for confirming physical presence, parentage, and support. If you’re a U.S. citizen or parent applying for these services, you might see some changes soon. The government wants your feedback by December 22, 2026, to make sure the forms work smoothly without costing extra time or money.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21694, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The Department of State has officially ended the use of the 'Board of Appellate Review Records' system, which handled appeals about losing U.S. nationality or passport issues. This change affects anyone involved in those appeals before 2008, with all records now properly disposed of or moved by May 2024. No new costs or delays are expected, just a cleaner, simpler records system!
Next: 2026-21696, Notice of Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement for Basing F-35A Lightning II Formal Training Unit at Kingsley Field ANGB, Klamath Falls, Oregon
The Air Force has decided to base a squadron of 26 F-35A fighter jets at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. This means new training, construction, and operations will start soon, boosting local military activity and jobs. The decision balances environmental concerns with national defense needs and follows public input.