22 U.S.C. § 211a - Authority to grant, issue, and verify passports

• Cite as: 22 U.S.C. § 211a

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.

Cite as 22 U.S.C. § 211a

Source: July 3, 1926, ch. 772, §1, 44 Stat. 887; Pub. L. 95-426, title I, §124, Oct. 7, 1978, 92 Stat. 971; Pub. L. 103-236, title I, §127(a), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 394; Pub. L. 103-415, §1(b), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4299.

Notes from the Office of Law Revision Counsel

current through 12/28/2021

EDITORIAL NOTES

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.

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

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'."