And there we are, filling out a Schengen visa application or Form I-9, when all of a sudden, it requires us to indicate precise information about our passport.
We are talking about the issuing authority of a passport. But what does the issuing authority mean on passport and where is it?
Find all the answers (and more) in this article.
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What does “issue authority” mean?
An issuing authority refers to any government agency or office that has the power to issue official documents. This includes entities like state agencies, local offices, or federal departments.
What’s the issuing authority for a passport? In the US, the Department of State issues all passports to US citizens and eligible nationals under the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A passport facility that processes your application (eg. a post office) isn’t the issuing authority.
Only passport booklets issued by accredited issuing authorities will be accepted when traveling internationally or using a passport as identification means abroad.
Pro tip: When booking a flight, you might be asked to provide your passport’s issuing country. Note that it’s different to the issuing authority, and you’re only meant to write the country that issued your passport, e.g., USA.
Where can I find my passport issuing authority?
US passport holders usually need help finding the issuing authority in a passport. Considering that a standard passport book is 32 pages, it makes sense.
Every passport holder can find the passport issuing authority indicated in the passport’s lower right part of the photo page.
Here’s where to find the issuing authority on passport:

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Passport Photo Online: ID photos for official applications
After providing the name of the issuing authority of a passport, petitioners will most likely be asked to submit an ID photo in order to complete the application, whether digital or printed.
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FAQ
Here readers can find questions regarding the issuing authority of a passport.
What do you mean by issuing authority in a passport?
What is the authority that issued the passport?
How to find the passport issuing authority?
What to write in issuing authority in IELTS registration?
What is the issuing authority for a passport on an I-9?
How to check the issuing authority of a passport?
Issuing authority of a passport: summary
When speaking about a passport’s issuing authority, this is the official body issuing passports in a given country. In the case of a US passport, the issuing authority is specifically the US Department Of State.
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Alejandro is a writer with 5+ years of experience. He graduated in English philology and holds an MA in Multilingual and Intercultural Communication. In his spare time, he improves recipes, seeking to delight his tastebuds.