Can’t pick up your new passport and you’re wondering if someone can do it for you? Yes, they can! All you need is a passport letter of authorization giving someone the official authority to collect your passport on your behalf.
But how do you do that? Keep reading for the answers, including a letter template that’s ready to use.
By the end of this article, you’ll know precisely:
- What is a passport letter of authorization?
- How do you authorize someone to pick up your passport?
- How can someone collect my passport on my behalf?
Looking for more passport-related articles? These pieces might interest you:
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- Photocopy of a Passport: All You Need to Know
- US Passport Fees: Complete Information for 2023
What is a passport letter of authorization?
In a nutshell, a passport letter of authorization is an official document (written and signed by you) giving a third party “the power of attorney” to collect your passport for you. Now, who can legally collect a passport in your name?
- Another individual (e.g., a family member or friend)
- Company (when using an outside service to apply for your US passport)
Important! Suppose you want someone to collect several passports, for example, for your whole family. In that case, you must write separate letters of authorization—you’re not allowed to list more than one document to be picked up in the same letter.
How do you authorize someone to pick up your passport?
Letters of authorization are official documents, and for that reason they must follow a strict format to be considered legitimate by the US Department of State’s passport agency. In this section, you’ll learn what elements your letter must include, based on the authorities’ recommendations.
- Appropriate heading, for example, “Letter of Authorization for Passport Pickup.”
- Clear statement giving a power of attorney to collect a passport on your behalf.
- Applicant’s contact details: your full name (the same as in the passport), a contact number, and your ID number (e.g., driver’s license).
- Details of the person you authorize: their full name, ID number, and contact information.
- If you’re giving authority to a courier company, the details must include: the company name, address, and phone number.
- Your signature (handwritten, in blue/black ink) with a date.
Generally, there’s no information on whether your letter of authorization for passport collection can be fully handwritten or not. However, we advise you to type it out to avoid readability issues.
Have a look at this authorization letter template to get a better idea of what it should look like.
Passport pickup letter of authorization template
To let a third party successfully collect your US passport in your name, your letter of authority must meet all requirements. Avoid errors by following this sample passport authorization letter or download our printable template in PDF format—ready to fill out.
Note that sometimes you may want to authorize an expediting company (for example, when renewing your passport with USPS or FedEx) to collect your passport and submit your passport application in your name. If that’s your case, your introductory statement should also include this fact. For example:
I, Jane Joanne Doe, authorize the company stated below to submit my passport application to a passport agency and collect my passport from a US passport agency on my behalf.
How can someone collect my passport on my behalf?
When you authorize a private individual other than yourself, such as your family member, to pick up your passport, they’ll need to bring with them the necessary documents to the passport acceptance facility:
- Letter of authorization for passport collection (like the example above)
- Photocopy of your government-issued photo ID (the same one you reference in the letter)
- Their own government-issued ID (as stated in the letter)
This way, a passport acceptance agent will be able to verify the identity of the authorized person and be legally allowed to hand over your US passport without any issues.
Getting photos for official documents at a photography studio or your nearby Walgreens is a thing of the past! Now you can get photos for your US passport, visa, or other identity documents online from home with Passport Photo Online—100% acceptance guaranteed.
FAQ
What is a letter of authorization for a passport?
Can someone collect my passport on my behalf?
• Their government-issued photo ID
• A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID
• A passport pickup authorization letter signed by you
Can an authorization letter for passports be handwritten?
Do I need an an authorization letter to pick up a child passport?
Authorization letter for passport pickup: recap
Passport letters of authorization are necessary if you’re unable to collect your new travel document in person. With this document, a designated person or courier company will be able to pick up a passport on the applicant’s behalf without any issues. Here’s what a certified authorization letter must contain:
- Appropriate headline.
- Statement clarifying the extent of your authorization.
- Your personal details and contact information.
- Personal/company details and contact information of the authorized entity.
- Date and your handwritten signature.
That’s it! Download our printable sample authorization letter for passport pickup and rest easy knowing an authorized person will collect your travel document.
Sylwia is a skilled writer with a BA in English Studies and an active SPJ member. For nearly three years now, she’s been writing captivating articles for international companies, turning her lifelong passion into a career.
