• A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
  • All
Filter Countries

Getting a Passport On or After Probation or Parole

This page includes information about:

  • Applying for a U.S. passport if you are on or have completed probation or parole
  • Getting back your valid U.S. passport if a court or law enforcement agency took it as part of a criminal matter before a U.S. court and sent it to us

If your passport is reported lost or stolen, revoked, or expired, then we cannot return it to you.  

Applying for a New U.S. Passport

Applying for a new passport is separate from the process of requesting that we return your passport. Follow the steps to Apply in Person for a new U.S. passport if:

  • Your passport - which a court or law enforcement agency took and sent to us - has expired, or
  • You are on or have completed probation or parole

Please include one of these documents with your application:

  • A discharge notice from your probation officer,
  • A letter of termination from your probation officer, or
  • A court order ending your supervised probation or parole

ALL / ALL /

Requesting the Return of Your Valid U.S. Passport

We need a letter from you requesting the return of your valid passport. Get it notarized at a notary public who witnesses your signature and checks your identity. The letter must include:

  • Name of the court or agency which took your passport
  • Your full name 
  • Date of birth 
  • Contact phone number 
  • Mailing address
  • Social Security Number
  • Copy of valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license)

If you are on or have recently completed probation or parole, your probation officer must send us a letter or email that says we can return the passport to you. The letter or email must have the:

  • Official letterhead or email address of the probation office,
  • Probation officer’s signature,
  • Officer’s phone number, government email address, and mailing address, and
  • Your scheduled probation completion date

If you completed probation or parole, you may submit a discharge notice or court order ending supervised probation or parole.

Submit both letters by email or mail:

  1. Email: PPTReturnRequests@state.gov
  2. Mail:

U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/A/RA
44132 Mercure Circle
P.O. Box 1243
Sterling, VA 20166-1243

Email PPTReturnRequests@state.gov to get a status update about your request to return your passport. 

Our office cannot provide an update on the status of your application for a new passport. Go to our Online Passport Status System to get the status for your application. 

Last Updated: June 13, 2024