An American passport is an internationally recognized document that identifies the traveler as an American citizen or national, and also functions as a valid photo ID. In addition, passport is necessary to cross any international border. The authority to grant American passports is reserved to the Bureau of Consular Services, a branch of the Federal Government in the State Department.

You get an American passport from the State Department, or through a private passport expediter. Although passport expediters provide passport services, they are not themselves issuing the passport--they are simply speeding up the process by which you get a passport from the State Department. It is a federal offense to falsely issue or to forge an American passport.

Keep Your American Passport Safe

American travelers should be very protective of their passports when traveling abroad. They are a common target of thieves and pickpockets, and are often worth more than the money a traveler may be carrying. Since an American passport is proof of US citizenship, illegal immigrants and border sharks often modify or steal American passports to gain entry into the country.

If an American passport is lost or stolen, its absence should be reported immediately. You cannot leave the United States without your passport. In addition, reporting your passport missing in a timely fashion minimizes the chances that it could be misused.