Libraries Stripped of Passport Services in New State Department Directive

Sun Feb 15 2026 00:44:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A new directive from the U.S. State Department has halted passport services at many public libraries across the country, affecting community access to essential services. Advocates voice concerns for impacted families and rural residents.

The U.S. State Department's recent cease and desist order has removed passport processing capabilities from several public libraries across the country, disrupting long-standing services that communities have come to rely on. This unexpected change has raised concerns among local leaders and library officials about the accessibility of essential passport services, particularly for underserved populations. Bipartisan congressional efforts are now underway to propose legislation that would allow certain libraries to continue these services.

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — The U.S. State Department has ordered certain public libraries nationwide to cease processing passport applications, disrupting a long-standing service that librarians say their communities have come to rely on and that has run smoothly for years.

The agency began issuing cease and desist orders to not-for-profit libraries in late fall, informing them they were no longer authorized to participate in the Passport Acceptance Facility program as of Friday.

“We still get calls daily seeking that service,” said Cathleen Special, executive director of the Otis Library in Norwich, Connecticut, where passport services were offered for 18 years but ceased in November after receiving the letter. “Our community was so used to us offering this.”

A State Department spokesperson stated that the order was given because federal law and regulations “clearly prohibit non-governmental organizations” from collecting and retaining fees for a passport application. Government-run libraries are not impacted.

The spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding why this has become an issue now and exactly how many libraries are affected by the cease and desist order. However, they mentioned that “passport services have over 7,500 acceptance facilities nationwide and the libraries found ineligible make up less than one percent of our total network.”

The American Library Association estimates that about 1,400 mostly non-profit public libraries nationwide could potentially be affected, representing approximately 15% of all public libraries that offer passport services.

Democratic and Republican members of Congress from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland are pushing back, sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking him to extend the existing program until Congress finds a permanent solution.

“In a time when demand for passports is surging, libraries are among the most accessible passport acceptance facilities, particularly for working families and rural residents,” the members wrote.

The letter emphasized that many people would now have to travel long distances or take unpaid time off work to obtain their passports due to the change. Lawmakers have pointed out that as the demand for passports increases, such services become even more crucial for underserved communities.

Pennsylvania Representatives Madeleine Dean (D) and John Joyce (R) are leading bipartisan legislation that would amend the Passport Act of 1920, allowing non-profit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities. Dean highlighted the absurdity of the State Department’s interpretation of the law, indicating that such facilities are vital.

This legal change has caused considerable disruption, particularly in areas where public libraries are the primary entity assisting with passport applications. Local libraries have provided essential services that accommodate specific community needs, such as language assistance and flexible hours, making the shift to alternate facilities challenging for families.

“The burden now falls on them, and that’s tough,” said Special, referring to the local post office that may have to absorb this demand. “It was such a popular service that we provided.”