Passports
Official and Diplomatic Passports
Official and diplomatic passports are issued only in Washington, DC by the Special Issuance Agency (SIA) to employees of the U.S. government traveling or on assignment abroad on official business. However, the Consular Section can accept your application and forward it to Washington, DC for processing or you may elect to mail your application and accompanying documents directly to SIA yourself.
To apply for an official or diplomatic passport, you must present:
• Either a completed but unsigned passport application DS-11 (if this is the first time you have applied for any kind of passport) or a completed DS-82 (if you have a tourist passport or are renewing your diplomatic or official passport); forms can be found at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html);
• Two recent identical color photographs (see Photograph Requirements: http://iraq.usembassy.gov/iraq/photo_req.html);
• Original documentation proving you are U.S. citizen;
• Proof of identity;
• If you are with Department of Defense, you also need a typed and signed DD-1056
• If you are from a Department or Agency other than DoD, you need :A copy of your orders from your Department or Agency; (for 3161 contractors, a copy of your travel authorization and your contract;) and a memorandum from your headquarters office outlining the need for an official or diplomatic passport;
There is no fee for an official or diplomatic passport.
The current turnaround time from the Special Issuance Agency for official or diplomatic passport is a minimum of 2 months. When planning on renewing your official or diplomatic passport, also note that some foreign governments require a minimum of 6 months validity remaining before your passport expiration date for certain visas.
For updates on the status of your official or diplomatic passport application, please contact SIA directly:
Email: Travel-Diplomatic@state.gov
Phone: 202-955-0200
Mail: Special Issuance Agency, 1111 19th Street NW, Suite-350, Washington, DC
Website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/nofee/nofee_836.html