State Department orders nonprofit libraries to stop processing passport applications

The agency says federal law prohibits non-governmental organizations from collecting passport application fees.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

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. The agency says federal law prohibits non-governmental organizations from collecting and retaining fees for passport applications, though government-run libraries are not impacted. The American Library Association estimates about 1,400 mostly non-profit public libraries nationwide could potentially be affected.

Why it matters

The change is particularly disruptive in states where many public libraries are structured as nonprofit entities. Lawmakers warn the move will force people to travel long distances, take unpaid time off from work, or forgo getting a passport when demand is surging due to Real ID requirements and potential new voting rules. Some libraries that benefit financially from passport processing fees may have to lay off staff, cut programs or close their doors if not allowed to continue providing the service.

The details

The State Department 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 February 13. A State Department spokesperson said 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 State Department began issuing cease and desist orders to not-for-profit libraries in late fall 2025.
  • The order went into effect on February 13, 2026.

The players

U.S. State Department

The federal agency that regulates U.S. passports and issued the cease and desist orders to not-for-profit libraries.

Cathleen Special

The executive director of the Otis Library in Norwich, Connecticut, where passport services were offered for 18 years but ceased in November 2025 after receiving the State Department's letter.

American Library Association

The organization that estimates about 1,400 mostly non-profit public libraries nationwide could potentially be affected by the State Department's order.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who members of Congress are pushing to extend the existing passport acceptance program until a permanent solution is found.

Madeleine Dean

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania who has proposed bipartisan legislation to allow 501(c)(3) non-profit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The State Department's interpretation of the law is 'nonsense'.”

— Madeleine Dean, U.S. Representative, Pennsylvania (mymotherlode.com)

What’s next

Democratic and Republican members of Congress from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Maryland are pushing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to extend the existing passport acceptance program until Congress finds a permanent solution. Bipartisan legislation has also been proposed to allow 501(c)(3) non-profit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities.

The takeaway

This policy change by the State Department will disrupt an important community service that public libraries have provided for years, particularly in states where many libraries are structured as non-profit organizations. It highlights the need for a legislative solution to allow these libraries to continue offering passport processing services to their local communities.