State Department Orders Nonprofit Libraries to Stop Passport Processing

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The U.S. State Department has ordered certain public libraries nationwide to cease processing passport applications, a service that librarians say their communities have come to rely on and that has run smoothly for years. The agency says federal law prohibits non-governmental organizations from collecting and retaining passport application fees.

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.

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 Friday. The agency says government-run libraries are not impacted, and that the number of libraries found ineligible makes up less than one percent of their total network of over 7,500 passport acceptance facilities nationwide.

• The State Department began issuing cease and desist orders to not-for-profit libraries in late fall 2025.
• Passport services at the Otis Library in Norwich, Connecticut ceased in November 2025 after receiving the letter.

What’s next

Democratic and Republican members of Congress from several states 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. Bipartisan legislation has been proposed in the House and Senate to allow 501(c)(3) non-profit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities.