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. 14, 2026

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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. Lawmakers are pushing back, arguing the change will be particularly disruptive in states where many public libraries are structured as nonprofit entities.

Why it matters

The State Department's order could make it more difficult for many Americans, particularly working families and rural residents, to obtain passports, as libraries have often served as convenient and accessible passport acceptance facilities. The change comes as demand for passports is surging due to Real ID requirements and potential new voting rules that could require a passport or birth certificate to register.

The details

The State Department began issuing cease and desist orders to not-for-profit libraries in late 2025, informing them they were no longer authorized to participate in the Passport Acceptance Facility program as of February 2026. The agency says federal law and regulations 'clearly prohibit non-governmental organizations' from collecting and retaining passport application fees. While the State Department claims the impacted libraries make up less than 1% of their total network of over 7,500 acceptance facilities, the American Library Association estimates around 1,400 mostly non-profit public libraries nationwide could potentially be affected, or about 15% of all public libraries.

  • The State Department began issuing cease and desist orders to not-for-profit libraries in late 2025.
  • The order took effect on February 14, 2026.

The players

U.S. State Department

The federal agency that regulates U.S. passports and issued the order to cease passport processing at certain non-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 cease and desist letter.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who members of Congress are urging to extend the existing passport processing program at non-profit libraries until a permanent solution can be 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.

John Joyce

A Republican U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania who has co-sponsored legislation with Rep. Madeleine Dean to address the State Department's policy change.

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What’s next

Democratic and Republican members of Congress are pushing the State Department to extend the existing passport processing program at non-profit libraries until a permanent legislative solution can be found. Bipartisan bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to amend the Passport Act of 1920 and allow 501(c)(3) non-profit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities.

The takeaway

The State Department's order disrupts a long-standing and convenient service that many communities have come to rely on, particularly for working families and rural residents. This change could make it more difficult for Americans to obtain passports at a time of surging demand, underscoring the importance of accessible passport processing facilities and the need for a legislative solution to preserve the role of non-profit libraries in this service.