State Department Pervasive Passport Fraud Not Identified, but Cases of Potentially Fraudulent and High-Risk Issuances Are under Review

According to agency officials and guidance posted on State's public website, applicants can apply for a U.S. passport in one of three ways: in person at an acceptance facility, by mail (for renewal applications), or at a passport facility that offers acceptance services (typically expedited applications). Applicants submit documents, such as a birth certificate or driver's license, to passport acceptance agents to provide evidence of citizenship, or noncitizen nationality, and proof of identity. The acceptance agents are to watch the applicant sign the application, review submitted documents for completeness, and check for application inconsistencies. For example, acceptance agents are to assess whether photographs and descriptions in the identification documents match the applicant.