State Department orders nonprofit libraries stop passport applications
5 hours ago
- #state-department
- #passport-services
- #nonprofit-libraries
- The U.S. State Department has ordered certain nonprofit public libraries to stop processing passport applications, disrupting a long-standing service.
- The order is based on federal law prohibiting non-governmental organizations from collecting and retaining passport application fees.
- Government-run libraries are not affected by this directive.
- Approximately 1,400 nonprofit public libraries nationwide could be impacted, representing about 15% of all public libraries.
- Lawmakers from multiple states are pushing back, urging the State Department to extend the program until a permanent solution is found.
- The change is particularly disruptive in states where many public libraries are structured as nonprofit entities.
- Bipartisan legislation has been proposed to amend the Passport Act of 1920, allowing nonprofit libraries to continue offering passport services.
- The State Department claims 99% of the U.S. population lives within 20 miles of an authorized passport processing location.
- Libraries that provided passport services benefited financially from processing fees and may now face staff layoffs or program cuts.