U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs

U.S. Passport Services

Presents

The U.S. Passport Card

September 2015

Presented by Russell Gaither

• The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative – Joint Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

plan to implement a 9/11 Commission recommendation.

– Develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign

nationals alike, to present a passport or other acceptable document that denotes

identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

– DOS began full production of the U.S. Passport Card in July 2008 as a low cost

alternative to the traditional U.S. Passport Book.

– WHTI was successfully implemented on June 1, 2009 for entry into the U.S. by

land and sea.

Background

A.

Passport Card (Front)

Ghost Image

Right Angle

OVD Data Strings

Card Number

Passport Card (Back)

Machine Readable Zone

Card Number

• The adjudication process mirrors that of

the traditional passport book

• Photo image added to Facial Recognition

database.

• Application data is digitally captured in

internal Passport systems.

• Applications are processed by highly trained

Passport specialists using U.S. citizenship law,

state documents, and fraud training as well as secure

government and commercial databases.

• Potentially fraudulent applications can be

escalated to Diplomatic Security for final

determination.

Identity & Data Verification Process

• All employees must pass an extensive background

check and maintain a security clearance.

• Access to systems is role and permissions

restricted.

• Mandatory PII trainings and briefings are completed

on a yearly basis for continued systems access.

• Internal audits of systems and databases are

conducted on a reoccurring/random basis.

• Diplomatic Security assists with conducting

Procedural Integrity Testing and Training

(PITT) testing.

• The chip in the card points to access controlled data i.e.

the digital photo and basic bio data of the bearer.

• The card comes with an attenuation sleeve to block

RFID signal when not in use.

Identity & Data Security

» All first time applicants must use the DS-11 form

» The form must be submitted to an acceptance facility

or passport agency with photo ID & proof of

citizenship

» Minors, under age 16, must have parental consent

» The cost is $55 for adults, $40 for minors

» Adult renewals may use the DS-82 form by mail

» The cost for a renewal is $30 ($25 execution fee waived)

» Both forms accessible at: http://www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/forms.html

» Estimated Processing Times

• Routine= 4 – 6 weeks

• Expedited= 3 weeks ($60 fee)

• Expedited at Agency= 8 Business Days ($60 fee + restrictions)

How to get one…

DS – 11

DS – 82

Passport Network

San

Francisco

Los Angeles

San Diego

New York

Colorado

Minneapolis

Chicago

Detroit

Buffalo

Vermont

Boston

National

El Paso Dallas

Houston

Miami

Charleston

Honolulu

Arkansas Tucson

San Juan

Agency

Adjudication

Center

Print Facility

Key

Atlanta

Seattle

Philadelphia

Washington

Special

Issuance

29 sites plus over 8,100 Acceptance Facilities

New Orleans

Connecticut

Issuance Statistics

0

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

15,360,000

Passport Books 19,200,000

189,560

1,920,000 Passport Cards 2,400,000

17,280,000

Total 21,600,000

Passport Issuance

• Credit card size allows for easy storage/transport. • Recognized by DHS Customs and Border Patrol at all land/sea ports of entry. • ICAO compliant (Doc. 9303). • Similar RFID technology is used in major credit cards, debit cards, and in the Disney Magic Band. • Used as proof of ID and citizenship by by U.S. citizens domestically and abroad. • Passport Canada has consulted with U.S. Passport Services to possibly establish a Canadian Passport card program.

Benefits & Acceptability

The End