Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - Passport issuing authority name when renewed through mail

Odd question…. My current passport says “Houston Passport Agency” as the Issuer/Authority, if I renew it through the mail, it’s sent to Philadelphia. Will my new passport say “Philadelphia Passport Agency” or does it stick with the name of the original place the passport was first originally issued.

Also if the passport is renewed, does the actually passport number stay the same? If I applied for a new passport, saying if my old passport is lost/damaged, does that generate a new passport number or will they keep my old number?

Thanks,

As far as I know, the issuing authority is not relevant. That, and I cannot possibly imagine what difference it makes.

As far as the number goes, when I renewed mine three years ago I was issued a new passport number.

H

Odd question…. My current passport says “Houston Passport Agency” as the Issuer/Authority, if I renew it through the mail, it’s sent to Philadelphia. Will my new passport say “Philadelphia Passport Agency” or does it stick with the name of the original place the passport was first originally issued.

Also if the passport is renewed, does the actually passport number stay the same? If I applied for a new passport, saying if my old passport is lost/damaged, does that generate a new passport number or will they keep my old number?

Thanks,

The passport number will change regardless of the new passport being a replacement (for a lost/stolen passport) or a renewal (of a currently or recently valid passport still in your possession). New passport, new number regardless of the reason you are getting a new passport.

The issuing authority is the US Department of State.

Recently renewed mine and instead of coming back with a location name it now said "US Department of State".

At first thought it was just because mine was taken for processing in hand by our travel agency, but several others in the office have been renewed by mail and have come back with the same "United States Department of State". I'm thinking that's the norm instead of the individual passport location anymore. Though, either way, the issuing authority doesn't seem to matter.

Renewals get new passport numbers, and your old passport gets returned after been marked as invalid.

As far as I know, the issuing authority is not relevant. That, and I cannot possibly imagine what difference it makes.

As far as the number goes, when I renewed mine three years ago I was issued a new passport number.

H

I know plenty of people who preferred having their passports having the city of issue on the passport (rather than "National Passport Center" or whatever else has been used before) but now only are given passports that do not list the city of issue.

While I have no tremendous preference for or against the change in practice in this area, I do know that some foreign authorities doubting the legitimacy of some US passport bearers using a US passport would ask questions about place and time of issue of passport and sometimes bring up the cities mentioned on the passport biodata page items populated by the government.

Recently renewed mine and instead of coming back with a location name it now said "US Department of State".

At first thought it was just because mine was taken for processing in hand by our travel agency, but several others in the office have been renewed by mail and have come back with the same "United States Department of State". I'm thinking that's the norm instead of the individual passport location anymore. Though, either way, the issuing authority doesn't seem to matter.

Renewals get new passport numbers, and your old passport gets returned after been marked as invalid.

All of the above is now the norm. Even for those taken into a local passport agency office by one's self.

All of the above is now the norm. Even for those taken into a local passport agency office by one's self.

Do you know the reason for the change?

Do you know the reason for the change?

I don't know, but I do know some of the jokes about why it's "change I can believe". :D

The change came with "tighter" controls.

While I have no tremendous preference for or against the change in practice in this area, I do know that some foreign authorities doubting the legitimacy of some US passport bearers using a US passport would ask questions about place and time of issue of passport and sometimes bring up the cities mentioned on the passport biodata page items populated by the government.
Germany would probably be the most obvious example - they absolutely require the name of the city where the passport was issued, and they want to see it in the passport. I hope that as more and more US citizens are issued the newer version of passports, German government clerks will finally learn that "US Dept of State" is all they can ever get from US passports, no matter how hard they try :D

Germany would probably be the most obvious example - they absolutely require the name of the city where the passport was issued, and they want to see it in the passport.

When it comes to US passports being used by Americans when entering (or exiting) the Schengen zone at German ports of entry (or exit), German passport control personnel are not granted an allowance to require that US passports have the city of issue in the passports. They don't absolutely require the city of passport issuance either.

I hope that as more and more US citizens are issued the newer version of passports, German government clerks will finally learn that "US Dept of State" is all they can ever get from US passports, no matter how hard they try :D

A shared hope. :D

I also want to see place of birth removed, primarily to frustrate some former or current Indian bureaucrats and pols.

When it comes to US passports being used by Americans when entering (or exiting) the Schengen zone at German ports of entry (or exit), German passport control personnel are not granted an allowance to require that US passports have the city of issue in the passports. They don't absolutely require the city of passport issuance either.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I meant government or private businesses clerks that check IDs inside the country. They always want to see the place of issue and the holder's address. German bundespolizeien at the passport control do not care about anything ;)

Germany would probably be the most obvious example - they absolutely require the name of the city where the passport was issued, and they want to see it in the passport. I hope that as more and more US citizens are issued the newer version of passports, German government clerks will finally learn that "US Dept of State" is all they can ever get from US passports, no matter how hard they try :D

My current passport, issued in 2010, reads "US Department of State." The previous one, issued in 2000, read "National Passport Center." I have not traveled in Germany with either one.

My current passport, issued in 2010, reads "US Department of State." The previous one, issued in 2000, read "National Passport Center." I have not traveled in Germany with either one.

I have flown in and out of Germany dozens of times on a passport that reads like your current (2010-issued) passport. No problems.

Recently renewed mine and instead of coming back with a location name it now said "US Department of State".

At first thought it was just because mine was taken for processing in hand by our travel agency, but several others in the office have been renewed by mail and have come back with the same "United States Department of State". I'm thinking that's the norm instead of the individual passport location anymore. Though, either way, the issuing authority doesn't seem to matter.

Renewals get new passport numbers, and your old passport gets returned after been marked as invalid.

Seems like the new-ish norm.

I know plenty of people who preferred having their passports having the city of issue on the passport (rather than "National Passport Center" or whatever else has been used before) but now only are given passports that do not list the city of issue.

While I have no tremendous preference for or against the change in practice in this area, I do know that some foreign authorities doubting the legitimacy of some US passport bearers using a US passport would ask questions about place and time of issue of passport and sometimes bring up the cities mentioned on the passport biodata page items populated by the government.

I kind of liked the old way. Mine said "New Orleans". My current one, which I got at the passport office in Los Angeles in person, says U.S. Department of State

Do you know the reason for the change?

Germany would probably be the most obvious example - they absolutely require the name of the city where the passport was issued, and they want to see it in the passport. I hope that as more and more US citizens are issued the newer version of passports, German government clerks will finally learn that "US Dept of State" is all they can ever get from US passports, no matter how hard they try :D

I doubt the German border people care. As for the people who sometimes work the gates, they are always a pain. I remember back in 2002 when one lady was frightened by the fact that I, shock and awe, spoke GERMAN. I guess Americans aren't known for their language skills, but it was hilarious. She brought over an American ex-pat to talk to me, I made fun of his home town of Sacramento a bit and he said to her "this guy's not a problem, I don't know what you're thinking."