United States, Passport Applications - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains United States Passport Applications from two different NARA collections: M1490, and M1372 from Record Group 59 General Records of the Department of State. This collection is currently being indexed and the indexed records are being published. The collections are arranged by date of application.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Passport Applications
 * Name
 * Application date and place
 * Birth date and place
 * Name of husband or father
 * Husband's or father's birth date and birth place
 * Husband's or father's residence
 * Husband's or father's citizenship information
 * Applicant's residence
 * Applicant's occupation
 * Length of time intending to be out of the U.S.
 * Where traveling to
 * Why traveling
 * Port of departure
 * Name of vessel
 * Date of departure
 * Oath of allegiance statement
 * Applicant's age
 * Applicant's physical description
 * Witness' statement
 * Witness' signature
 * Applicant's signature
 * Applicant's photograph
 * Name and position of person receiving application and witness' statement
 * Name and location of court where application and witness' statement was made

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual on the passport
 * The birth date and birth place of the person applying for a passport
 * The state and country where the person applied for a passport

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select NARA Publication Number
 * 2) Select Roll Number, Date Range, Certificate Number to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the name, birth date and birth place to obtain a birth record
 * Use the name and application place or residence to search federal census records

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.


 * Collection Citation: "United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 26 January 2018. Citing NARA microfilm publications M1490 and M1372. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.