United States, Passport Applications - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1795-1925. This collection contains United States Passport Applications from three different NARA collections: M1371, M1490, and M1372.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
These records usually contain the following information:


 * Name
 * Application date
 * Application place
 * Birth date
 * Birth place
 * Name of husband or father
 * Husband's or father's birth date
 * Husband's or father's 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 to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the individual
 * Identifying information such as birth date and place

Search the Collection
To search the collection ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the 'NARA Publication Number' category ⇒ Select the 'Date Range' category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the name, birth date and birth place to obtain a birth record.
 * Use the name and application place or residence to search US federal census records.
 * If you are unable to locate your ancestor look for various spellings of the names.

Related Websites
National Archives

Related Wiki Articles
United States

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Argentina, Buenos Aires, Catholic Church Records, 1635-1981,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 28 February, 2012), La Plata &gt; San Ponciano &gt; Matrimonios 1884-1886 &gt; image 71 of 389 images, Artemio Avendano and Clemtina Peralta, 1884; citing Parroquia de San Ponciano en la Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Matrimonios. San Ponciano, La Plata, Buenos Aires.