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🇺🇸 United States · ePassport

U.S. ePassport

United States Electronic Passport (Next Generation Passport)

The U.S. ePassport is a passport book with an embedded contactless chip storing the data-page information and a digital photograph as a biometric identifier. Issued by the Department of State, it complies with ICAO international standards for machine-readable travel documents. The Next Generation Passport, issued since 2021, adds a polycarbonate data page for stronger security.

What it does
Travel / border controlBiometric authenticationIdentity verification / KYC
Country:🇺🇸 United States
Type:ePassport
Status:Live
Launched:2006
Issuer:U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Who can get it:U.S. citizens and nationals applying for a passport
Format
Passport book with embedded contactless chipMachine-readable zone (MRZ)
Identity attributes
NameDate of birthPlace of birthPassport numberNationalityDigital photograph (biometric)
Authentication methods
Basic Access Control (BAC) for chip readPassive Authentication (digital signature of chip data)Machine-readable zone scan
Common use cases
International travel and border crossingAutomated eGate border controlIdentity verification at ports of entry
Standards
ICAO Doc 9303 (Machine Readable Travel Documents)ISO/IEC 14443 (contactless chip)Basic Access Control (BAC)
Coverage

Issued to U.S. citizens who hold a passport (book figure not published here)

Interoperability

International

Privacy and trust

The chip uses Basic Access Control so the data page must be read optically before the chip can be accessed, minimizing skimming and eavesdropping.

Identity verification providers

Independent identity verification vendors that support documents like this for KYC and onboarding. Exact document coverage varies by provider and region, so confirm support before relying on it.

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Official source
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

U.S. ePassport: frequently asked questions

What is stored on the passport chip?
The same data shown on the printed data page plus a digital photo as a biometric identifier.
What is the Next Generation Passport?
The current U.S. passport, issued since 2021, with a polycarbonate data page and laser-engraved personalization for stronger security.
Educational reference, not official guidance. Confirm current details with the issuing authority. See United States data protection law · all United States schemes · identity verification vendors