Brown Passport Travel: Is It Possible?

Travelling with a brown passport can refer to two things: either a US military or government-issued passport, or a metaphor for the challenges faced by people of colour when travelling. In the first instance, brown passports are official or diplomatic passports issued to US government employees and their dependents, or in limited circumstances, to non-personal services contractors. These passports are not valid for personal travel and must be returned to the relevant agency once the position or status for which they were issued has ended. In the second instance, travelling while brown refers to the discrimination and challenges faced by people of colour when travelling, including stricter visa requirements, racial profiling, and being treated with suspicion by immigration officials.

What is a brown passport?

A brown passport is a type of passport issued in the United States. It is also known as an "official passport" and is given to employees of the US government or military personnel. The brown passport is often mistaken for a red passport because of its maroon colour (a brown/red shade).

In the United States, passports are colour-coded based on their intended purpose. For instance, black passports are issued to the US president, their family, top officials, and diplomatic personnel. These diplomatic passports are valid for five years and cannot be used for leisure travel. Maroon passports are given to government employees and military personnel for official business. They are also provided to the families of these officials with the authorisation of the Department of State.

US citizens who require a passport for personal travel are issued blue passports. These are also known as "tourist passports" or "Type P passports". They are given to most American citizens who want to travel, work, or study abroad.

Grey passports are issued to contractors who support the US government but do not qualify for a maroon official passport. These are known as "service passports" and can be used when a blue passport does not allow travel to a particular country.

Finally, green passports are not actually passports but refugee travel documents. They are issued by the US Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services to refugees living in the US who are unable to obtain a passport from their country of origin.

What are the requirements for obtaining a brown passport?

Brown passports are, in fact, maroon and are often confused with red passports. They are known as "official passports" and are issued to employees of the US government or military personnel who are required to travel overseas for official business. Family members of officials are also eligible for brown passports, pending authorisation by the Department of State.

To obtain a brown passport, applicants must submit the same application form and supporting documents required for a regular passport through the Special Passport Issuance Agency. In addition, evidence of official status must be submitted. There is no fee for this type of passport, which has a maximum validity of five years. It cannot be used for leisure travel and must be returned to the government when the employee's governmental duty ends.

Application Form and Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit the same application form and supporting documents required for a regular passport. This includes:

• Evidence of United States citizenship
• Proof of identity
• A photocopy of an identification document
• A passport photo

Evidence of Official Status

In addition to the documents above, applicants must provide evidence of their official status. This includes employees of the US government who must travel abroad for official business, such as politicians, FBI agents, and bureaucrats. Active-duty members of the military and their families who are required to travel overseas are also eligible for brown passports.

Application Submission

The application and supporting documents must be submitted through the Special Passport Issuance Agency.

No Fee Required

There is no fee for obtaining a brown passport.

Validity and Return

Brown passports are valid for a maximum of five years and cannot be used for leisure travel. They must be returned to the government when the employee's governmental duty ends.

What are the limitations of a brown passport?

A brown passport, also known as an official or diplomatic passport, is issued to US government employees and their dependents. It is also issued in limited circumstances to non-personal services contractors.

These passports are not valid for personal travel and are used for a maximum of five years. They are granted to federal employees and family members serving the US abroad, individuals with diplomatic status, and those with diplomatic or consular titles granted by the Department of State.

Brown passports cannot be used to carry classified or sensitive materials across borders, and they do not shield the holder from foreign laws, including customs, immigration, or labor laws. They also do not grant diplomatic immunity or provide any special benefits. Many countries have more visa requirements for those holding brown passports.

Additionally, brown passports must be returned to the relevant agency's passport office once the holder's position or status changes.

How long is a brown passport valid for?

A brown passport is, in fact, a maroon passport. These passports are often referred to as "official passports" and are issued to employees of the US government or military personnel who are required to travel overseas for official business. A brown passport is also issued to the family members of said officials, with authorisation from the Department of State.

A brown passport is valid for a maximum of five years and cannot be used for leisure travel. It must be returned to the government when the employee's governmental duty ends.

What is the process for renewing a brown passport?

The process for renewing a brown (official) passport varies depending on whether you are a military or government official, and whether you are in the US or stationed overseas.

If you are a member of the military or government official and are currently in the US, you can:

• See your PAC or S1 shop, who should be able to help you process your application.
• Visit your nearest US embassy or consulate general. Note that it is often necessary to make an appointment.
• Wait until you return to the US and apply at a local passport office to get your passport in as little as 2-3 weeks, or at a regional passport agency to get your passport the same day.

If you are a member of the military or government official and are currently stationed overseas, you can:

• Visit the nearest US embassy or consulate general. Note that it is often necessary to make an appointment.
• Apply for a civilian passport in person at an acceptance facility and submit Form DS-11, evidence of US citizenship, proof of identity, a photocopy of ID, a new passport photo, and pay the relevant fees.

If you are a civilian and currently have a brown passport, you will need to apply for a new passport. You will need to submit a new application in person at a local acceptance facility. Passport processing is taking longer than usual, so it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible if you have plans to travel.

If you are a US citizen and have never had a brown passport, the process for renewing your passport is as follows:

Check your eligibility to renew by mail. You can renew your adult passport by mail if it meets certain requirements. You can renew by mail if your most recent passport:

• Can be submitted with your application.
• Is not damaged (beyond normal wear and tear).
• Has never been reported lost or stolen.
• Was issued within the last 15 years.
• Was issued when you were aged 16 or older.
• Was issued in your current name, or you can provide a legal document to prove your name change.

• If your passport meets the above requirements, complete your Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 on the State Department website.
• Print and sign your DS-82 form.
• Have a passport photo taken. You can schedule a passport photo-only appointment at a Post Office location.
• Calculate your passport renewal fees.
• Collect your most recent passport, completed and signed application, renewal fees, and name change documents, if needed.
• Choose your envelope. Use an envelope large enough to fit the application without folding it.
• Address the envelope to the location for your state. See page 2 of your DS-82 form.
• Mail your renewal application using a USPS delivery tracking service.
• Follow your application's progress using the tracking number on your receipt.

Please note that if your passport does not meet the requirements for renewal by mail, you must prepare the same application package as a first-time passport applicant.

Frequently asked questions