A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that contains a person's identity for international travel. A person with a passport can travel to and from foreign countries more easily and access consular assistance. A passport certifies the personal identity and nationality of its holder. It is typical for passports to contain the full name, photograph, place and date of birth, signature, and the issue and expiration dates of the passport. While passports are typically issued by national governments, certain subnational governments are authorised to issue passports to citizens residing within their borders.
Clockwise, from top left: Dutch ordinary, Nepalese diplomatic, Chinese service, and Polish ordinary passports
Passport control at Dubai International Airport
First Japanese passport, issued in 1866
Italian passport, issued in 1872
A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international entity pursuant to international agreements to enable individuals to clear border control measures. Travel documents usually assure other governments that the bearer may return to the issuing country, and are often issued in booklet form to allow other governments to place visas as well as entry and exit stamps into them.
Automated travel document inspection at Dubai Airport
U.S. CBP Office of Field Operations agent checking the authenticity of a travel document at an international airport using a stereo microscope
New cover of Carte Jaune issued by the Philippines since 2021
The front cover of a blue machine-readable United Nations laissez-passer