TIL there’s actually only one agency with the authority to issue U.S. passports.
Google it, and you’ll find lots of sites for new passports and renewals online. But look deeper, and you’ll realize something—only the U.S. Department of State actually issues them. So when you use these other resources, you’re paying them extra and trusting them with your most sensitive personal data to do something that you could do directly, for less money.
Our recommendation? Go to the official source—travel.state.gov. There, you’ll enjoy all the same passport services that the third parties offer, but without any extra fees or having to share your social security number with a private company.
Seem like a no-brainer? We think so too.
Posted Dec 10, 2025, 3:05 PM UTC · locked
20