A passport is a written permission to American citizens to travel unmolested in any foreign country with which this country is at peace. It recommends them to the protection of foreign governments where they may visit.
The Secretary of State of the United States, at Washington, is alone properly authorized to issue passports in the United States, but the ministers and other diplomatic representatives of our government abroad may grant, issue and verify them in cases of emergency.
A person who is entitled to receive a passport, if within the United States, must make a written application, in the form of an affidavit to the Secretary of State. The application must be at-tested by an officer authorized to administer oaths.
Application for a passport by a person in one of the insular possessions of the United States should be made to the chief executive of such possession.
The fee is $10; $1 for execution of the application and $9 for the passport.
Passport forms are furnished by the Department of State, Washington, upon application in writing. The requirements include personal description (for identification of the bearer), photographs (unmounted and to be affixed), an oath of allegiance, and several other particulars named in the forms.
Applications should be addressed to the Department of State, Bureau of Citizenship, Washington, D. C.