# 22 CFR § 51.7: Passport property of the U.S. Government

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.7

## Section

- **Citation:** 22 CFR § 51.7
- **Heading:** Passport property of the U.S. Government
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 22—Foreign Relations > CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF STATE > SUBCHAPTER F—NATIONALITY AND PASSPORTS > PART 51—PASSPORTS > Subpart A—General

## Text

(a) A passport at all times remains the property of the United States and must be returned to the U.S. Government upon demand.
(b) Law enforcement authorities who take possession of a passport for use in an investigation or prosecution must return the passport to the Department on completion of the investigation and/or prosecution.

## Nearby sections

- [22 CFR § 51.2 § 51.2 Passport issued to nationals only.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.2.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.3 § 51.3 Types of passports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.3.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.4 § 51.4 Validity of passports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.4.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.5 § 51.5 Adjudication and issuance of passports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.5.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.6 § 51.6 Verification of passports and release of information from passport records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.6.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.7 § 51.7 Passport property of the U.S. Government.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.7.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.8 § 51.8 Submission of currently valid passport.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.8.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.9 § 51.9 Amendment of passports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.9.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.10 § 51.10 Replacement passports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.10.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.20 § 51.20 General.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.20.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.21 § 51.21 Execution of passport application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.21.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.22 § 51.22 Passport agents and passport acceptance agents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.22.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.23 § 51.23 Identity of applicant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.23.md)
- [22 CFR § 51.24 § 51.24 Affidavit of identifying witness.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.24.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-22-51.7. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.