United States passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the United States of America. They are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State. Besides passports (in booklet form), limited-use passport cards are issued subject to the same requirements. It is unlawful for US citizens and nationals to enter or exit the country without a valid US passport or passport-replacement document compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, though there are many exceptions; waivers are generally granted for U.S. citizens returning without a passport, and the exit requirement is not enforced. As of September 2023, a United States passport allows visa-free travel to 185 countries and territories, being ranked as the seventh most powerful in the world in terms of travel freedom.
US passport booklets conform with recommended standards (i.e., size, composition, layout, technology) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). There are five types of passport booklets; the State Department has issued only biometric passports since August 2007. US passports are federal property and must be returned upon demand.By law, a valid unexpired US passport (or passport card) is conclusive (and not just prima facie) proof of US citizenship, with the same force and effect as proof as certificates of naturalization or citizenship if issued to a US citizen for the full period allowed by law. US law does not prohibit its citizens from also holding passports of other countries.

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