Passport Authorizing Officer

A Passport Authorizing Officer (PAO) is a federal employee who is authorized by the Department of State to accept and process passport applications on behalf of the government. PAOs are typically stationed at passport agencies or embassies, and they are responsible for verifying the identity of applicants, reviewing supporting documents, and confirming that all requirements have been met. In order to become a PAO, an individual must undergo a rigorous training program and pass a series of exams. PAOs are an essential part of the passport application process, and their work helps to ensure that only eligible individuals are issued passports.