Many U.S. citizens may not be aware that making photocopies of their passports and other documents to give to another person is illegal. Making a copy crosses into illegal territory under U.S. Federal Law (18 U.S. Code § 1543 and others). Yes, you can make a copy of your passport for your own personal use. In case you are traveling and lose your passport, the copy serves as a backup for replacement. But you cannot share the copy with others.
The United States Congress, by statute, has forbidden the copying of the following subjects under certain circumstances. Penalties of fine or imprisonment may be imposed on those guilty of making such copies.
• Copyrighted material of any manner or kind without permission of the copyright owner, except for certain educational and research purposes (see Copy Restrictions).
• Certificates of Citizenship of Naturalization. (Foreign Naturalization Certificates may be photographed.)
• Passports. (Foreign passports may be photographed.)
• Immigration Papers.
• Obligations or Securities of the United States Government, such as:
Certificates of Indebtedness
United States Bonds
Federal Reserve Bank Notes
Fractional Notes
National Bank Currency
Treasury Notes
Silver Certificates
Certificates of Deposit
Coupons from Bonds
Federal Reserve Notes
Gold Certificates
Paper Money
• Bonds and obligations of certain agencies of the Government such as FHA, etc.
• Bonds (U.S. Saving Bonds may be photographed only for publicity purposes in connection with the campaign for the sale of such bonds.)
• Internal Revenue Stamps. (If it is necessary to copy a legal document on which there is a cancelled revenue stamp, this may be done provided the reproduction of the document is performed for lawful purposes.)
• Postage Stamps Cancelled or Uncancelled. (For philatelic purpose, Postage Stamps may be photographed provided the reproduction is in black and white and is less than 3/4 or more than 1 1/2 times the linear dimensions of the original.)
• Postal Money Orders.
• Bills, Checks or Drafts for Money drawn by or upon authorized officers of the United States.
• Stamps and other representatives of value, of whatever denomination, which have been or may be issued under any Act of Congress.
• Adjusted Compensation Certificates for Veterans of the World Wars.
• Obligations or Securities of any Foreign Government, Bank or Corporation.
• Draft Registration Cards.
• Selective Service Induction Papers which bear any of the following information:
Registrant’s earnings or income
Registrant’s previous military service
Exception: U.S. Army and Navy
Registrant’s dependency status
Registrant’s physical or mental condition
Discharge certificates may be photographed.
Registrant’s Court Record
• Badges, Identification Cards, Passes, or Insignia carried by Military, Naval personnel, or by members of the various Federal Departments and Bureaus, such as FBI, Treasury, etc. (unless photograph is ordered by head of such department or bureau).
• Copying the following is also prohibited in certain states: Automobile licenses- Drivers’ Licenses- Automobile Certificates of Title.
The above list is not all-inclusive, and no liability is assumed for its completeness or accuracy. Please check with legal counsel if in doubt.
Author: G. William Hood
Author, Columnist, Educator, Epistemologist, and Publisher
