If your U.S. passport was revoked, you cannot reactivate it—you must apply for a new one through the standard application process. The revocation renders the previous passport permanently invalid, even if it was returned to you ^[4]. The steps to obtain a new passport depend on why it was revoked, with common reasons including unpaid taxes, legal issues (such as probation or parole), or diplomatic status complications. You’ll need to address the underlying issue (e.g., resolving tax debt or providing court documentation) before reapplying.

• Revoked passports cannot be reactivated—you must submit a new application as if applying for the first time ^[4].
• Tax-related revocations require resolving the debt (e.g., paying in full, setting up a payment plan, or proving the debt is unenforceable) before the IRS will reverse the certification blocking your passport ^[3][8].
• Legal or court-ordered revocations (e.g., due to probation/parole) may require a notarized request, supporting letters from authorities, and proof of completed legal obligations ^[1].
• Diplomatic status issues may necessitate legal consultation or naturalization if citizenship eligibility is questioned ^[6].

Steps to Obtain a New Passport After Revocation

Resolving the Reason for Revocation

Before applying for a new passport, you must address the specific cause of the revocation. The process varies significantly depending on whether the issue was tax-related, legal, or tied to citizenship status.

For tax-related revocations, the IRS certifies "seriously delinquent" tax debts (over $64,000) to the State Department, which then denies or revokes passports ^[3]. To lift the revocation:

• Pay the debt in full, which triggers an automatic reversal of certification within 30 days ^[8].
• Enter into an IRS-approved payment plan (e.g., installment agreement) or negotiate an Offer in Compromise ^[3].
• Provide proof of financial hardship or that the debt is legally unenforceable (e.g., due to bankruptcy) ^[8].
• If traveling imminently, submit proof of travel (e.g., flight itinerary) to expedite the reversal process ^[3].

The IRS will notify the State Department once the issue is resolved, but processing times vary. As of July 2022, over 834,000 taxpayers had been certified as delinquent, with $7.79 billion collected through this program ^[8].

For legal revocations (e.g., due to probation, parole, or court orders), you may need to:

• Submit a notarized letter requesting the return of your passport, if it was confiscated by law enforcement ^[1].
• Provide a supporting letter from your probation officer or a court-ordered discharge notice ^[1].
• Ensure all legal obligations are fulfilled, as revoked passports tied to active legal cases cannot be reinstated until the case is closed ^[5].

If your passport was revoked due to diplomatic immunity or citizenship issues (e.g., being born to foreign diplomats in the U.S.), the process is more complex:

• Consult an immigration attorney to determine eligibility for U.S. citizenship, as some individuals in this situation may not qualify under the 14th Amendment ^[6].
• If stateless, you may qualify for expedited naturalization, but this requires legal guidance ^[6].
• Provide documentation proving your citizenship status (e.g., birth certificate, naturalization papers) when reapplying.

Applying for a New Passport

Once the revocation issue is resolved, you must apply for a new passport using Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport), even if you previously held a passport. This is because revoked passports are permanently invalidated and cannot be renewed ^[4][9]. Key steps include:

• Gather required documents:
• Proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, naturalization certificate) ^[9].
• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license) ^[9].
• A passport photo meeting State Department requirements ^[9].
• Evidence resolving the revocation (e.g., IRS debt clearance letter, court documents) ^[1][3].
• Submit Form DS-11 in person at an acceptance facility (e.g., post office, courthouse) or passport agency. Mail-in renewals (Form DS-82) are not permitted after revocation ^[9].
• Pay the applicable fees, which vary based on processing speed (standard vs. expedited). As of 2024, standard adult passport fees are $130 for the book and $30 for the card ^[2].
• Processing times typically range from 6–8 weeks for routine service or 2–3 weeks for expedited service (plus mailing time) ^[2].

If your revoked passport was lost or stolen, you must also submit Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport) to avoid complications with your new application ^[5]. Note that the State Department does not return revoked passports, even if they are later found ^[1].