U.S. House Resolution 5009

House Resolution 5009 enacts the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a large bill passed by the U.S. Congress each year to fund the U.S. military and other defense priorities. Included in the more than 1,800-page authorization for fiscal year 2025 is a provision that may affect certain Notaries.  

Passport acceptance agents are authorized by the U.S. government to accept passport applications on behalf of the State Department. Registration as a passport acceptance facility is currently limited to federal, state, county, city or municipal offices including post offices, county clerks, public libraries, and public universities. As of the date of enactment, non-profits, religious and commercial organizations are excluded from joining the State Department’s passport acceptance facility program.  

House Resolution 5009 includes a provision authorizing the U.S. Secretary of State to designate a U.S. citizen employed by a “reputable, established company or institution” as a passport acceptance agent, provided the individual meets any other requirements prescribed by the Secretary and is commissioned or appointed as a Notary Public or otherwise authorized to perform notarizations under a state’s laws, thus potentially expanding the pool of individuals and institutions that may accept passport applications in the future.  

Read House Resolution 5009 (see: Section 7507).