Which department is responsible for issuing passports?

The Department of State is responsible for issuing passports. This department handles all matters related to foreign relations and diplomacy, which includes the management and issuance of passports to U.S. citizens as well as visa services for foreign nationals. The passport serves as a key document for international travel, proving a person's identity and citizenship. The Department of State also provides guidance on passport applications, renewals, and other passport-related services, ensuring they meet the standards for security and travel.

In contrast, the Department of Justice largely deals with legal matters, law enforcement, and immigration enforcement, but it does not handle passport issuance. The Department of Homeland Security focuses on national security and immigration and customs enforcement but also does not issue passports. The Department of Immigration, while often associated with immigration processes, does not exist as an independent entity and is typically referred to in context of immigration services under the Department of Homeland Security. Therefore, the primary responsibility for passports lies distinctly with the Department of State.