Controls Over the Management and Security of Official Passports Need Improvement

The Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement and the Chief Counsel should formalize written procedures for designated travel office employees to follow up with travelers who have not returned their passports in a timely manner, and for travel office supervisors to review passport log records periodically to ensure that travel dates and related passport return dates are properly recorded.

The Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement should ensure that related travel files and passports are not being retained beyond established time frames unless there is a legitimate business need for them.

The Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement and the Chief Counsel should consider including a requirement for independent periodic or annual surprise security reviews of the passport offices to ensure that passport personnel are adhering to updated guidelines for securing and safeguarding passports.