A system used to verify passport document data for agencies that issue driver’s licenses and identification cards was unavailable Wednesday amid an outage, according to a transportation group.
The U.S. Passport Verification Service provides a means for driver license agencies to verify that data against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) back-end systems, according to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). The organization, per its website, represents state, provincial and territorial officials in the U.S. “who administer and enforce motor vehicle laws.”
The AAMVA told NewsNation the lapse in service was on the DHS side “due to their activity,” without disclosing more details.
“We are actively working with our DHS partners to provide an update to states so service can be restored as soon as possible,” the group wrote, saying the department aimed to have it restored by 1 p.m. EDT. It is unclear where systems currently stand.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias (D) also posted about the outage on social media.
“Due to a nationwide outage, U.S. passport verification is currently unavailable. We are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available,” Giannoulias wrote Wednesday morning on the social platform X.
“Please call 800-252-8980 before visiting our DMVs as services or hours may be impacted,” he added.
The reported outage comes after the deadline to obtain a Real ID passed last week following years of delays.
The Transportation Security Administration said recently that more than 80 percent of air travelers were already presenting types of identification in line with Real ID requirements.
The Hill has reached out to the DHS for confirmation on the outage.
