ePassports

As we reported last November (read our posting), the US State Department is all set to issue E-passports to its citizens this week. Despite the demonstration of possible cloning by a German security consultant and repeated warnings from experts that the step may pose a security threat to the nation, the issuance will continue as scheduled. The E-passports to be issued to American travelers contain Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips which are meant to reduce the chances of forged documents and lesser paperwork. According to a new program, E-passports will be processed first, at the Denver Passport Office and will be in full production through 17 passport facilities across the country by mid-2007.

E-passports will look much the same as today's machine-readable passports with the familiar gold-embossed blue cover. Since all personal information on a chip must precisely match that in the printed portion of the electronic passport, it reduces the chances of forgery. Also, if an electronic passport is stolen, the chip can be tracked by law enforcement agencies anywhere in the world via a unique identifying number.

The chip will be 64KB in size to leave room for additional biometrics data to be added in the future. The e-passport also will incorporate codes and additional anti-fraud and security features. With today's thin technology, the chip, coil and metallic security shield will not add any detectable thickness to the cover.

The screening process for the e-passport can take as little as 5 seconds. An immigration officer will hold an e-passport over a reader to view digital information embedded in the chip on a monitor to make sure it isn't altered.

For application or renewal of your passport, read our posting of July 5th, 2005.