Reasons for denying a passport include a valid, unsealed federal warrant of arrest, a federal or state criminal court order, a condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court), or a request for extradition.

There are several reasons why millions of people—including nearly half of the U.S. population in 2026—may not own a passport. The most common reason is financial constraint; in many countries, the cost of the application, photos, and execution fees can be prohibitive for low-income families. Others simply have no intention of traveling internationally, preferring domestic tourism or "staycations." In large nations like the U.S., Canada, or Australia, the sheer variety of domestic landscapes often satisfies travel desires without the need for a passport. Additionally, certain legal issues (such as significant unpaid child support or felony warrants) can prevent a citizen from being issued one, while others may simply rely on alternative documents like "Enhanced Driver's Licenses" for crossing nearby land borders.