By THE ALASKA STORY
March 16, 2026 – More Alaskans are obtaining passports as international travel rebounds and global connections expand, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of State.
During fiscal year 2025, a total of 52,586 passports were issued in Alaska, the highest number in recent years. The figure includes both traditional passport books and passport cards and represents a continued upward trend in passport demand across the state.
The increase builds on steady growth over the past several years. In FY 2024, Alaska residents received 47,045 passports, and 45,349 were issued in FY 2023. The latest number reflects an increase of more than 5,500 passports from the previous year, or nearly 12% increase, signaling growing travel activity among Alaskans.
Nationally, the State Department reported a record 27,348,416 passports issued in FY 2025, reflecting a surge in international travel demand across the United States.
The State Department reports passport issuance by fiscal year (Oct. 1–Sept. 30) rather than calendar year, and the FY 2025 figures are the most recent complete annual data available as of early 2026.
Supreme Court allows Trump Administration to reinstate birth-sex passport rule
Residents across the state can apply for passports in 34 Alaska communities, according to the State Department’s passport acceptance facility locator. Applications are typically processed through post offices, courts, municipal offices, and other authorized locations that verify identity and transmit documents to the federal government.
The rise in passport issuance also reveals Alaska’s growing ties to international travel, trade, and tourism.
According to federal economic data, Alaska exported $5.26 billion in goods in 2023, highlighting the state’s role in global commerce. Foreign investment also plays a significant role in the economy, supporting an estimated 13,600 jobs in Alaska as of 2021, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
For many Alaskans, passports are used not only for international vacations but also for travel to Canada, business trips, and employment connected to Alaska’s export-driven industries.
