The circumstances of life can prevent you from doing things that you want or need to do. For instance, you may need to pick up your passport, but are unable to pick it up in person.

In this circumstance, you will need to write a letter of authorization to pick up a passport in order to allow someone to pick up your passport on your behalf.

A passport is a sensitive government issued document and must be handled carefully, so this letter of authorization lets officials know that you have given someone other than yourself permission to handle your passport. The following are some tips for writing your letter of authorization.

1. Research circumstances in which a letter of authorization is appropriate. Before you write your letter, you need to research under which circumstances someone can pick up a passport on your behalf. You need to make sure that your circumstance qualifies and find out whether any supporting documents are necessary. For instance, you may need to submit documentation of your hospitalization if you cannot pick up your passport due to a medical issue.

2.Identify whose passports will be picked up. Use your full name as it will appear on your passport. If there are other passports that will need to be picked up on your behalf, include the full names of those individuals.

3. Identify who will pick up passports. Use the full name of the person who will pick up the passports on your behalf. Ask this person how his or her name is spelled on his or her identification, so that the spelling of the name in your letter will match the spelling of the name on the identification used to pick up the passport.

4. Write clear and precise statements. You may structure your statement as follows: I, (insert your name), hereby give authorization for (insert name of person picking up passport) to pick up my passport on my behalf as I am unable to do so because of (insert your circumstance). If applicable, also indicate which other passports can be picked up by adding the following statement: (Name of person picking up passport) is also authorized to pick up passports for the following individuals: (insert full names).

5. Gather and attach supporting documentation. Include any documentation necessary as further proof of your inability to pick up your passport in person. If you must send the original copies of the documentation, make copies for your own records to keep along with a copy of your letter of authorization.

6. Don’t forget to sign and date the letter. Be sure that your letter is dated and signed properly. Treat this letter as formal document, and make sure that you include the date, a return address, and your signature.

Writing a letter of authorization to pick up a passport is not a difficult task. Following these tips will help ensure that your letter is effective and clear, so that your passport can be picked up on your behalf.