CFR > Title 22 - Foreign Relations > CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF STATE > SUBCHAPTER F—NATIONALITY AND PASSPORTS (parts 50 to 53) > PART 51—PASSPORTS > SUBPART C—Evidence of U.S. Citizenship or Nationality (§51.40 to §51.46) > 51.46—Return or retention of evidence of U.S. citizenship or non-citizen nationality.

51.46—Return or retention of evidence of U.S. citizenship or non-citizen nationality.

The Department will generally return to the applicant evidence submitted in connection with an application for a passport. The Department may, however, retain evidence when it deems it necessary for anti-fraud or law enforcement or other similar purposes.