Following Push From Lawmakers, Reps. Cleaver and Davids Announce Establishment of New Passport Agency in Kansas City

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) announced that the State Department has selected Kansas City, Missouri as one of six locations for a new U.S. passport agency. Today’s announcement follows Cleaver and Davids’ request for Kansas City to be selected as one of the locations for a new passport agency.

Last year, Reps. Cleaver and Davids supported the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 (NDAA), which included a provision requiring the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BCA) to provide improved in-person and emergency passport services to residents living in a significant population center more than a five-hour drive from an already established passport agency. Last June, following an inundation of requests for assistance from constituents experiencing passport processing delays, Representatives Cleaver and Davids encouraged the BCA to select Kansas City as one of the locations for a new passport agency.

“There is simply no reason that families in the Kansas City region should have to drive five hours or more to receive in-person assistance for passport services, and after a year of encouragement from Rep. Davids and I, I’m thrilled that they’ve heeded our calls to establish a passport agency right here in Kansas City,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This has truly been a team effort, and I’m thankful that constituents across the metro area will now be able to receive increased access to vital services provided by this newfound passport agency.”

"I'm thrilled to announce that, following a request from Congressman Cleaver and me, a new passport agency is officially opening in Kansas City,” said Representative Davids. “Our teams have received countless inquiries from constituents, who often face long drives and unnecessary stress to get their passports. This new agency will significantly streamline the request and renewal process, making it easier and more efficient for everyone."

Passport agencies and centers are responsible for processing applications received from acceptance facilities and by mail and serving customers by appointment who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days.

More information about the services provided by passport agencies is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.