By Michael Chen · Published August 5, 2025 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 8 min read
Faxing to the U.S. State Department is possible — but only for a narrow set of services. The Department of State accepts faxes primarily for FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests and, historically, for National Visa Center inquiries. For passports, apostilles, and most other services, fax is not an accepted channel.
This guide covers every confirmed State Department fax number, exactly which services accept faxes, and step-by-step instructions for each use case. If you don't have a fax machine, mFax.to lets you send from your phone in minutes.
Bottom Line Up Front
The only confirmed State Department fax lines are FOIA: (202) 485-1669 and the National Visa Center: (603) 334-0791. Passports, apostilles, and most other services do not accept faxes.
State Department Fax Numbers: Quick Reference
The table below summarizes which State Department offices accept faxes and which require mail or online submission.
| Office / Service | Fax Number | Accepted? |
|---|---|---|
| FOIA — Information Access Programs Directorate | (202) 485-1669 | ✅ Yes |
| FOIA — Public Liaison | (202) 485-1799 | ✅ Yes |
| National Visa Center (NVC) | (603) 334-0791 | ✅ Limited |
| Passport Applications & Renewals | — | ❌ No |
| Office of Authentications / Apostille | — | ❌ No |
| Vital Records | — | ❌ No |
| Nonimmigrant Visa Inquiries | — | ❌ No |
| Consular Notification (law enforcement) | Not published | ✅ Acceptable |
FOIA Fax Numbers (Confirmed Official)
The Freedom of Information Act office is the primary division that actively accepts fax submissions. These numbers are published directly on foia.state.gov.
Information Access Programs Directorate (A/SKS/IAP)
FOIA Public Liaison
Personal Records Require Fax or Mail
The State Department's online FOIA portal at pal.foia.state.gov does not accept requests for personal records — such as your own passport application, visa file, or travel records. For those, you must fax to (202) 485-1669 or submit by mail.
National Visa Center Fax Number
The National Visa Center processes immigrant visa cases after USCIS approves a petition. Their fax number is (603) 334-0791.
National Visa Center (NVC)
NVC Prefers Online Inquiries
As of 2026, the NVC's official contact page no longer prominently lists the fax number. Their preferred channels are the online inquiry form at nvc.state.gov/inquiry and email at NVCInquiry@state.gov. Use fax only if the online form is unavailable or your attorney directs you to do so.
What You CANNOT Fax to the State Department
Most State Department services do not accept fax. Here's what to use instead:
Passports
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) does not publish or accept a fax number. There is no way to fax a passport application, renewal, or status inquiry.
| Need | Contact Method |
|---|---|
| New passport (DS-11) | In person at an acceptance facility |
| Renewal (DS-82) | Mail or online at opr.travel.state.gov |
| Urgent appointment | 1-877-487-2778 or passportappointment.travel.state.gov |
| General inquiry | Phone: 1-877-487-2778 (M–F 8 AM–10 PM ET) |
Apostille / Document Authentication
The Office of Authentications only accepts mail submissions and walk-in appointments — no fax.
- Mail: Form DS-4194 + documents + fees to: U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, 44132 Mercure Cir., PO Box 1206, Sterling, VA 20166-1206 (approximately 5-week processing)
- Walk-in: 600 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 (Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, 7 business day processing)
- Phone: (202) 485-8000
Vital Records (Overseas Birth & Death Certificates)
No fax accepted. Contact by phone at (202) 485-8300, email at VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov, or mail Form DS-5542.
Nonimmigrant Visa Inquiries
All nonimmigrant visa applications and inquiries go through the DS-160 online application, U.S. embassy/consulate websites, or the State Department's online contact forms at travel.state.gov.
How to Fax a FOIA Request to the State Department
FOIA requests are the most common reason to fax the State Department. Here is the step-by-step process.
Determine what records you need
Identify the specific records you want: your own passport records, a visa file, Department communications, or other government documents. For personal records (your own files), fax or mail is required since the online portal does not accept personal record requests.
Draft your FOIA request letter
Write a clear description of the records sought. State the specific documents, time period, and any known reference numbers. Do not write it as a question — state what you want. For personal records, include a signed declaration under penalty of perjury verifying your identity (dated within six months).
State your fee preferences
Indicate whether you are requesting a fee waiver (with justification), or state the maximum fee you are willing to pay. Without this, the Department may delay processing until it gets clarification.
Prepare your fax cover sheet
Your cover sheet must include:
- "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST" in large text at the top
- Attention: Information Access Programs Directorate (A/SKS/IAP)
- Your full legal name, mailing address, phone number, and email
- Today's date
- Total number of pages in the fax
- Brief subject line (e.g., "Request for Passport Application Records — [Your Name]")
Mark as CONFIDENTIAL if faxing personally identifiable information.
Fax to (202) 485-1669
Send the cover sheet followed by your request letter (and identity verification if required) to (202) 485-1669. Government fax lines can be busy — try during off-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon). Save your fax transmission confirmation report.
Track your request
After submission, track your request online at pal.foia.state.gov or email FOIAStatus@state.gov with your name and the date you submitted. The State Department's FOIA response time varies widely — routine requests may take weeks to months.
No Fax Machine? Use mFax.to
mFax.to lets you send a fax from your phone or computer in under 2 minutes. Upload your PDF, enter the fax number (e.g., 202-485-1669), and hit send. You get a delivery confirmation receipt — important for government submissions. Over 5 million people use mFax.
How to Fax the National Visa Center
Use fax for the NVC only if you have an active immigrant visa case there and cannot use their online form.
Confirm your case is at the NVC
Log in to the CEAC portal at ceac.state.gov to confirm your case is currently at the National Visa Center (not still at USCIS or already transferred to a consulate/embassy).
Prepare your inquiry
Gather: your NVC case number, USCIS receipt number (I-130 or other petition), petitioner's full name and date of birth, and beneficiary's full name and date of birth.
Write a clear, single inquiry
State your specific question or issue in one to two paragraphs. Multiple inquiries on the same topic delay responses — submit once and wait.
Fax to (603) 334-0791
Include all identifying information prominently on the cover sheet. Fax to (603) 334-0791. Save your confirmation receipt. The NVC typically responds within several weeks during normal processing periods.
Cover Sheet Requirements for State Department Faxes
A proper cover sheet is essential for any government fax. Include all of the following:
| Field | What to Write |
|---|---|
| Header | "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST" (FOIA) or "NVC CASE INQUIRY" (visa) |
| Attention Line | Name of the specific office (e.g., "A/SKS/IAP" for FOIA) |
| Your Name | Full legal name |
| Your Address | Complete mailing address |
| Your Phone/Email | Contact information for follow-up |
| Date | Date of transmission |
| Total Pages | Including the cover sheet |
| Confidentiality | "CONFIDENTIAL" if sending personal information |
| Subject | Brief description of the matter |
Never Include Originals in a Fax
The State Department will never process original documents (photos, citizenship certificates, money orders) submitted by fax. Fax is limited to text-based requests and inquiry letters. Original documents must be mailed or submitted in person.
Tips for Faxing to the State Department
Verify numbers before sending. Always confirm fax numbers against the official State Department website (state.gov, foia.state.gov, travel.state.gov) before transmitting. Numbers can change, and sending to a wrong number could expose personal information.
Send once. Duplicate submissions — faxing the same request multiple times — delay processing for everyone. Submit once, wait for acknowledgment, and follow up by email or phone if you hear nothing after a reasonable time.
Use a dedicated fax number if you need a response. FOIA requests that include a fax number for the State Department to respond to are processed faster than those that require a mailed response. You can get a virtual fax number through mFax.to — receive the State Department's reply directly to your email as a PDF.
Government lines are busy. State Department fax lines can experience high volume, especially around FOIA spikes. Try retransmitting during off-peak hours. Most online fax services will automatically retry failed transmissions.
Keep your confirmation report. Your fax transmission confirmation is your proof of submission. Store it with a copy of everything you faxed.
Alternatives to Faxing the State Department
For most people, the online options are faster and more convenient:
| Task | Best Method |
|---|---|
| FOIA request (non-personal records) | Online portal: pal.foia.state.gov |
| FOIA request (personal records) | Fax: (202) 485-1669 or mail |
| NVC immigrant visa inquiry | Online: nvc.state.gov/inquiry or email NVCInquiry@state.gov |
| Passport status check | Phone: 1-877-487-2778 |
| Apostille/authentication | Mail or walk-in (no fax accepted) |
| Visa application | DS-160 online form |
Send Your Fax Now
If you need to fax the State Department and don't have access to a fax machine, mFax.to is the fastest solution. Upload your document, enter the number (202-485-1669 for FOIA, 603-334-0791 for NVC), and send from your phone or browser. You receive a delivery confirmation receipt — the same proof you'd get from any physical fax machine.
For business or ongoing government correspondence, mFax Business gives you a dedicated virtual fax number so you can receive replies directly, starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). There are no rigid fixed tiers — you build your own plan, picking the exact seats and pages you need with a live calculator and paying only for what you use.