Don't Put Souvenir Passport Stamps in Your Actual Passport, Says the State Department

Quick Facts: Souvenir Passport Stamps

• Souvenir and novelty stamps are not allowed in U.S. passports, according to a recent warning the State Department posted on Instagram and X.

• U.S. passports are official government documents, and only authorized immigration officials may add stamps or markings of any kind.

• A U.S. traveler was denied entry into Poland for writing in her passport, and another was nearly denied boarding in South Korea over a misidentified stamp.

• Use a dedicated travel journal, notebook, or stamp booklet to collect souvenir stamps instead of your actual passport.

• The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has already replaced physical passport stamps across all 29 Schengen Area countries.

• Stamps from national parks and the United Nations still count as unauthorized markings and can cause problems at the border.

The State Department's Warning

In recent posts on Instagram and X, the State Department reminded Americans that U.S. passports are official government documents, and unofficial markings of any kind aren't permitted. The agency advised travelers to keep novelty and souvenir stamps in a notebook or journal instead.

That guidance is backed up by language printed inside every U.S. passport book, which states that the document must not be altered or damaged, and that only authorized officials may place stamps or make notations inside it. Since souvenir stamps come from tourist attractions rather than immigration authorities, they technically qualify as unauthorized markings, even if most travelers don't realize it.

Image source: Screenshot from @TravelGov account on X, June 8th

It's Not Just a Technicality

Some travelers have already learned this the hard way. A U.S. citizen was denied entry into Poland after border officials determined that her passport had been defaced, not with souvenir stamps, but with handwritten notes she'd added beneath visa stamps from past trips. She told officials she simply didn't know it was prohibited.

In a more recent case, a traveler transiting through South Korea's Incheon Airport was nearly denied boarding after a Jeju Air employee mistook a legitimate Andorra immigration stamp for a novelty one. A manager ultimately intervened and allowed the traveler through, but the experience was rattling enough that the traveler said they planned to get a new passport when they got home.

The lesson from both cases is the same: border officials and airline staff have wide discretion, and anything in your passport that looks unofficial can raise a red flag, even if it isn't one.

What Counts as an Unauthorized Marking?

The State Department's guidance covers any unofficial stamp, notation, or marking added by a non-immigration source. That includes:

• Souvenir stamps from national parks, theme parks, and museums

• Commemorative stamps from landmarks and visitor centers (including the United Nations)

• Handwritten notes, annotations, or personal reminders added by the traveler

• Any marking not placed by an authorized immigration or border official

If you want to collect stamps from your travels, a dedicated passport stamp book or a blank travel journal is the way to go. The National Park Service's "Passport to Your National Parks" program, for example, is designed for exactly that purpose. It's a separate booklet, not your actual passport.

Image source: Screenshot from Travel.State.Gov Website, June 8th

Meanwhile, Official Stamps Are Disappearing Anyway

Here's a bit of travel irony: just as souvenir stamps are growing more popular, official passport stamps are becoming rarer. The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced traditional passport stamping across the 29-country Schengen Area, using biometric data and digital records to track entries and exits instead. Australia has also phased out stamps as standard practice, though travelers can still request one from an officer. Canada similarly encourages the use of electronic kiosks and eGates, with stamps available on request.

For travelers who love a well-stamped passport as a record of their adventures, that's a bittersweet reality. The official stamps are getting harder to come by, and the souvenir ones were never allowed in the first place.

A nice journal or dedicated stamp booklet holds up better to daily wear than a passport anyway. If you're someone who loves documenting your travels, now's a good time to invest in a proper keepsake book. Your passport will thank you, and so will the border agent on your next trip.

FAQ: U.S. Passport Passport Souvenir Stamps

Can I put souvenir stamps from national parks in my passport?

No. The U.S. State Department advises against placing any unofficial or novelty stamps inside your U.S. passport, regardless of where they come from. The National Park Service's "Passport to Your National Parks" program is meant to be used with its own dedicated booklet, not your official travel document.

What happens if I have unauthorized markings in my passport?

Your passport could be considered defaced or altered, which may make it invalid. At a minimum, unofficial markings can raise questions at passport control and potentially result in delayed entry or denial of boarding by airline staff.

Can border officials deny me entry because of a souvenir stamp?

Yes. Border officials and airline employees have discretion over what they flag, and an unfamiliar or unofficial-looking stamp can be enough to cause problems, even if it turns out to be legitimate.

Where should I put souvenir passport stamps instead?

Use a dedicated travel journal, blank notebook, or a stamp booklet designed for that purpose. Several programs, including the National Park Service's passport program, sell their own booklets specifically for collecting souvenir stamps.

Are traditional passport stamps still being used in Europe?

No. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced traditional passport stamping across the 29-country Schengen Area. Non-EU travelers now have their biometric data recorded digitally instead of receiving a physical stamp.

Is writing in your passport also prohibited?

Yes. The same rules that prohibit souvenir stamps also cover handwritten notes or annotations added by travelers themselves. A U.S. citizen was denied entry into Poland after writing airport names and destinations beneath her visa stamps.

What does the State Department say travelers should do?

The State Department recommends keeping souvenir and novelty stamps in a notebook or journal, and limiting any markings in your actual passport to your signature and emergency contact information only.