New research from travel insurance experts Travel Guard has revealed which U.S. states are most eager to travel abroad — with passport demand soaring nationwide.
By analyzing Google search data for terms such as “apply for passport” and “passport agency near me,” the study highlights where interest in obtaining a passport has surged most sharply year-on-year.
Key findings include:
- Washington leads the nation, with passport-related searches up 50% year-on-year
- New Jersey (49%) and Minnesota (39%) follow closely behind
- Hawaii (4%) and Mississippi (6%) record the smallest increases in search demand
Experts suggest the spike may be linked to the Real ID deadline (May 2025), which requires domestic air travelers to present either a Real ID–compliant license or a valid passport. As a result, many Americans have turned to passports as a secure, universally accepted form of identification.
To help first-time international travelers prepare, Travel Guard has also shared practical tips, from applying early and checking passport validity to enrolling in the State Department’s STEP program for safer travel.
If you decide to cover the findings, please credit Travel Guard with a link to: https://www.travelguard.com/
- Overall, the demand for passports in the U.S. has risen by 23% year-on-year, with more than 12.8 million searches in the past 12 months
- Washington tops the list with a 50% year-on-year increase in passport-related searches, New Jersey (49%) and Minnesota (39%) follow closely behind
- Hawaii (4%) and Mississippi (6%) records the lowest growth in passport searches
The demand for passports is at an all-time high in America. As of early 2025, more than 170 million U.S. passports are in circulation, a record high¹ that reflects the nation’s drive to be travel-ready. This figure is up from around 160 million in 2023², and nearly 37% higher than in 2013, underscoring the nation’s eagerness to travel.
New research from travel insurance experts Travel Guard, tracked Google searches for passport-related terms such as ‘apply for passport’, ‘how to get a passport’, and ‘passport agency near me’, across all 50 states to reveal where demand is the highest.
Washington Named America’s Passport Hotspot
Ranking in first place, Washington records the sharpest surge at 50%, reflecting the Pacific Northwest’s strong appetite for international travel. Across the country, New Jersey follows closely at 49%, perhaps boosted by its proximity to New York City’s major airports. Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” rounds out the top three with a 39% increase, suggesting Midwestern travelers are also eager to spread their wings.
In contrast, the weakest demand for passports is found in the South and island states. Hawaii records the smallest gain at just 4%, perhaps unsurprising in a state where travel abroad is less common compared to inter-island or mainland trips. Mississippi (6%) and Utah (7%) follow, suggesting less urgency to secure passports. South Carolina (13%) and Wyoming (13%) also rank near the bottom.
Why Now?
The Real ID Act came into force in May 2025 and now requires passengers boarding a domestic flight in the U.S. to present either a Real ID–compliant driver’s license or another accepted form of identification, such as a valid passport, which may have prompted this spike in searches.
While many travelers may choose to upgrade their driver licenses, others turn to passports as a guaranteed, widely recognized form of identification. This change likely pushed thousands of Americans, even those not planning international trips, to look up how to apply for a passport, locate an agency, or book an appointment.
The Real ID rollout could have acted as a “tipping point,” reminding travelers that securing proper documentation is no longer optional.
Official data also shows that actual travel activity is increasing. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office reports that outbound international trips by U.S. citizens increased by 2.5% in mid-2025 compared with the previous year, with more than 11.4 million Americans travelling abroad that month alone3. This rise mirrors the wider rebound in post-pandemic international travel seen globally, as more travelers resume exploring the world.
