MS sees small rise in passport demand in 2025, study finds
Americans are showing more interest in getting a passport than ever before, with more than 12.8 million passport-related Google searches in the past year, a recent study found.
“The demand for passports is growing nationwide, further highlighting how important they’ve become for travel readiness in the U.S.,” said a spokesperson for Travel Guard, a travel insurance company that conducted the study.
Interest in getting a passport is translating to action, too. More than 27 million passports have been issued in the United States in fiscal 2025, an increase of about 12.5% from the previous year, according to data from the U.S. Department of State.
But the growth in passport demand varies widely by state, and Mississippi is among the states that recorded the smallest growth in passport interest, according to the study by Travel Guard.
The Magnolia State had a 6% year-over-year increase in passport demand, 44 percentage points less than Washington — the state with the highest growth rate, the study found.
These are the U.S. states that saw the greatest and lowest increases in passport demand, according to Travel Guard’s study, which analyzed Google search interest.
Which U.S. states saw the least demand for passports?
These states searched for passport-related terms the least, according to Travel Guard:
1. Hawaii, 4% year-over-year increase
2. Mississippi, 6%
3. Utah, 7%
4. South Carolina, 13%
5. Wyoming, 13%
Which U.S. states saw the most demand for passports?
These are the top 10 states that searched for passport-related terms, according to Travel Guard:
1. Washington, 50% year-over-year increase
2. New Jersey, 49%
3. Minnesota, 39%
4. Oregon, 38%
5. Tennessee, 32%
6. Montana, 31%
7. Arizona, 30%
8. Illinois, 29%
9. Pennsylvania, 29%
10. New York, 29%
How did travel insurance company conduct study?
Travel Guard analyzed Google search data between Sept. 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2025 to learn where passport-related searches were happening most.
The company looked at search terms for the following key words, according to researchers: “apply for passport,” “how to get a passport,” “passport application,” “passport agency near me,” “passport appointment.”
Tips for travelers getting a passport for the first time
Here are some helpful tips for first-time international travelers applying for a passport, according to Travel Guard:
1. Apply early. Passport processing times vary from four to six weeks
2. Check your passport validity
3. Make copies of your passport in case it’s lost or stolen
