There is no ordinary Vatican passport to renew, and nobody is a Vatican citizen in the way people are citizens of other countries. Vatican citizenship is functional: it is granted by reason of office or residence and it lapses when that office ends. It is not acquired by birth on the territory, and it does not pass to children by descent.
Quick facts
The Holy See’s mission in the United States is the Apostolic Nunciature on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington. The nuncio is ambassador to the American government and the link between the Catholic hierarchy here and Rome. It is not a consulate and does not handle personal document matters.
What actually exists
| Question | The position | Where to go instead |
|---|---|---|
| Vatican passport for a private person | Does not exist | Your own country’s authorities |
| Citizenship by descent | Not available | See the citizenship page |
| Consular assistance | Not provided | Your own consulate |
| Baptism or marriage record | Held by the parish | See the records page |
| Diplomatic business | The Nunciature | Washington |
Holy See passports that do exist are diplomatic or service documents issued to those serving the Church in a capacity that requires one. They are not applied for by members of the public.
What to do instead
- For a passport, deal with the country whose nationality you hold.
- For a baptismal or marriage certificate, contact the parish where it took place.
- For a canonical matter, contact your diocese, not the Nunciature.
- For travel to Vatican City, follow Italian and Schengen entry rules.
- For documents destined for a Church body, see the documents page here.
- Reserve the Nunciature for genuinely diplomatic business.
Documents people usually want
- Baptismal certificate, from the parish of baptism.
- Confirmation and marriage records, also parish-held.
- Letters of suitability or freedom to marry, through the diocese.
- Decrees in canonical cases, through the diocesan tribunal.
- Your own national passport, from your own government.
Where the mission is
The Apostolic Nunciature stands on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, in the Embassy Row district.
No offices currently listed.
Additional notes
Around eight hundred citizens
The entire citizen body is a few hundred people, most of them clergy, officials and members of the Swiss Guard. It is the smallest citizenry of any state, and a temporary one.
The Holy See and Vatican City
Two different things: the Holy See is the sovereign entity that conducts diplomacy, Vatican City is the territory. Diplomatic relations are with the Holy See.
No consulates anywhere
Not just none in the United States. The Holy See maintains nunciatures, not consular posts.
This page will not help you get a passport
And any service offering one is not offering anything real.