Buy novelty passport

A novelty passport can be purchased easily online, featuring authentic designs perfect for film production or themed events.
  • First published:
  • 3 min read
hands inspecting a novelty passport on a table
Exploring the details of a novelty passport for film projects.

What you get with a novelty passport

Film-grade prop passports

High-resolution replicas designed for TV, film, or photography, with permanent 'FILM USE ONLY' marks for legal compliance. Western Stage Props offers a faux US passport for $28.00 USD [1].

Customizable pretend passports

Bulk orders of novelty passport booklets, intentionally larger than real U.S. passports (5.5" × 4.25") to comply with federal law. SJPrinter Store starts at $6.40 per passport for 500 units [6, 15].

Generic international props

Non-specific passport replicas for film, TV, or stage use, with customization options available. IndyProps provides 16-page replicas with visa slots [2].

Digital novelty passports

Free downloadable templates for entertainment purposes only, explicitly non-legal. The Aerican Empire offers a free novelty passport [3].

Bulk custom orders

Minimum orders of 2,500 units with setup fees and 6-8 week delivery. Ambro Manufacturing charges $300 setup and $6.00 per passport [4].

How to Get a Novelty Passport for Film, Prank, or Event Use

  1. Choose the type of novelty passport

    Decide between a pre-made prop or a custom design. Pre-made options like the faux US passport from Western Stage Props cost $28.00 and include a 'FILM USE ONLY' mark for legal compliance (1). Custom designs from SJPrinter Store start at $6.40 per unit for bulk orders of 500, with a larger size (5.5" × 4.25") to comply with federal law [6, 15].

  2. Verify legal compliance

    Ensure the passport is clearly marked as a prop or novelty item. US Props & Effects sells a prop US passport for $20.00 with a warning that using it as a real document is a criminal offense (5). Ambro Manufacturing requires a minimum order of 2,500 units with a 6-8 week delivery window (4).

  3. Check size and design restrictions

    Novelty passports must differ in size or design from official documents. SJPrinter Store’s passports are intentionally larger than real U.S. passports to meet federal requirements [6, 15]. The Aerican Empire offers a free downloadable novelty passport for entertainment only (3).

  4. Confirm delivery time and costs

    Lead times vary by supplier. Ambro Manufacturing delivers in 6-8 weeks with a $300 setup fee (4). Western Stage Props and US Props & Effects offer immediate shipping for pre-made props [4, 5].

  5. Review usage examples

    Novelty passports are used in film, TV, and stage productions. Western Stage Props and IndyProps provide props for high-resolution filming and visa page customization [4, 9]. Hand Prop Room offers generic international passport props for production use (6).

  6. Avoid scams and official channels

    Do not use official government channels for novelty passports. HM Passport Office no longer issues specimen passports for entertainment as of May 30, 2024 (7). The FTC warns against scam websites posing as official providers (8).

  7. Final check before purchase

    Ensure the passport is labeled for film, prank, or event use only. Confirm it meets size and design restrictions to avoid legal issues [5, 6, 15]. Order from reputable suppliers like Western Stage Props or SJPrinter Store [4, 6].

Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees

Purchasing a novelty passport involves certain risks and limitations. These documents are not legal forms of identification. The U.S. Department of State states that a passport is a legal identity document, and using a prop passport as a real one is a criminal offense (9) (5).

When choosing a supplier, ensure the passport is clearly marked as “for film use only” or is intentionally larger than real passports, as required by federal law (1) (10). Be wary of scam websites that may charge fees for services that are typically free or misrepresent their products (8).

Review the return and cancellation policies of the supplier before making a purchase. Many companies do not accept returns on customized orders or bulk purchases. For instance, Ambro Manufacturing requires a minimum order of 2,500 units, which may not be returnable (4).

Understand the intended use of the passport. Many suppliers, like the Aerican Empire, provide disclaimers stating their novelty passports are not legal documents and are for entertainment purposes only (3).

Awareness of these factors can help avoid potential pitfalls when purchasing a novelty passport.

Sources and further reading

  1. Shop Faux US Passport - WesternStageProps.com
  2. Custom Generic Passport Prop Replica – IndyProps
  3. The Aerican Empire – Novelty Passport
  4. Custom Novelty Passport Books for Events & Unique Promotions
  5. Prop US Passport – US Props & Effects
  6. Passport – Generic International – Hand Prop Room
  7. Specimen passports: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK
  8. Avoid scam websites that offer to help you get or renew your passport | Consumer Advice
  9. Passport and Visa Fraud - United States Department of State
  10. Custom Pretend Passport Booklets — 500 Pack, 12 Pages