In recent years, many nations have been issuing microchipped passports that contain biometric data making counterfeiting much harder and allowing passports to be machine-read at points of immigration. The European Union has also launched its Covid-19 digital passport for all EU citizens and residents, as well as for specific categories of travellers from third countries, as of July 1st.
Most passports follow a common standard in design and content. However, there are still examples that are a bit out of convention in the modern era. From falcons to Egyptian mummies, here are some of the most unusual passports issued throughout history.
For the dead
(Source: Heritage Daily)
Pharaoh Ramesses II (died 1213 BC) was issued an Egyptian passport to allow archaeologists to move his mummified remains to Paris in 1974 due to his deteriorating condition. His occupation was listed as “King (deceased)”.
Falconry
(Source: CNN Travel)
Falcons in the United Arab Emirates are a significant part of the region’s Bedouin heritage but also attractive for smuggling. The country issues passports for them to travel to festivals and competitions safely. Each passport has its own identification number linking to the number inscribed on the falcon’s leg ring and must “be endorsed by the appropriate border control officer who should validate it with an ink stamp, signature and date to show the history of movement from State to State.”
Animal Passports
(Source: Jean van der Meulen)
Animal passports are more common than you might expect. In the US, pets have their own paperwork to cross borders, and in the EU, pets are issued blue booklets. However, even if they never travel, British horses also must have passports to ensure that those treated with drugs are not slaughtered for human consumption.
Toy passports
(Source: Mirror)
Young traveller Emily Harris has a passport with a pink unicorn picture for her toy bear Lily. She mistakenly handed over the toy passport to Turkish customs in 2013 and even managed to get it stamped!
The Royals
(Source: Commonwealth Secretariat)
As all British passports are issued in the name of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, she doesn’t have to retain a passport. The UK Royal Family’s official website explains that “as a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one.” The Queen herself is her own passport.
