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Can I collect passport numbers from participants in Texas? What are the requirements?

Based on the documents provided, there is no explicit requirement or prohibition for collecting passport numbers from participants in Texas. However, there are requirements for collecting and using social security numbers and driver’s license numbers in Texas [2.1][3.2][3.3].

Tex. Bus. & Com. Section 501.001 states that a person, other than a government or a governmental subdivision or agency, may not intentionally communicate or otherwise make available to the public an individual’s social security number. Additionally, a person may not display an individual’s social security number on a card or other device required to access a product or service provided by the person. Furthermore, a person may not require an individual to transmit the individual’s social security number over the Internet unless the Internet connection is secure or the social security number is encrypted. A person may not require an individual’s social security number for access to an Internet website unless a password or unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required for access. Finally, a person may not print an individual’s social security number on any material sent by mail, unless state or federal law requires that social security number to be included in the material.

Tex. Bus. & Com. Section 501.101 also addresses the use of consumer driver’s license or social security number by a merchant or certain third party. A merchant or a third party under contract with a merchant who requires a consumer returning merchandise to provide the consumer’s driver’s license or social security number may use the number or numbers provided by the consumer solely for identification purposes if the consumer does not have a valid receipt for the item being returned and is seeking a cash, credit, or store credit refund. However, a merchant or a third party under contract with a merchant may not disclose a consumer’s driver’s license or social security number to any other third party, including a merchant, not involved in the initial transaction. A merchant or a third party under contract with a merchant may use a consumer’s driver’s license or social security number only to monitor, investigate, or prosecute fraudulent return of merchandise. Finally, a merchant or a third party under contract with a merchant shall destroy or arrange for the destruction of records containing the consumer’s driver’s license or social security number at the expiration of six months from the date of the last transaction.

Tex. Admin. Code §15.181 states that an applicant for an election identification certificate must affirm that the person is obtaining the certificate for the purpose of satisfying Election Code, §63.001(b) and does not have another form of identification described by Election Code, §63.0101. An applicant who has been issued a passport that has not expired or that expired no earlier than four years before the date of application is not eligible to receive an election identification certificate.

Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a legal expert to determine the legality of collecting passport numbers in Texas.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Texas