The Holy See issues diplomatic and service passports, while the Vatican City State can issue ordinary passports for its citizens.

About the same number of citizens of the state live in various countries, chiefly in the diplomatic service of the Holy See.

[2] The Vatican City State law on citizenship, residence and access, which was promulgated on 22 February 2011, classifies citizens into three categories: Only for the third category is an actual grant of citizenship required.

Vatican City passports are issued to citizens of the state who are not in the service of the Holy See.

Passports issued by Vatican City are in Italian, French and English,[5] those issued by the Holy See are in Latin, French and English.