For CIP documentary verification recordkeeping for a US Passport, would the field on the passport named "Authority" be considered the issuing location? I just looked at a passport and that seems the logical equivalent to the issuing location. The passport had "Charleston Passport Center" in the "Authority" field. I checked the US Dept of State Website and that is one of the processing centers.

Any opinion?

I believe you are correct, the authority section does list the issuing location.

Thanks.