Obtaining your US Passport

First Time Applicants

You Must Apply in Person If:

• You are applying for your first U.S. passport; or
• You are under age 16; or
• Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or
• Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged; or
• Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago; or
• Your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change.

Before you start, please note:

• Special Requirements for All Minors Under Age 16.
• Special Requirements for All Minors Ages 16 & 17.
• Special Requirements for Diplomatic, Official, & Regular No-Fee Passports.
• Special Requirements for Individuals Applying From Outside the U.S.
• If you are behind in child support payments, you may not be able to get a passport (See Child Support).

Submit a U.S. Passport Application in Person (in the U.S.):

Read and understand Steps 1 - 7 before leaving this page.  If not in the United States, please see Applying for a U.S. Passport from Outside the United States.

1. Fill Out Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport
2. Submit Completed Form DS-11 In Person3. Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
4. Present Identification
5. Submit a Photocopy of the Identification Document(s) Presented
6. Pay the Applicable Fee
7. Provide One Passport Photo

1. Fill Out Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport

• Print Form DS-11 and complete by hand; or
• Use our online guide to fill out and print Form DS-11.

• DS-11:  Application for a U.S. Passport

  Complete by Hand
  Complete Online & Print

Please note that you:

• Must not sign the application until instructed to do so by the Acceptance Agent.
• Must provide your Social Security Number in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6039E.  Failure to provide information requested on the form, including your social security number, may result in significant processing delays and/or the denial of your application.

2. Submit Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport In Person

You must submit Form DS-11 in person at an authorized Passport Application Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency.

NOTE: There are special submission requirements for All Minors Under Age 16.

3. Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

When applying for a U.S. passport in person, evidence of U.S. citizenship must be submitted with Form DS-11.  Generally, documentation submitted as citizenship evidence will be returned to you. Returned documents will be delivered with your newly issued U.S. passport or in a separate mailing.

Primary Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (You must submit one of the following.  Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable):

Previously issued, undamaged, and fully valid U.S. Passport (5 year for minors or 10 years for adults) Certified U.S. birth certificate (must meet all of the following requirements):  Issued by the City, County, or State of birth Lists bearer's full name, date of birth, and place of birth Lists parent(s) full names Has date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth) Has registrar's signature Has embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal of registrar Photocopies and notarized copies are unacceptable Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth Naturalization Certificate Certificate of Citizenship

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4. Present Identification

When applying for a U.S. passport in person, acceptable identification with photograph must be presented at the time of application.

Primary Identification (One of the following):

Previously-issued, undamaged U.S. passport Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship Fully-valid Driver's License Current Government Employee ID (city, state or federal) Current Military ID (military and dependents)

NOTES:

• If you cannot submit primary identification, please see Secondary Identification.
• If you apply at an Acceptance Facility and submit out-of-state primary identification, you must present an additional ID document, as well. For example, if you apply in Maryland with a Virginia Driver's License, you must present a second ID containing as much of the following information as possible: your photo, full name, date of birth and the document issuance date.
• If you have undergone or are going through gender transition, please see these additional requirements.

5. Submit a Photocopy of the Identification Document(s) Presented

Bring a photocopy of the front and back of each ID document that you will present when you apply.

• Photocopy must be on plain white, 8 1/2 x 11" standard paper stock, showing the front and the back of your ID.
• Photocopy must contain images on only one-side of each page submitted.
  • If copies cannot be made on the same side of one page, you may present two separate pages; one displaying the front of the ID and the second displaying the back of the ID.
• The paper should be free of other images and/or markings.
• The 8 1/2 x 11" paper size cannot be substituted with a larger or smaller size paper, even if the alternative folds down to the 8 1/2 x 11" size.
• You may enlarge the image of your ID on the 8 1/2 x 11" page, but you may not decrease the size of the image.

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6. Pay the Applicable Fee

Please see Passport Fees for a listing of current passport fees and acceptable methods of payment.

Please note - You will not be asked to provide credit card information on this site. The Department of State does not currently have the option to pay online for passport services, although this service may be offered in the future.

7. Provide One Passport Photo

You must provide one passport photo with your application.  Some passport acceptance facilities provide photo services for an additional fee.  To avoid processing delays, be sure your photo meets all the requirements and is properly submitted with your application.

• When submitting Form DS-11 in person, your photo should not be attached to the form.

Important note:  

You may receive your newly issued passport book, newly issued passport card, and your citizenship documents in separate mailings. For more information visit our Frequently Asked Questions.