Apply in Person for a Passport

Apply in person if you respond "Yes" to at least one of the following statements:

  • I am applying for my first U.S. passport.
  • I am applying with my child who is under age 16.
  • My most recent U.S. passport was issued when I was under age 16.
  • My most recent U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.
  • My most recent U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago.

Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your form and then print it. 

If none of the above statements apply to you, you may be eligible to Renew by Mail.

Applying for a Passport Outside the United States: Learn how to apply in person if you live in a foreign country.

Watch this video to learn how to apply in person.

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Steps to Apply

1. Fill Out Form DS-11

Use our Form Filler tool to save time completing your application. Fill out your form online and then print it. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF

Fill Out Form DS-11 Online

Tips to complete your form:

  • Complete all parts of the form but do not sign your form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent or employee. 
  • Print your form on single-sided paper. We do not accept double-sided forms.
  • Double check the information you entered for your date of birth and previous passport issuance date if you did not get the form you expected to receive on our form filler. 
  • You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both documents using the same form.
  • You may request a larger passport book with more visa pages, at no additional cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.
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2. Provide Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority. You must submit one of the following documents:

  • U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements: 
    • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
    • Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
    • Lists your parent(s)' full names
    • Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
    • Has the registrar's signature
    • Has the seal or stamp from the city, county, or state which issued it
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
  • Certificate of Naturalization 
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Full validity, undamaged U.S. passport 
    • Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. 

If you cannot submit one of the above acceptable documents, or for more information, please see Citizenship Evidence.

Paper only: You cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document. 

Returning your document: You will need to provide your evidence of U.S. citizenship to the acceptance agent or passport employee. We will return your document in a separate mailing up to 8 weeks after you receive the new passport.

Sample U.S. Birth Certificate
An image of sample features of a U.S. birth certificate
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3. Bring a Photocopy of U.S. Citizenship Evidence

In addition to the original or certified copy of your U.S. citizenship, you must submit a photocopy of the document.

Photocopies must be:

  • Legible
  • On white 8.5” by 11” standard paper
  • Black and white
  • Single sided

If you don't want to submit a photocopy of your citizenship evidence, you may submit a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, which we will keep. If you don’t submit a photocopy or a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, your passport processing could be delayed.

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4. Present ID

You must present one of the following identification documents (IDs) to the acceptance agent. The ID must readily identify you.

  • Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card 
  • In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
  • Certificate of Naturalization 
  • Certificate of Citizenship 
  • Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
  • U.S. military or military dependent ID
  • Current (valid) foreign passport
  • Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) - commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
  • U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) - commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
  • Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
  • Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
  • Note: you may be asked to present an additional ID when presenting one of these three documents: 1) In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo, 2) In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo, or 3) temporary driver's license with photo. 

If you cannot present one of the IDs above, or for more information, please see Identification.

Please note:

  • Some states now issue digital ID documents (also known as mobile driver's licenses or mobile IDs). We cannot accept these digital IDs when you apply for your U.S. passport. You must continue to submit your physical, photo ID and a photocopy of the ID.  
  • If you present an out-of-state ID, you must present an additional ID.
  • If you are changing the gender marker in your U.S. passport, please see our Selecting your Gender page.
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5. Bring a Photocopy of ID

Submit a photocopy of the front (and back, if there is printed information) of each ID that you present when you apply.

Photocopies must be:

  • Legible
  • On white 8.5”x11” standard paper
  • Black and white
  • Single sided
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6. Determine any Special Circumstances

If any of the below categories apply to you, you may have additional requirements for your passport application. Please see the relevant page for more information.

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7. Provide a Photo

You must provide one photo with your application. To avoid processing delays, be sure your photo meets all photo requirements.

  • Do not attach or staple your photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee accepting your form will review the photo and staple it. 
  • Some passport acceptance facilities provide photo services for an additional fee.  
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8. Calculate Fees

You must pay fees for passport services. When applying using Form DS-11, you will pay two separate fees - an application fee and an execution (acceptance) fee.

Adult Applicants (Age 16 and older):

Product Form Application Fee Execution (Acceptance) Fee
Passport Book DS-11 $130 $35
Passport Card DS-11 $30 $35
Passport Book & Card DS-11 $160 $35


Child Applicants 
(Age 15 and younger):

Product Form  Application Fee Execution (Acceptance) Fee
Passport Book DS-11 $100 $35
Passport Card DS-11 $15 $35
Passport Book & Card DS-11 $115 $35

Expedited service costs an additional $60. For information on forms of payment and a full list of fees and services, please see Passport Fees.

*How to fill out your check for the application fee. Please note you must pay the execution (acceptance) fee separately to the acceptance facility.

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9. Find Location to Apply and Submit your Completed Application

Inside the United States:

  • You must submit your completed application, supporting documents, photo, and fees, in person at a passport acceptance facility. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment.
  • You may be eligible to make an appointment to apply in person at a passport agency if you are traveling soon. Please see Get My Passport Fast for more information. 

Outside the United States:

Contact your U.S. embassy or consulate.

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10. Track your Application Status

You can subscribe to email updates about your application status, and learn more about each status update.

Note: It may take 2 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is “In Process.” During these 2 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is scanned and sent to us. If your passport status update says “Not Available,” your application and supporting documents are safely on their way to us.

 

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FAQs

Do I have to make an appointment to apply at an acceptance facility?

Some acceptance facilities require appointments and others do not. We recommend calling the acceptance facility ahead of time to verify their hours, acceptable forms of payment, and appointment requirements. Find your acceptance facility.

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Can I mail in my application or apply online?

When applying using Form DS-11, you are not eligible to mail in your application or apply online. You must apply in person. 

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What if I want both a passport book and a passport card?

You can apply for both a passport book and a passport card at the same time on Form DS-11, but you must pay both fees

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How long will it take to get my passport?

For up-to-date information on when you will get your passport, please see Processing Times. If you need your passport quickly, please see Get My Passport Fast.

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Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

  • Delivery to us: Purchase Priority Mail Express from the United States Postal Service for faster shipping of your application to us. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
  • Return to you: Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport 1-2 days after we send it. Include the fee with your passport fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for fastest return shipping. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid. 

You may receive your passport and the supporting documents submitted with your application in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

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How will you send my passport and supporting documents?

After we print your passport, we will send it to you and return your supporting documents. How we send your passport and supporting documents depends if you applied for a book and/or a card and if you paid an additional fee for 1-2 day delivery.    

I applied for a passport book only: You may receive your newly-issued passport and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We can send your passport book via a 1-2 day delivery service.

I applied for a passport card only: You may receive your newly-issued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards via 1-2 day delivery services.

I applied for both a passport book and passport card: You may receive three separate mailings; one with your citizenship documents, one with your newly-issued passport book, and one with your newly-issued passport card. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport book before you receive a second and third mailing with your passport card and citizenship documents.

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I don't have any citizenship evidence or photo ID to apply. How can I get these documents?

Go to our Citizenship Evidence page and Photo ID page for examples of documents we accept.

Don't have a birth certificate?

If you were born in the United States, contact the county, city, or state where you were born and ask for a certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

If you were born outside the United States, follow the tips on the Citizenship Evidence page. 

Don't have a driver's license?

We accept other types of government-issued, primary photo ID. We will accept secondary photo ID if you do not have a primary ID. 

 

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Can I get a passport for free using Form I-912 from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?

No. You cannot get a passport for free using this form, which is a request for a fee waiver and is provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This form is for immigration services and does not apply to U.S. passports.  

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It states on my U.S. birth certificate that it is illegal to make a copy. What should I do?

If you choose not to submit a photocopy, you may submit a second certified copy of your birth certificate. We will keep this second certified copy for our records.

Last Updated: March 7, 2024