Apply Outside the United States

Applying for a U.S. passport outside the United States is different than applying inside the United States. Each U.S. embassy and consulate has different procedures for submitting and processing your final documents.

In most countries, you must apply in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate for all passport services. In a limited number of countries, you may be eligible to access some services by mail. Check the U.S. embassy or consulate webpage for more information. 

Tips for Applying from Canada

  • If you are eligible to renew your passport and need routine or expedited service, skip the trip to a U.S. embassy or consulate in Canada and mail your Form DS-82 to the United States.
  • If you are renewing from Canada and paying your fees on pay.gov, mail your application to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa or a U.S. consulate. Do not mail your application to the addresses in the United States on Form DS-82 if you paid fees on pay.gov. 
  • Use Canada Post as your delivery service when sending Form DS-82 to the United States. Do not use other delivery services. 
  • We will return your completed passport by USPS First Class Mail and cannot return it via 1-2 day or express delivery.  
  • Do not include your Canadian Social Insurance Number on your form in place of your U.S. Social Security Number.
  • When renewing by mail, you must pay by check or money order in U.S. funds drawn from a U.S. banking institution.
  • All first-time applicants and children under 16 must apply in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Canada.
ALL / ALL /

Steps to Apply

1. Fill Out Form

Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your form online and then print it. The Form Filler will save time and reduce errors. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF. 

Renew using Form DS-82 if you respond "Yes" to all statements below about your most recent passport:

  • I can submit it with my application.
  • It is not damaged (other than normal wear and tear).
  • I have never reported it lost or stolen.
  • It was issued within the last 15 years.
  • It was issued when I was age 16 or older.
  • It was issued in my current name, or I can provide another document such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree that is evidence of my name change.
  • It was not limited to less than the normal 10 year period of validity for an adult passport due to multiple passport thefts or losses, or due to issues with passport damage or mutilation. 

If you're not eligible to renew your passport, use Form DS-11.

Please note:
  • Do not sign the application until instructed to do so by the embassy or consulate officer.
  • You must provide a Social Security number, if you have been issued one.
    • If you do not have a Social Security number, you must submit a statement, signed and dated, that includes the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct:  I have never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration.”
ALL / ALL /

2. Provide Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

For Form DS-82
Your most recent passport is your evidence of U.S. citizenship. Please submit it with your application. We will return your old passport book and/or card if you are renewing by mail or in person.

For Form DS-11
Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the raised seal or stamp of the official issuing authority. You must submit one of the following documents:

  • Full validity, undamaged U.S. passport (expired passports are accepted). Full validity means the document is/was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.
  • 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 of the city, county, or state which issued it
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
  • Certificate of Naturalization 
  • Certificate of Citizenship

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

Sample U.S. Birth Certificate
An image of the sample features of a U.S. birth certificate
ALL / ALL /

3. Bring Photocopy of Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (DS-11 ONLY)

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”x11” 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.

ALL / ALL /

4. Present ID (DS-11 ONLY)

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 are changing the gender marker in your U.S. passport, please see these additional requirements.

 

ALL / ALL /

5. Bring Photocopy of ID (DS-11 ONLY)

Submit a photocopy of the front and back of each ID that you present when you apply.

  • Photocopy must be on white, 8 1/2 x 11" standard paper.
  • Photocopy cannot be double-sided.
  • Do not decrease the image size (although you may enlarge it).

ALL / ALL /

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.

Please note, for Children Under 16: A DS-3053 "Statement of Consent" might be required for your child if one parent/guardian is unable to apply in person.  In certain countries, the DS-3053 form must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate and cannot be notarized by a local notary public. Go to the U.S. embassy or consulate webpage for more information. 

 

ALL / ALL /

7. Provide a Photo

To avoid processing delays, be sure your photo meets all the photo requirements.

 

ALL / ALL /

8. Calculate Fees

You must pay fees for passport services. You cannot request a fee waiver for a passport using Form I-912 which is provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This form is for immigration services and does not apply to U.S. passports. 

Your U.S. embassy or consulate website has more information on how much your passport will cost and how to pay. 

Tips for renewing from Canada: We cannot return your completed passport to Canada using 1-2 day delivery services so please do not include 1-2 day delivery fees with your payment. 

Personal checks or money orders must draw on U.S. financial institutions based in the United States and be payable in U.S. dollars. We cannot accept passport fee payments drawing on non-U.S. financial institutions, even when payable in U.S. currency. Acceptable U.S. checks and money orders must have a 9-digit routing number, as in the example below. 

Routing number is the first 9 digits at the bottom of a check. Account number is the next 12 digits. Check number is the last four digits.

 

ALL / ALL /

9. Find Location to Apply and Submit Your Completed Application

Living Outside the United States, anywhere except Canada?

Please contact your U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions.

Living in Canada?

If you're using Form DS-11, please contact your U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions.

If you're using Form DS-82, please send your application via Canada Post to one of the addresses (for either Routine or Expedited Service) listed on the form. If you listed a Canadian mailing address on your application, we will mail your new passport via First Class Mail to that address. We cannot send your passport via 1-2 day or express delivery. 


ALL / ALL /

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call the toll-free number for the National Passport Information Center from outside the United States?

No. If you have questions while you are outside the United States, please visit your local U.S. embassy or consulate website for information.  

ALL / ALL /

Can I pay with a personal check or money order outside the United States?

Yes, if you live in Canada and are eligible to renew your U.S. passport by mail. Personal checks or money orders must draw on U.S. financial institutions based in the United States and be payable in U.S. dollars.

No, if you are in most other countries. When you apply or renew in-person for passport services at U.S. embassies and consulates, only cash (local currency or U.S. dollars), or in some cases, credit cards are accepted. Please see the website of your embassy or consulate to confirm the forms of payment.

ALL / ALL /

Can I pay extra for expedited service or shipping?

No. The expedited service and shipping fees do not apply outside the United States. Your local U.S. embassy or consulate will tell you about pick-up or mailing options. Embassies and consulates can issue a limited-validity emergency passport if you have urgent travel needs.

Tips for applying from Canada: When renewing your passport by mail, you may request expedited service, but we cannot return your completed passport via 1-2 day or express delivery. Do not include money for 1-2 day or express delivery with your application.

ALL / ALL /

On the application, can the permanent address be the same as the mailing address?

It could be. If you are permanently living outside the United States, then they would be the same. Your U.S. embassy or consulate may or may not offer mailing services.

If you are temporarily living or traveling outside of the United States, put your current address as your mailing address and your U.S. address as your permanent address. 

ALL / ALL /

Does my ‘Emergency Contact’ have to be somebody in the United States?

No. Your emergency contact does not have to be somebody in the United States, especially if you live permanently outside the United States. 

Please note: The online Form Filler does not allow you to enter an address outside the United States. If your emergency contact lives outside the United States, please leave this field blank. 

ALL / ALL /

How will I receive my passport if I am outside the United States?

Delivery methods vary by embassy and consulate. Possible methods may include a self-paid courier, the mail service, or picking it up in person. Please check with the embassy or consulate to confirm delivery methods.

Tips for applying from Canada: If you're eligible to renew by mail, send your Form DS-82 and supporting documents via Canada Post to one of the U.S. addresses (either Routine or Expedited service) listed on Form DS-82. Your completed passport will be returned to your Canadian address via First Class Mail. We cannot return it to you via 1-2 day or express delivery service.

ALL / ALL /

Do I have to provide my Social Security number on my passport application?

Yes. You must provide your Social Security number, if you have been issued one.

If you or your child does not have a Social Security number, you must sign and date a statement that includes the full name of the applicant and says: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have (or my child has) never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration.”

Your passport application will be delayed or denied if you do not provide a Social Security number or a statement declaring that a Social Security number has not been issued to you. Contact the Social Security Administration for information about obtaining a new or replacement Social Security number and card.

If you are outside the United States and have an emergency need to travel, but you cannot locate your Social Security number, we may be able to issue you a limited passport for direct return to the United States only.

If you fail to provide the information, you will also have to pay an additional penalty enforced by the Internal Revenue Service. 

ALL / ALL /

What size passport book will I get when I apply outside the United States?

You will automatically receive the large, non-standard passport book. 

Applicants in the United States can choose a standard passport book or the large, non-standard passport book with more visa pages. Both cost the same amount.

Last Updated: September 25, 2023