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

Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your form online and then print it. The Form Filler will save time and reduce errors caused by handwriting. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF. Do not sign your form until instructed to do so by a passport acceptance agent or employee. 

Please note:

• The Form Filler will create the correct form for you based on the data you enter. 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.
• You must provide a Social Security number, if you have been issued one.
  • If you do not have a Social Security number, you must sign and date a statement that 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 never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration.”
• You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both documents using Form DS-11.
• You may request a larger passport book, at no additional cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.

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:

• 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 from 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.

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.

An image of sample features of a U.S. birth certificate

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.

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.

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

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.

• Children under 16
• Children 16-17
• Previous passport was lost or stolen
• Owe >$2500 in child support
• Selecting your gender marker 
• Official, diplomatic, or other special issuance passport (only accessible from a U.S. government device)

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.  

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):

Child Applicants (Age 15 and younger):

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

If you are behind in child support payments of $2,500 or more, you cannot get a U.S. passport. For more information, please see Child Support Payments and Getting a U.S. Passport.

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.

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.