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Apply for Your Passport as a 16-17 Year Old
Review these instructions if you are 16 or 17 years old applying.
What to know before you start
- You must apply in person on Form DS-11 for your first adult passport.
- You must show 1 parent or legal guardian is aware that you are applying.
- Passports for applicants 16 and older are valid for 10 years.
Steps to apply
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Use our Form Filler tool on a computer. Print it on single-sided paper. We do not accept double-sided forms.
- Do not sign your form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent.
- You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both.
- If you travel internationally several times each year, you can request a passport book with extra visa pages. Check the “large book” box at the top of the application.
- Download a PDF if you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler.
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You must provide 1 of the following documents:
- A U.S. birth certificate
- A full validity, undamaged U.S. passport. This means the passport is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or any birth document issued by the U.S. Department of State.
- A Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
- If you have an Alien Registration Number (A-Number) from U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and you are applying for the first time, include the A-Number on your passport application.
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You must present a physical, photo identification (ID) at the time of your application.
- The most common photo ID we accept is a fully-valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo.
- If your photo ID is from a different state than the state you are applying in, bring a second photo ID.
- If your photo ID is a fully-valid learner’s permit, you may need to show a second ID. Visit Photo Identification for the full list of acceptable photo IDs.
- If you do not have an acceptable photo ID, a parent or legal guardian who can present acceptable photo ID must sign the application with you.
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You must show a legal parent or guardian is aware in 1 of these ways:
- Parent applies with you: 1 of your legal parents or guardians applies with you, presents an acceptable photo ID, and signs Form DS-11. Bring a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID.
- Parent signs note: Submit a signed note from your legal parent or guardian. Bring a photocopy of that parent or guardian’s ID.
- Parent listed as emergency contact: List a parent or guardian in the emergency contact section of your application.
- Parent pays fees: Submit a check with your legal parent or guardian’s name.
If it isn’t clear your parent is aware you are applying, we may ask you to submit a notarized statement on Form DS-3053 from your parent or guardian. You will need to include a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID.
If you are enrolled in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program, we will contact the parent or guardian who enrolled you before we issue your passport.
Some U.S. states allow you to get your statement notarized electronically or remotely. We can accept a statement notarized electronically under state law. You should also provide a printed copy when applying for a passport. If you have questions about these services, contact a notary public in your state.
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Photocopy requirements
- Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
- Use a single side of the paper
- Black and white (no color)
Additional application requirements
You must also provide more documents if:
- Your current valid passport is lost or stolen. Complete and submit Form DS-64.
- Your valid passport is damaged.
- Provide a signed statement explaining the damage and submit the damaged passport.
- Examples of passport damage include water damage, mold, stains, significant tears, unofficial markings, or missing pages. Normal wear such as folded pages or small bends does not count as a damaged passport.
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You must provide 1 photo with your application. Visit Passport Photos for photo requirements and to review examples.
Do not attach or staple your photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it for you.
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You must submit your passport application, documents, and fees at an authorized passport acceptance facility. The passport agent will verify your ID, give you an oath, and have you sign the application.
When you apply for a passport using Form DS-11, you must pay 2 fees. The passport application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State, and the facility acceptance fee goes to the facility where you submit your application.
Adult applicants (age 16 and older)
Document Form Passport Application Fee Facility Acceptance Fee $130
$35
$30
$35
$160
$35
How to pay your passport application fee
Use a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State." Write the applicant’s name and date of birth in the memo section.
How to pay the acceptance facility fee
Find an acceptance facility to pay the $35 fee. Find out what payment methods they accept.
For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, go to Passport Fees.
Expedited delivery fees
- For faster expedited service, add $60 to your application fee.
- If you want us to receive your application faster, pay at the acceptance facility for faster Priority Mail Express shipping. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
- If you want your new passport in 1-3 days after we mail it, add $22.05 to your application fee.
Processing times
Current processing times are:
- 4-6 weeks for routine service
- 2-3 weeks for expedited service (extra $60).
Our processing times do not include mailing times. Consider the total time it will take to receive your passport when you are booking travel.
It may take 2 weeks for your application to get to us. After we finish processing, add 2 more weeks for you to get your new passport in the mail.
Delivery and mailing times may be different in your area. Check your email for status updates or visit passportstatus.state.gov to get information on when your passport will arrive.
Submitting your application in the United States
Where you apply depends on how soon you are traveling.
Traveling in more than 3 weeks
Go to a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment.
Traveling internationally in less than 3 weeks
Make an appointment to apply at a passport agency or center once you're within 14 days of travel.
Submitting your application abroad
Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions.
After you apply
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After you sign and submit your passport application, the facility will mail it to the U.S. Department of State for processing. This may take up to 2 weeks.
We will send status updates to the email address you provided on your application. You will know we are processing the application when you get an email update of “In Process.” You can also check the status of the application online.
If you have not received application status updates, want to change the email receiving status updates, or want to learn more about each status update, visit Checking Your Application Status.
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If you ordered a passport book, it will arrive via a trackable delivery service. If you ordered a passport card, it will arrive via First Class Mail.
We return your supporting documents by First Class Mail to the mailing address you listed in your application.
- These documents include a previous passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
- You can expect to receive these documents up to 4 weeks after your passport book or card.
If you have been waiting more than 4 weeks for your documents, dial 877-487-2778 to report that you have not received your documents.
If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date when we mailed your passport.
Provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document.