Apply for a Passport for the First Time

These instructions are for:

• first-time adult applicants age 18 and older

• adults who do not qualify for renewal because their passport is:

• lost, stolen, or damaged, or

• issued over 15 years ago, or

• issued when they were under age 16

1. What do you need to get a passport? https://www.usa.gov/apply-adult-passport

2. For forms online go to https://pptform.state.gov once you click SUBMIT, you will be taken to the form filler that allows you to electronically. Enter your data and print. The paper form will have a barcode unique to the data entered. Once you electronically complete your answers and print the form, you will then submit the form by mail, or in person, depending on the form type. (DS-82 and DS-5504 for forms by mail; DS-11 for in person form)

3. After you print your form, please review the OMB number, expiration date, and the burden time estimate.

4. Since the data you enter is directly captured in your application’s unique barcode, please do not make any handwritten changes, corrections or additions to the data, or to the form after it is printed, as it may cause data errors and processing delays.

5. If you notice an error after printing your form, or if you leave a field blank, please start over and complete a new form.

6. Alert to families: Please do not use software programs or tools to digitally transfer or copy data from one family member’s passport application form to another, as the barcode and information is only tied to one applicant’s data.

7. For the DS-11 in person form, do not sign your name. You must wait to take the oath and sign the form in front of a passport acceptance agent at a designated passport acceptance facility or in front of a U.S. Department of State employee at a passport agency or center.

8. For DS-82 and DS-5504 forms by mail, you must sign and date the application with the date on which you are completing the online form. Applications submitted without your signature and date will not be processed and will be returned to you.

9. Your information is not saved by the form filler and can no longer be accessed after you print your form. Please carefully check your answers because you cannot correct typographical or data errors after the form is printed.

10. When you apply for a passport using Form DS-11, you will need to pay two fees: one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the facility where you submit your application.

    How to pay the passport application fee:

11. Use a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State."

12. Write the applicant’s name and date of birth in the memo section.

    • Passport book: $130

    • Passport card: $30

    • Passport book and card: $160

Optional fees:

• Add $60 to your application fee if you want faster expedited service.

• Add $22.05 to your application fee if you want your new passport in 1-3 days after it is mailed.

How to pay the facility acceptance fee:

• Find an acceptance facility to learn what payment methods they accept.

  • Facility acceptance fee: $35

Steps to renew a passport online:

You can renew your passport online if you meet all these requirements:

• The passport you are renewing is (or was) valid for 10 years. It must be expiring within 1 year or have expired less than 5 years ago.

• You are age 25 or older.

• You are not changing your personal information such as your name or sex.

• You are not traveling for at least 6 weeks from the date you will submit your application. 

• You have a mailing address in a U.S. state or territory—You cannot renew online using an Army, Fleet, or Diplomatic Post Office address.

• You have your passport with you, it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen.

You will need:

1. The passport(s) you are renewing

2. A digital passport photo

3. Important personal details like your social security number and emergency contact

4. Your credit or debit card for passport fees

• Passport book: $130

• Passport card: $30

• Passport book and card: $160

• 1-3 day delivery (optional): $22.05

If you do not qualify to renew online, you may be able to renew by mail or in person at a passport agency or center.

Apply for a Child's Passport Under 16 for Proof of Citizenship To Prevent Wrongful Detention by ICE:

1. Requirements:

• Both parents or guardians must give their approval for a child to receive a passport and must be present with the child when applying.

• If one or both parents or guardians cannot be present with the child, you will need to show more documents.

• photocopy of your child’s citizenship evidence (along with the original or replacement version that has the seal or stamp) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/citizenship-evidence.html

• photocopy of the front and back of the parent(s)/guardian(s) photo ID(s) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/identification.html

• form DS-11

photocopy requirements:

• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper

• Use a single side of the paper

2. Fill out form DS-11 and print it. Use the Form Filler tool https://pptform.state.gov to complete your child's form on a computer and print it on single-sided paper. Double-sided forms are not accepted. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF. Enter your data and print. The paper form will have a barcode unique to the data entered. After you print your form, please review the OMB number, expiration date, and the burden time estimate. Since the data you enter is directly captured in your application’s unique barcode, please do not make any handwritten changes, corrections or additions to the data, or to the form after it is printed, as it may cause data errors and processing delays.

3. If you notice an error after printing your form, or if you leave a field blank, please start over and complete a new form.

4. Alert to families: Please do not use software programs or tools to digitally transfer or copy data from one family member’s passport application form to another, as the barcode and information is only tied to one applicant’s data.

5. Do not sign your child's application until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent.

6. You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both.

7. You must show your legal relationship to your child

8. You must provide one photo with your child's application. Go to Passport Photo page for photo requirements and to see examples of photos.

• Do not attach or staple your child's photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.

9. You will need to pay two fees: one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the facility where you submit your child's application.

• Use a check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State."

• Write the child's name and date of birth in the memo section.

• It is preferable that each child has a separate check or money order.

• Include the names and dates of birth of each applicant, and the number of applications in the memo section.

  • Passport book: $100

  • Passport card: $15

  • Passport book and card: $115

  • Facility acceptance fee: $35

Optional fees:

• Add $60 to your application fee if you want faster expedited service.

• Add $22.05 to your application fee if you want your new passport in 1-3 days after it is mailed.

How to pay the facility acceptance fee:

• Find an acceptance facility to learn what payment methods they accept.

  • Facility acceptance fee: $35

Apply for a Passport as a 16-17 Year Old for Proof of Citizenship To Prevent Wrongful Detention by ICE:

These instructions are for:

• Any adult age 16 or 17 applying for the first time or renewing a passport issued under age 16 https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/16-17.html

1. Requirements:

• 16-17 year old can apply for passports alone if they have their identification documents.

• You must show a legal parent or guardian is aware in one of these ways:

• Parent Applies with You: One of your legal parents or guardians applies with you 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 Pays Fees: Submit a check or money order with your legal parent or guardian’s name.

• Passports issued to 16-17 years old are valid for 10 years. It cannot be renewed if their passport was issued before they turned 16. Instead, they would need to submit an application in person for a new passport.

• photocopy of citizenship evidence (along with the original or replacement version that has the seal or stamp) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/citizenship-evidence.html

• You must present a physical, photo ID at the time of your application. If you do not have an acceptable photo ID, a parent or legal guardian who can present an acceptable photo ID must sign the application with you. If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID. If your photo ID is a fully-valid learner’s permit, you may need to show a second ID. Go to the Identification page to get the full list of acceptable photo IDs.

• photocopy of the front and back of your photo ID https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/identification.html

Photocopy requirements:

• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper

• Use a single side of the paper

You must provide one photo with your application. Go to our Passport Photo page for photo requirements and to see examples of photos.

• Do not attach or staple your photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.

2. You must apply in person with Form DS-11. Use our Form Filler tool on a computer and print it on single-sided paper. Double-sided forms are not accepted. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF. Enter your data and print. The paper form will have a barcode unique to the data entered. After you print your form, please review the OMB number, expiration date, and the burden time estimate. Since the data you enter is directly captured in your application’s unique barcode, please do not make any handwritten changes, corrections or additions to the data, or to the form after it is printed, as it may cause data errors and processing delays.

3. If you notice an error after printing your form, or if you leave a field blank, please start over and complete a new form.

4. Alert to families: Please do not use software programs or tools to digitally transfer or copy data from one family member’s passport application form to another, as the barcode and information is only tied to one applicant’s data.

5. Do not sign your form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent.

6. You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both.

7. When you apply for a passport using Form DS-11, you will need to pay two fees: one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the facility where you submit your application.

How to pay the 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.

  • Passport book: $130

  • Passport card: $30

  • Passport book and card: $160

Optional fees:

• Add $60 to your application fee if you want faster expedited service.

• Add $22.05 to your application fee if you want your new passport in 1-3 days after it is mailed.

How to pay the $35 facility acceptance fee:

• Find an acceptance facility to learn what payment methods they accept.

  • Facility acceptance fee: $35

Where to Find a Passport Acceptance Facility:

Use this link https://iafdb.travel.state.gov to find the nearest acceptance facility where you can submit your U.S. passport application. Acceptance facilities include post offices, clerks of court, public libraries, and other local government offices which accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Search for facilities by zip code, state, or state/city. You can also find facilities which offer on-site photo services.

Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency:

Go to this link https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html#Map of Passport Office Locations

1. Serves customers by appointment only who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days

2. Processes all applications it receives

The U.S. Department of State runs each passport agency and center. An agency and center is different than acceptance facilities which may include post offices, libraries, and local government offices.

Get a Passport Fast

They offer four types of service:

• Life-or-Death Emergency (must have appointment and international travel)

• Urgent Travel (must have appointment and international travel)

• Expedited - Travel in Less Than 6 weeks

• Routine - Travel in 6 weeks or More

Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel. Processing times + mailing times (up to 2 weeks) = total time to get a passport