How to Apply for Your
First U.S. Passport
Using Form DS-11

Confirm That Form DS-11 Applies to You

Form DS-11 is the application for a new U.S. passport. You must use DS-11 if any of the following applies to you. If none of these apply, you may be eligible to renew by mail using DS-82.

Complete Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order. Arriving at the acceptance facility unprepared or with an unsigned form are the most common causes of delays and wasted trips.

1. 2

   Complete Form DS-11 Online — Do Not Sign It Yet

   Visit travel.state.gov and use the online DS-11 form filler. Complete every field using your legal name exactly as it appears on your citizenship document. Double-check your date of birth and Social Security Number.

   Print the completed form when done. Do not sign it. Signing DS-11 before appearing in front of an acceptance agent will invalidate the application entirely, and you will need to start over. Your signature must be witnessed by an authorized acceptance agent — this is a legal requirement.

   Tip: The travel.state.gov online filler creates a machine-readable barcode that speeds up processing at the center. Use it instead of filling out a paper form by hand. Sessions can expire, so print immediately once complete.
2. 3

   Gather All Required Documents

   Bring every item listed below. The acceptance agent cannot process an incomplete application — missing one document means you leave and reschedule.

   1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship (choose one)

   • ✓
     Certified birth certificate — Must have a raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal from the issuing authority (state or local vital records office), the registrar’s signature, and the date filed. Photocopies, hospital-issued certificates, and “abstract” certificates are NOT accepted.
   • ✓
     Previous U.S. passport — Only if it expired more than 15 years ago or was issued when you were under 16. (If it expired recently, use DS-82 instead.)
   • ✓
     Certificate of Naturalization — USCIS Form N-550 or N-570 (original).
   • ✓
     Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) — Form FS-240 or DS-1350.
   • ✓
     Certificate of Citizenship — USCIS Form N-560 or N-561.

   2. Proof of Identity (choose one) + Front-and-Back Photocopy

   • ✓
     Valid or recently expired (within ~3 years) state driver’s license or ID
   • ✓
     Valid or recently expired government or military ID
   • ✓
     Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship (if not already used as citizenship proof)
   • ✓
     Permanent Resident Card (establishes identity only, not citizenship)

   ⚠️

   Photocopy is mandatory

   You must submit a clear front-and-back photocopy of your identity document on plain 8.5″×11″ white paper (not photo paper). The original ID and the photocopy are submitted together and both are retained initially.

   3. Completed (Unsigned) Form DS-11

   • ✓
     Your printed, completed DS-11 — all fields filled in, no signature yet.

   4. One Passport Photo

   • ✓
     One color photo, exactly 2″×2″, taken within the past 6 months, white or off-white background, no glasses, neutral expression, eyes open and looking directly at camera. See full photo requirements →

   5. Payment (two separate payments)

   • ✓
     $130.00 passport book fee — personal check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State”
   • ✓
     $35.00 acceptance fee — payable to the acceptance facility (payment methods vary by location)
   • ✓
     Add $30.00 if you also want a passport card (to the Department of State check)
   • ✓
     Add $60.00 if you want expedited processing (to the Department of State check)
3. 4

   Find a Passport Acceptance Facility

   DS-11 applications cannot be mailed — you must appear in person at an authorized acceptance facility. There are more than 7,000 locations nationwide, including:

   • 📍
     U.S. Post Offices — the most common; most require an appointment for passport services
   • 📍
     Clerks of Court / County Courthouses
   • 📍
     Public Libraries
   • 📍
     City and County Government Offices
   • 📍
     Some Banks and Financial Institutions

   Always call ahead: Hours for passport acceptance services are often different from a facility’s regular hours. Many post offices designate only certain days or time windows for passport appointments.

   🗺 Search Acceptance Facilities
4. 5

   Appear in Person — Sign DS-11 in Front of the Agent

   Arrive with your complete document package. The acceptance agent will review everything, then ask you to sign Form DS-11 in their presence. This sworn signature certifies that everything in the application is true and correct.

   The agent will verify your identity and citizenship documents, witness your signature, collect your photo and ID photocopy, take your application fee (payable to the U.S. Department of State), and give you a receipt to use for tracking.

   📌

   Special Rule for Children Under 16

   Both parents or guardians must appear together, OR one parent may appear with a notarized DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) signed by the absent parent. If only one parent has sole legal custody, bring a certified copy of the custody order. These rules are strictly enforced and no exceptions are made.
5. 6

   Pay the Application Fees

   There are two separate fees paid to two different parties at the same visit. Have both payments prepared before you arrive:

   • 💳
     $130 passport book fee — paid to the U.S. Department of State by check or money order. Write your date of birth and last 4 digits of your Social Security Number on the memo line.
   • 💳
     $35 acceptance fee — paid to the acceptance facility. Call ahead to confirm their accepted payment methods (many accept only checks or money orders).

   If you are applying for both a passport book and card, add $30 to the Department of State payment for a combined total of $160 (plus $35 acceptance fee). Adding the expedite service adds $60 to the Department of State payment.

   Cash warning: Many acceptance facilities, especially post offices, do not accept cash or credit cards for the Department of State fee. Bring a personal check or money order to avoid having to reschedule.
6. 7

   Track Your Application and Receive Your Passport

   After you submit, the acceptance facility mails your application to a processing center within a few business days. You can check status using:

   • 🌐
     Online: travel.state.gov → “Check Passport Application Status” — you’ll need your last name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of SSN. Status usually becomes available 2–3 weeks after submission.
   • 📞
     Phone: 1-877-487-2778 (Mon–Fri 8am–10pm ET; Sat–Sun 10am–3pm ET). Automated system available 24/7; live agent available during business hours.

   Your citizenship documents (like your birth certificate) will be returned by mail separately, typically before the passport arrives. Do not be alarmed when documents arrive without the passport — this is normal.

   Urgent travel: If you have international travel booked within 3 business days due to a life-or-death emergency, call 1-877-487-2778 to request an emergency appointment at a regional passport agency. You must show proof of the emergency and proof of travel.

How Long Will It Take in 2026?

Processing times are estimates based on application volume. Times begin when the processing center receives your application, not when you submit at the acceptance facility. Always verify current times at travel.state.gov.

Complete 2026 Passport Fee Table

All fees are set by the U.S. Department of State. Confirm current fees at travel.state.gov before submitting your payment.

* Fees verified January 2026. Always confirm current fees at travel.state.gov before submitting payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions we receive about applying for a first U.S. passport with Form DS-11.

More Passport Resources