This guide explains:
- Who needs Form DS-11
- What documents are required
- How to apply for a passport step by step
- Passport fees and processing times
- Where to apply
- Common passport application mistakes
- Expedited passport options
Quick Summary: Steps to Get a Passport
- Complete Form DS-11 for first-time U.S. passport applicants, but do not sign it
- Gather proof of U.S. citizenship and identity
- Take a passport photo and prepare payment of fees
- Apply in person at a passport acceptance facility
- Wait for your passport to be delivered and your supporting documents to be returned
What Do I Need to Get a Passport?
Most first-time passport applicants must provide:
- Form DS-11 (completed but not signed)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Proof of identity
- Passport photo
- Photocopies of documents
- Government fee payment
Passport application requirements
According to the U.S. Department of State, Form DS-11 is required for:
- First-time passport applicants
- Child passport applications
- Lost or stolen passports
- Passports issued over 15 years ago
Who Needs Form DS-11 to Apply for a First-Time Passport?
Form DS-11 is the official application form for first-time U.S. passports and certain replacement passports.
You must use form DS-11 for:
- First U.S. passport
- Child applicants under 16
- Previous passport lost or stolen
- Previous passport issued before age 16
- Previous passport expired for more than 15 years
Applicants eligible for standard passport renewal should use Form DS-82 instead.
How to Complete Form DS-11 to Obtain a U.S. Passport
Form DS-11 can be completed online or printed and completed by hand in black ink. You should fill out the entire form carefully before your passport appointment, except for the signature. This is done at your appointment.
Information required for DS-11
To complete Form DS-11, you’ll need:
- Full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number
- Parent information
- Mailing address
- Emergency contact
- Travel plans
Important DS-11 rules
One of the most common passport application delays happens when the DS-11 form doesn’t match your supporting documents exactly.
Need help preparing your DS-11 correctly? My Passport Hub provides guided passport application support to help applicants prepare forms and reduce common documentation mistakes before submission.
What Counts as Proof of U.S. Citizenship for a Passport?
Accepted proof of U.S. citizenship includes certified birth certificates, certificates of naturalization, certificates of citizenship, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and previous full-validity U.S. passports.
Photocopies alone are not accepted. You need the originals or certified copies of your documents.
Accepted proof of citizenship documents
Birth certificate requirements for a passport
To be valid for a passport application, your birth certificate should include:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Parent names
- Registrar seal
- Filing date
Hospital birth certificates, or decorative, commemorative documents, are usually not accepted as proof of citizenship. You need a certified copy.
What if you don’t have a birth certificate?
If you don’t have a certified birth certificate, you usually need to provide alternative proof of U.S. citizenship. Depending on your situation, you could provide documents like:
- Delayed birth certificate: a birth certificate filed more than one year after birth
- Early public records: created close to the time of birth, such as baptismal records, hospital birth records, census records, or school records
- Secondary evidence of citizenship: additional documents used when primary citizenship evidence is unavailable or insufficient
Applications with secondary citizenship evidence may take longer to review because the Department of State needs more time to verify your U.S. citizenship.
What Counts as Proof of Identity for a Passport?
You must present valid government-issued identification when applying for a passport.
Accepted proof of identity documents
You need to provide your original documents, plus a photocopy of the front and back of your ID.
Additional identification may be required
Additional identification may be requested if your:
- ID is expired
- ID was issued in another state
- Appearance has significantly changed
- Documents contain different names
What Are the U.S. Passport Photo Requirements?
U.S. passport photos must follow strict Department of State photo rules.
Passport photo requirements
Top reasons why passport photos are rejected
Based on international travel regulations and government guidelines, passport applications are most commonly delayed or rejected due to strict biometric photo requirements. Top reasons for passport photo rejection include:
- Harsh shadows: Shadows on the face or background obscure essential biometric features.
- Incorrect dimensions or composition: Usually 2x2 inches or 51x51 mm, with the head properly centered and taking up the correct proportion of the frame.
- Edited images: Any digital alteration, including removing blemishes, red-eye correction, or background swapping, invalidates the photo.
- Use of social media filters: Photos must represent your true, unedited appearance. Filters distort natural skin tones and facial proportions.
- Head tilts and posture: Face the camera directly. Tilting your head up, down, or to the side breaks the required symmetry for biometric scanning.
- Low image quality: Blurry, pixelated, or grainy photos, as well as images printed on low-quality paper, are immediately flagged and rejected.
Can you smile in a passport photo?
A natural expression or slight smile is generally acceptable if both eyes remain open and your facial features are still clearly visible.
How Much Is a U.S. Passport in 2026?
A first-time adult U.S. passport book costs $165 in 2026. This includes a $130 application fee paid to the U.S. Department of State and a $35 execution fee paid to the passport acceptance facility.
A first-time adult passport card costs $65 total, and a first-time adult passport book and card together cost $195 total. Optional services cost extra, including $60 for expedited processing and $22.05 for 1–3 day delivery of an issued passport book, where available.
Government passport fees are separate from any optional third-party service fees charged by My Passport Hub.
Passport fee types
Passport book vs passport card
Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and parts of the Caribbean. You can’t use a passport card to fly to these destinations, a valid passport book is required.
Where Do You Apply for a First-Time U.S. Passport?
Most first-time passport applicants must apply in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility.
Places that accept passport applications
You can apply for a passport in person at authorized passport acceptance facilities, including:
- Post offices, such as participating USPS locations
- Local government offices, including county clerk offices
- Public libraries, at selected participating library locations
- Courts, including some courthouses
- Passport agencies, but usually only for limited urgent travel situations
Most locations require appointments. Call your nearest location in advance to find out the requirements.
What Happens During a Passport Appointment?
During the appointment, a passport acceptance agent reviews and submits your application materials.
Passport appointment process
At your passport appointment, the acceptance agent will usually:
- Check your original photo ID to confirm your identity
- Review your proof of U.S. citizenship
- Confirm that your passport photo and photocopies are included
- Witness your signature on Form DS-11
- Collect the required passport fees
- Submit your passport application materials for processing
What to bring to your passport appointment
Bring the following items to your appointment:
- Original proof of U.S. citizenship
- Original government-issued photo ID
- Photocopies of your citizenship and identity documents
- Passport photo
- Payment for passport government fees
- Appointment confirmation, if required
How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?
Routine passport service currently takes around 4 to 6 weeks, not including mailing time. Where available, expedited services can shorten the processing period to 2 to 3 weeks.
The U.S. Department of State says mailing can add up to 2 additional weeks each way, so you should calculate total delivery time as processing time plus mailing time.
For urgent international travel, you can request an appointment at a passport agency or center. Urgent travel appointments are generally for people traveling internationally in less than 2 to 3 weeks, but appointments are limited and not guaranteed.
Processing times may increase during spring and summer travel seasons, as well as holiday periods.
When should you apply for a passport?
You’re recommended to apply:
- Several months before international travel
- Earlier during high-demand travel seasons
Many countries require at least six months of passport validity remaining before entry. Consider this when scheduling your passport application or renewal, so you meet the requirements on your travel day.
How to Get an Expedited Passport
Expedited passport processing may be available if you need your passport faster than routine service. The main options are:
- [Expedited service](ca://s?q=Expedited_service_by_mail) by mail
- [Urgent travel appointment](ca://s?q=Urgent_travel_appointment)
- [Life‑or‑death emergency appointment](ca://s?q=Life_or_death_emergency_appointment) through the U.S. Department of State
You can request expedited service for an additional government fee when submitting your passport application. This option is usually faster than routine processing, but mailing time still applies.
If you have international travel within 2–3 weeks, you may be able to request an urgent travel appointment at a passport agency or center. Appointments are limited, not guaranteed, and usually require proof of international travel.
For qualifying life-or-death emergencies that involve immediate family outside the United States, emergency passport appointments may be available. The U.S. Department of State has separate rules for these cases, and documentation is usually required.
My Passport Hub can help you prepare your passport application package before submission. Expedited processing, urgent appointments, and emergency appointments are handled by the U.S. Department of State.
Additional government fees apply for expedited processing. These fees are separate from the passport application fee and third-party preparation service fees.
What counts as proof of travel for an expedited passport?
Proof of travel may include:
- Airline reservations
- Cruise bookings
- Travel itineraries
- Hotel confirmations
Requirements may vary by appointment type.
To help reduce delays caused by missing information or incorrect forms, My Passport Hub offers guided passport preparation support before you attend your passport appointment. We help you fill out the correct form for your application and explain what to expect at your appointment.
Common Mistakes That Delay Passport Applications
Passport applications are commonly delayed because of document or form errors. To get approval, your form, documents, photo, or payment must meet U.S. Department of State requirements.
Common passport application mistakes
- Signing Form DS-11 before your appointment: Do not sign Form DS-11 in advance. The acceptance agent must see you sign the form in person.
- Having different names across documents: If your ID, citizenship document, or application form show different names, you may need certified proof of name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
- Bringing photocopies instead of original citizenship documents: You must bring original or certified proof of U.S. citizenship. A regular photocopy is not accepted as primary citizenship evidence.
- Submitting an incorrect passport photo: Your photo must meet U.S. Department of State requirements for size, background, lighting, and facial expression.
- Forgetting required photocopies: You usually need photocopies of your citizenship document and photo ID in your application package.
- Using the wrong payment method: Passport application fees and execution fees may be paid separately, and accepted payment methods can vary by location. Check the payment rules before your appointment.
What Happens After You Submit Your Passport Application?
After submission, the U.S. Department of State reviews your application and supporting documents.
Passport processing stages
- Application submitted by the acceptance facility: After your appointment, the acceptance facility sends your passport application package to the U.S. Department of State.
- Application received for processing: The Department of State receives your application and begins reviewing your form, citizenship evidence, identity documents, photo, and payment.
- Additional information requested, if needed: If something is missing or unclear, the Department of State may ask you to provide more information or documents.
- Passport printing: If the application is approved, your passport book, passport card, or both are produced.
- Passport mailed: Your passport is shipped to you. Supporting documents are usually returned separately.
You can track your application status online after processing begins, so you’re aware of how your passport order is progressing.
Special Passport Application Situations
Some passport applications require additional forms or supporting documents.
Applying after a name change
You may need to provide:
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court order
Certified copies are usually required, rather than photocopied versions.
Applying with a lost or stolen passport
If your previous passport was lost or stolen, you usually need to:
- Submit Form DS-64
- Complete Form DS-11
- Apply in person
Applying for a child's passport
Child passport applications usually require:
- Parental consent
- Proof of parent relationship
- Both parents present, or additional authorization documents
Child passports have shorter validity periods than adult passports.
How My Passport Hub Can Help With Passport Applications
My Passport Hub is an independent third-party document preparation service that helps you:
- Prepare passport application forms
- Review supporting documents
- Identify common application issues
- Understand passport requirements
- Reduce avoidable paperwork mistakes
Our platform is not associated with the government. You can also submit applications directly through the official U.S. Department of State website.
FAQ: How to Get a U.S. Passport
How do I get a passport for the first time?
First-time passport applicants must complete Form DS-11, provide proof of citizenship and identity, submit a passport photo, and pay government fees. You need to submit your application in person the first time you apply for a U.S. passport.
What documents do I need to get a passport?
You need a completed application form (the right version for your situation), proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, a passport photo, photocopies of documents, and government fee payment.
Can I apply for a passport online?
First-time passport applicants can’t complete the entire process online because Form DS-11 usually requires an in-person appointment. You can start the process by completing the application form online.
How long does it take to get a passport?
Routine passport processing generally takes around 4 to 6 weeks plus mailing time. Expedited service, if available, can reduce processing times to 2 to 3 weeks.
How much is a U.S. passport?
The standard price for a first-time U.S. passport book is $165. This can vary based on whether you opt in for additional services, like expedited processing, or if you use a third-party document preparation service.
Can I use an expired passport as proof of citizenship?
Previous full-validity U.S. passports may qualify as proof of U.S. citizenship even if expired. Temporary or emergency passports don’t usually qualify.
Passport Application Checklist
Before attending your passport appointment, make sure you have:
- Form DS-11 (completed but not signed)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (the original and a photocopy)
- Government-issued ID (the original and a photocopy)
- Passport photo
- Government fee payment
- Appointment confirmation (if required)