A first-time adult U.S. passport applicant generally uses Form DS-11 and applies in person at an authorized acceptance facility or passport agency. Prepare citizenship evidence, identification, required photocopies, a compliant photo, and the correct payments. Different rules apply to children and some applicants with prior passports. [1]
Prepare the document packet
- Complete the current DS-11 but wait to sign until the authorized agent instructs you.
- Bring acceptable evidence of U.S. citizenship, such as a qualifying birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
- Bring acceptable identification and the photocopies required by the instructions.
- Provide a passport photo meeting the State Department’s specifications.
- Gather name-change documents if your records use different names.
Read the citizenship-evidence requirements carefully. A hospital souvenir birth record is different from an acceptable government-issued birth certificate. If ordinary evidence is unavailable, review the secondary-evidence procedure before the appointment rather than hoping an explanation will replace the missing records. [1]
Choose the travel document
A passport book supports international air travel as well as other qualifying travel. A passport card has limited land and sea uses and cannot replace a passport book for international flights. Select the document based on the trip you actually plan. [1]
Budget for separate fees
As checked October 31, 2026, the adult DS-11 passport-book application fee is $130, plus a $35 acceptance fee. A card or a book-and-card combination has a different application fee. Expedited service, return delivery, and photographs can add costs. Confirm the current fee table before paying. [2]
At an acceptance facility, the application and acceptance fees go to different recipients and may require different payment methods. Check the facility’s appointment and payment instructions. Mailing time is separate from agency processing, so avoid treating an estimated processing period as a guaranteed delivery date.
After submission
Keep the application information, payment record, and tracking details. Citizenship documents and the new passport may return separately. For applicants under 16, consent and parental-authority requirements need additional attention; see applying for a child's passport without one parent's consent. Before booking travel, also review passport denial restrictions if a legal or financial hold may apply.
Primary sources
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.