How to Apply for a New U.S. Passport
You should apply for a new U.S. passport in person if one of the following is true: You have never applied for a U.S. passport. Your passport was lost, stolen or damaged. Your previous passport expired and was issued more than 15 years ago. Your previous passport expired and was issued when you were under 16. Your name has changed since your passport was issued and you do not have a legal document formally changing your name. 1. Complete the Application for Passport, Form DS-11 Fill out Application for Passport, Form DS-11 carefully but do not sign it until the Passport Acceptance Agent asks you to do so. 2. Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship. There are several documents you can use as proof of U.S. citizenship . These include: If you do NOT have a previous U.S. Passport or a certified birth certificate, you should provide the following: Letter of No Record (issued by the State) AND as many of the following as possible: Baptismal certificate Hospital birth certificate Census record Early school record Family Bible record Doctor’s record of post-natal care NOTES: These documents must be early public records If you were born abroad or have became a U.S. citizen through naturalization, you can use one of the following: If you were born abroad AND do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth on file, you will need: 1. If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to one U.S. citizen parent: Foreign birth certificate, Proof of citizenship of your U.S. citizen parent, AND An affidavit of your U.S. citizen parent showing all periods and places of residence or physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
Previous U.S. Passport (It cannot be altered, damaged or mutilated.) Certified birth certificate* *A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of birth.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad Naturalization Certificate Certificate of Citizenship
showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life.
2. If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to two U.S. citizen parents: Your foreign birth certificate, Parent’s marriage certificate, AND Proof of citizenship of your U.S. parents and an affidavit of your U.S. citizen parents showing all periods and places of residence of physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
1. Present Proof of Identity. You may prove your identity with any one of these, if you are recognizable: Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as proof of identity.) Naturalization Certificate Current, valid Driver's license Current, valid Government ID: city, state or federal Current, valid Military ID: military and dependents If none of the documents in the list to the right are available, you can provide… Some signature documents, not acceptable alone as ID (ex: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.) AND A person who can vouch for you. He/she must: Have known you for at least 2 years, Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, Have valid ID, and Fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport agent.
2. Include Two Passport Photos. Your passport photographs must be: 2x2 inches in size Identical Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance Color Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head Taken in normal street attire Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required. 5. Pay the Appropriate Passport Fees. Application Fee Passport Book (Age 16 & Older) Passport Book (Under Age 16) Passport Card (Age 16 & Older) Passport Card (Under Age 16) $75 $60 $20 $10 Execution Fee $25 $25 $25 $25 Total $100 $85 $45 $35
The U.S. Department of State Passport Services charges an additional $60 to expedite applications. Private passport expediters have a special relationship with Passport Services and can obtain your passport in as little as the same day. Quality of service and fees vary. When applying at a Passport Acceptance Facility , pay the application fee to the "U.S. Department of State" and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying. When applying at one of the 14 Passport Agencies , both the application fee and the execution fee are combined as one payment to the "U.S. Department of State." 6. Provide a Social Security Number. If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office.
Passport Application Processing Time Routine Service The U.S. Department of State Passport Services claims they will process your application in less than 4 weeks from the time of application. Demand can increase this time significantly. Expedited Service** via Passport Services The U.S. Department of State Passport Services claims they will process your application within 3 weeks. Expedited Service** via Private Expediter Private passport expediters have a special relationship with Passport Services. They can obtain your passport in as little as the same day in which they receive your application. Quality of service and fees vary.
** Processing times for expedited service include Overnight delivery service for: Sending your application and Returning your passport to you.
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Disclaimer: U.S. Passport Service Guide is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State Passport Services in any way. The information contained herein is derived from the State Department’s website and is offered “as is” without guarantee to their accuracy and reliability. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document.