1. Provide Application Form DS-11

• To download an application form, please click here.
• Or, forms can be obtained from any passport agency or acceptance facility. (Call to check hours of availability.)
• Many travel agents stock application forms for their clients as well.

2. Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship (for minors under age 14)

Note: Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s). Please see box #3 for documents that are acceptable as proof of relationship.

• Certified U.S. birth certificate; or
• Previous fully valid U.S. Passport; or
• Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240); or
• Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350); or
• Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from BCIS.

• Listed the documentation used to create it and
• Signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, lists an affidavit signed by the parents, or shows early public records.

If you do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need:

1. Letter of No Record

Issued by the state with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you.

2. AND as many of the following as possible:

• These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life.

• Voter registration cards
• Army discharge papers

3. Present Evidence of Child’s Relationship to Parents/Guardians (for minors under age 14)

Note: Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s).

• Certified U.S. birth certificate (with parents’ names); or
• Certified Foreign Birth Certificate (with parents’ names and translation, if necessary); or
• Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parents’ names); or
• Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) (with parents’ names); or
• Adoption Decree (with adopting parents’ names); or
• Court Order Establishing Custody; or
• Court Order Establishing Guardianship.

NOTE: If the parent(s)’/guardian’s name(s) is/are other than that on these documents, evidence of legal name change is required.

4. Provide Parental Identification (for minors under age 14)

• Valid Drivers License
• Valid Official U.S. Military ID
• Valid U.S. Gov’t ID
• Valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo
• Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from BCIS with recognizable photo
• Alien Resident Card from BCIS

NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.

If none of these are available, you will need:

1. 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


2. 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.

5. Present Parental Application Permission Documentation

1. Both parents must appear together and sign or

2. One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 14, Form DS-3053 authorizing passport issuance for the child or

3. One parents appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following):

6. Provide Two Passport Photos

Your photographs must be:

• 2x2 inches in size
• Identical
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• Color or black and white
• 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.

7. Pay the Applicable Fee

Click here to see passport fees.

Our 13 Passport Agencies Accept:

Credit Cards - VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
Debit/Check cards (not ATM cards)
Checks, money orders, bank drafts

Our over 6,000 Passport Acceptance Facilities Accept:

For Passport Application Fee

Personal checks, money orders, and bank drafts at all locations
Exact cash at some locations

For Execution Fee

Money orders and bank drafts at all locations
Personal checks and exact cash at some locations
Credit cards at U.S. Postal Facilities and some other locations

*Note: When applying at one of the thousands of designated application acceptance facilities in the U.S., you pay the application processing fee to the “U.S. Department of State” and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying. When applying at a Regional Passport Agency, both fees are combined into one payment to the “U.S. Department of State.”

Expedite Fee: ( See How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry .)

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.