Applying for a U.S. passport for the first time can be challenging. Especially with the uncertainty of getting your passport application approved. Provide the exact requirements and follow strict guidelines to get the best result.
Table of Contents
How do I apply for a U.S. passport for the first time?
Here are the steps to take to apply for a U.S. passport for the first time.
- Fill out Form DS-11 online or by hand.
- Provide evidence of your U.S. citizenship.
- Bring a photocopy of your U.S. citizenship evidence.
- Present any government-issued identification.
- Have a photocopy of your government-issued ID, front and back.
- Bring a valid passport photo.
- Calculate passport fees.
What are the requirements for a new passport?
- Application Form — Get the fillable Form DS-11, Application Form for New U.S. Passport, online to begin your application for a passport book and or card.
If you prefer to do it online, use a PDF application editor to fill out Form DS-11. Once accomplished, you will need to print it out since passport applications cannot be submitted online. Submit it to the nearest passport acceptance facility.
If you prefer to fill out Form DS-11 by hand, download the form here or go to the official website of the Department of State. You may also search there the nearest passport acceptance facility to get a physical copy.
Whether you fill it out online or by hand, do not sign Form DS-11 until you are instructed to do so by a passport agent or official.
- Personal documents — Aside from the accomplished Form DS-11, here are the personal documents to bring to your local passport acceptance facility.
Citizenship evidence. Submit an original copy of any valid documents proving your citizenship in the United States. You may submit your birth certificate, baptismal, or any of the certified primary and secondary documents.
Government-issued photo identification. If you are over age 18 applying for a new U.S. passport or a parent or guardian identifying an applicant under age 18, submit a government-issued ID of you or the applicant. If you have no government-issued ID, you may choose at least two of the secondary IDs listed on the Department of State website.
Photocopy of the front and back page of your citizenship evidence and photo identification. Photocopy the front and back pages of your documents. The photocopy of your photo identification and citizenship evidence must be on white, 8.5” x 11″ standard paper, black and white, and single-sided.
Passport photo. The standard passport photo must be clear and colored. Use a plain white or off-white background and let someone take a picture of you. Selfies and filters are not allowed.
Passport fee. First-time U.S. passport applicants will need to pay an application fee and a $35-acceptance fee. If you are applying for a passport book, the application fee is $110. For a passport card, the application fee is $30. If you are applying for both, you will pay an application fee of $140.
Where can I get Form DS-11?
Get the latest copy of the fillable Form DS-11 here. You may also go to your local passport acceptance facility to get a physical copy of Form DS-11.
Can you fill out Form DS-11 online?
Yes, you can fill out Form DS-11 online. Get the latest copy of the fillable Form DS-11 here. Print your accomplished Form DS-11 and submit it to your local passport acceptance facility. Bring the following documents:
- Original copy and photocopy of your citizenship evidence and photo identification;
- Passport photo; and
- Passport fee.
Do I need my Social Security card to get a passport?
Yes, Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code and 22 U.S.C. 2714a(f) requires you to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) to apply for a U.S. passport. It is used to verify your identity whether you are eligible to receive a U.S. passport.
If you have never been issued an SSN, contact the Social Security Administration to get a number.
Failure to furnish an SSN may result in significant processing delays or denial of your passport application.
What counts as proof of identity for a passport?
The primary requirement to verify your identity in applying for a U.S. passport is your Social Security Number (SSN). All applicants are required to furnish an SSN to check their eligibility for U.S. passport issuance. If you do not have an SSN, go to the official website of the Social Security Administration to apply for a number.
You may also use other identification documents, such as your citizenship evidence and photo identification.
- Citizenship Evidence
- Fully valid and undamaged U.S. passport
- U.S. birth certificate
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, if born outside the U.S.
- Delayed birth certificate
- Letter of No Record
- Early public or private documents
- Primary and Secondary Photo Identification
Primary IDs:
- Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
- In-state, fully valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
- U.S. military or military dependent ID
- Current (valid) foreign passport
- Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) – commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) – commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
- In-state, fully valid learner’s permit with photo
- In-state, fully valid non-driver ID with photo
- Temporary driver’s license with photo
Secondary IDs:
- Out-of-state driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
- Learner’s or temporary driver’s permit (without a photo)
- In-state, fully valid non-driver ID (without a photo)
- Out-of-state, non-driver ID
- Temporary driver’s license (without a photo)
- Social Security card
- Voter registration card
- Employee work ID
- Student ID
- School yearbook with identifiable photograph
- Selective Service (draft) card
- Medicare or other health cards
- Expired driver’s license
- Form DS-71, for an Identifying Witness
What are the supporting documents for a passport?
To apply for a U.S. passport, you need the following documents:
- Form DS-11;
- Original copy and photocopy of your citizenship evidence and photo identification;
- Passport photo; and
- Passport fee.
If you do not have the primary documents for citizenship evidence and photo identification, here are some supporting documents:
- Secondary Citizenship Evidence
Submit your secondary citizenship evidence with at least two early public or private records. These are the documents created and or issued early in your life, preferably in the first five years.
- Delayed birth certificate (filed more than 1 year after birth). Your delayed birth certificate must include the signature of the birth attendant or an affidavit signed by your parents. Submit it with the early public records used to create it, such as baptism and hospital birth certificates.
- Letter of No Record. If you do not have a U.S. birth certificate, get a Letter of No Record from your state registrar. Submit it with two early public or private records, such as U.S. census or school records.
- Secondary Photo Identification
If you have no primary photo IDs, provide at least two of the secondary IDs listed below.
- Out-of-state driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
- Learner’s or temporary driver’s permit (without a photo)
- In-state, fully valid non-driver ID (without a photo)
- Out-of-state, non-driver ID
- Temporary driver’s license (without a photo)
- Social Security card
- Voter registration card
- Employee work ID
- Student ID
- School yearbook with identifiable photograph
- Selective Service (draft) card
- Medicare or other health cards
- Expired driver’s license
- Form DS-71, for an Identifying Witness
How long does it take to get a new U.S. passport by mail?
You must apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time.
The routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day you submitted your passport application. It includes 12 weeks for processing and six weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
If you prefer a short time processing, pay an additional $60 for the Expedite service. It can take up to 12 weeks from the day you submitted your passport application. It includes six weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
The processing time of your passport application begins the day the passport acceptance facility received your mail. If there is a mail delay, it will affect the processing time for your passport application.
Send your application via trackable mail so you can track it before it enters the passport acceptance system.
How much does it cost to apply for a new US Passport?
The passport fee for first-time applicants varies from whether you are applying for a passport book or card or both.
There is a consistent $35 acceptance fee for every application. If you are applying for a passport book, you will pay an application fee of $110. For a passport card, the application fee is $30. If you are applying for both, you will pay an application fee of $140.
How fast can I get my U.S. passport?
You can get your new U.S. passport depending on the processing and mailing time.
It is helpful if you use trackable mail to know whether there is a delay in mailing your passport application. Mail delay can be a determining factor in how long you will get your new U.S. passport.
The processing time of your passport application has two types of services — the routine and expedite.
The routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day you submitted your passport application. It includes 12 weeks for processing and six weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
Expedite service offers a shorter processing time for an additional $60. It can take up to 12 weeks from the day you submitted your passport application. It includes six weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
Also, delivery of your completed passport can take up to one to two days for $17.56.
Are there any special requirements for applicants age 16 or 17?
Applicants aged 16 or 17, who are not yet legally adults, must be accompanied by one of their parents to confer parental awareness of applying for a new passport.
Otherwise, they can take a signed letter from a parent saying that the parents approve of the passport request, along with a photocopy of the parent’s passport or driver’s license.
Young applicants who do not have a driver’s license to show as current identification, one of their parents who have a passport or driver’s license must go with them to the passport acceptance facility.
Will my birth certificate or naturalization certificate be returned?
Yes, it will be returned to you with your new U.S. passport.
I don’t have my birth certificate. Where can I get a certified copy?
You can get a copy of your birth certificate from the Vital Statistics Office in the state where you were born. You can also order a certified copy of your birth certificate online through registered websites issuing such a vital record.
Do you need to be a U.S. citizen to get a passport?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to receive a passport. One of the primary requirements for a U.S. passport application is citizenship evidence. Failure to provide such documents may delay or deny your application.
U.S. citizenship may be acquired either at birth or through naturalization after birth. Persons born outside of the U.S. may acquire U.S. citizenship through:
- The use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Abroad;
- Establishing a genetic or gestational relationship with the child through DNA testing;
- Filing N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship;
- Filing N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document;
- Applying for Naturalization;
- Acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth by a child born abroad; or
- Applying for the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
I recently received U.S. citizenship through naturalization. How soon can I get a U.S. passport?
You may apply for a U.S. passport as soon as you have received your Naturalization Certificate, which you will submit with your passport application as your citizenship evidence.
Do I need a new passport if I get married?
Yes. There are travel agencies that require passengers to have matching names on their tickets and passports. However, it is not a legal requirement to change your name in your U.S. passport after you get married.
If you want to change your name on your U.S. passport, these are the requirements:
- Form DS-5504, Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals;
- Your most recent U.S. passport;
- Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; and
- One-color passport photo.
Can I fill out a passport application by hand?
Yes, you can fill out a passport application by hand by downloading Form DS-11 online. You may also go to your local passport acceptance facility to get a physical copy of Form DS-11.
Do not sign Form DS-11 unless told by the passport-designated official.
Can an expired passport be used as proof of identity?
Yes, you can use your expired U.S. passport as proof of identity as long as it is undamaged or in good condition.
What are the common reasons new passport applications are rejected?
Some of the reasons that may reject your passport application are:
- Your passport photo does not meet the official guidelines below.
- Submit a color photo, taken in the last 6 months.
- Use a clear image of your face. Do not use filters commonly used on social media.
- Have someone else take your photo. No selfies.
- Take off your eyeglasses for your photo.
- Use a plain white or off-white background.
- You have an outdated sealed envelope.
Once your application has been sealed into the official envelope by the passport acceptance agent, it must be submitted to a passport agency within 5 business days.
- You have insufficient proof of U.S. citizenship.
Your application will be denied if you are not a U.S. citizen or you failed to provide U.S. proof of citizenship. You may submit a birth certificate or an old passport as proof of citizenship.
Can I get a new passport if I already have one?
Yes. You can get a new passport even if you already have one. If your U.S. passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, submit another passport application to your local passport acceptance facility.