How to Apply for a U.S. Passport for Adults?

Apply for a U.S. passport in 5 steps.

Step 1 of 5 — Fill out Form DS-11

Form DS-11, U.S. Passport Application, is a form U.S. citizens and nationals use to apply for their first passport. In general, only first-time U.S. passport applicants can use it; however, there are exceptions. You may use Form DS-11 if one of the following conditions is true about you:

• You are applying for your first U.S. passport
• You are 16 years old or older
• Your U.S. passport was issued when you were under 16 years old
• Your U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
• Your U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago and is now expired
• You changed your name and your U.S. passport still reflects your previous name
• You are requesting a gender marker change in your U.S. passport

If you are renewing your passport, use Form DS-82, U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals. If your passport was lost or stolen, use Form DS-64, Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport Book And/Or Card.

You may get a physical copy of Form DS-11 from a U.S. post office or download it from the official Department of State website.

You can also fill out Form DS-11 using a form filler application online. If you fill it out electronically, you will need to print and bring it at the time of your interview. Do not sign it until instructed to do so by the acceptance agent.

How to fill out Form DS-11?

Form DS-11 is a six-page form. You need to fill out two pages; the other four pages contain instructions.

First page

Aside from determining whether you are applying for a U.S. passport card, U.S. passport book, or both, by selecting the applicable box, you will have to answer the following nine fields:

1. Name
2. Date of Birth
3. Sex
4. Place of Birth
5. Social Security Number
6. Email
7. Primary Contact Phone Number
8. Mailing Address
9. List of all other names you have used legally

Second page

Provide the answers to the rest of the fields:

• Name of Applicant
• Date of Birth

10. Parental Information
11. Have you ever been married?
12. Additional Contact Phone Number
13. Occupation
14. Employer or School
15. Height
16. Hair Color
17. Eye Color
18. Travel Plans
19. Permanent Address
20. Emergency Contact
21. Have you ever applied for or been issued a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card?

Step 2 of 5 — Gather requirements

Aside from Form DS-11, you need to submit your proof of U.S. citizenship, proof of identity, and a photograph to obtain a U.S. passport.

Documents proving U.S. citizenship

You must be an American citizen, by birth or naturalization; therefore, you need to submit evidence of U.S. citizenship. You can submit one of the following:

• Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport — this may be expired
• Birth certificate, meeting the following requirements:
  • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
  • Lists full name and date and place of birth
  • Shows the date filed with the registrar’s office — must be within one year of birth
  • Has the registrar’s signature
  • Has the seal of the issuing authority
• U.S. hospital birth record
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth

Submit a photocopy of the front of your U.S. citizenship evidence. If the back of the evidence has printed information, photocopy it also. Here are some guidelines for photocopies:

• Legible
• On white 8.5” x 11” standard paper
• Black and white
• Single-sided

Identification documents

You must also establish your identity by submitting proof of identity — one that is a permanent ID card and not secondary. Some of the identification documents you can submit include:

• State-issued driver’s license
• Government employee ID
• Current and valid foreign passport
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Enhanced Tribal Card
• Trusted Traveler ID (Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS)

Digital identification cards are not acceptable when you apply for your U.S. passport.

Photograph

There are passport acceptance facilities that offer photo-taking services; despite this, you can have your photo taken ahead of time. To avoid processing delays, observe the following requirements:

• Colored, high-resolution photo
• Use a plain white or off-white background
• Photo size must be 2×2” or 51×51 cm
• Wear regular clothes
• Do not wear any headdress or eyeglasses, unless for religious reasons

The photo you will submit will be your U.S. passport photo for 10 years.

Step 3 of 5 — Prepare fees

Passport fees vary, depending on the age of an applicant. Since you are applying for an adult passport, here are the appropriate fees:

For adult applicants (Age 16 and older)

The application fee and the execution fee are paid separately. You can pay the fees in cash, checks, major credit cards, or money orders. Checks and money orders should be payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”

Step 4 of 5 — Submit your application

You must apply for your U.S. passport at the nearest passport acceptance facility. Passport acceptance facilities are usually in local post offices. To avoid any inconveniences, as passport facilities accept clients on a first-come, first-served basis, you can call and set an appointment before your visit.

When you go to the passport office location, hand in your completed Form DS-11, provide the required documents and photo, and pay the appropriate fees.

Step 5 of 5 — Wait for your passport

The time it takes to receive a U.S. passport varies, depending on the number of passports your local passport facility is processing. Typically, you will receive your passport within four to six weeks. If you wish to receive your passport earlier, you may get it expedited at an additional cost. An expedited passport may take two to three weeks to receive.