Despite possessing a U.S. passport, a damaged one prevents the owner to leave the country to travel, as it makes it difficult for the immigration agency to verify your information. Therefore, to avoid any passport-related inconveniences, make sure that your passport is acceptable.
Determine if you have a damaged or mutilated passport that is unusable and requires a replacement using the list of conditions below:
- Your U.S. passport has missing pages.
- Your U.S. passport is falling apart.
- Your U.S. passport was damaged by liquid affecting the legibility of your information.
- Your U.S. passport has the cover torn or frayed.
The normal wear and tear of a passport is acceptable and does not count as damage. However, if your passport is accounted as defective due to any of the conditions mentioned, you should get a new one.
There are 5 steps to get a new passport.
Table of Contents
Step 1 of 5 — Fill out DS-11
Fill out Form DS-11, U.S. Passport Application. You may get a physical copy of it from a U.S. post office or download it from the Department of State’s official website.
For convenience, you may opt to complete Form DS-11 using an online form filler application. Just remember to print and bring it at the time of your interview.
How to fill out Form DS-11?
Answer all the pages that require information.
First page
Determine whether you are applying for a U.S. passport card, U.S. passport book, or both by selecting the appropriate box. Then, answer the following fields:
- Name — Enter the full legal name of your child.
- Date of Birth — Enter the date of birth of your child in the following format: mm/dd/yyyy.
- Sex — Select the gender of your child. Mark “M” for male and “F” for female.
- Place of Birth — Enter the place of birth of your child.
- Social Security Number — Enter the Social Security Number (SSN) of your child if there is any.
- Email — Enter the email address of your child if there is any.
- Primary Contact Phone Number — Enter a phone number. This could be yours.
- Mailing Address — Enter your full mailing address.
- List of all other names you have used legally — Enter the other names your child has legally used if there are any.
Second page
Answer the rest of the fields:
Name of Applicant — Enter the full legal name of your child in the following format: Last, First, and Middle.
Date of birth — Enter the date of birth of your child in the following format: mm/dd/yyyy.
- Parental Information — Provide your and your spouse’s required information.
- Have you ever been married? — Mark “No.”
- Additional Contact Phone Number — Enter an additional contact number if there is any.
- Occupation — This field is not applicable.
- Employer or School — Enter the name of your child’s school.
- Height — Enter the height of your child.
- Hair Color — Enter the hair color of your child.
- Eye Color — Enter the eye color of your child.
- Travel Plans — Provide any travel plans that involve your child. Enter the required information.
- Permanent Address — Enter your full permanent address.
- Emergency Contact — Enter the person to contact in case of an emergency.
- Have you ever applied for or been issued a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card? — Answer the questions regarding past U.S. passport applications. If your child is a first-time applicant, answer “No” to all the questions.
Do not sign Form DS-11 until instructed by the acceptance agent.
Step 2 of 5 — Gather requirements
You need to gather your proof of U.S. citizenship, proof of identity, and a photograph. You will submit these requirements together with a completed Form DS-11.
Documents proving U.S. citizenship
Submit one of the following as proof of your U.S. citizenship:
- 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
Identification documents
Submit one of the following as proof of your identification:
- 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)
Photograph
You can have your photo taken at a passport acceptance facility that offers photo-taking services, but you can have it taken at a photography studio ahead of time to avoid processing delays. There are photograph requirements you need to follow:
- 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
The fees for obtaining a U.S. passport vary, depending on the age of the applicant. If you are an adult — age 16 and older — the following fees apply to you:
For adult applicants (Age 16 and older):
| Product | Application Fee | Execution (Acceptance) Fee |
| Passport Book | $110.00 | $35.00 |
| Passport Card | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Passport Book and Card | $140.00 | $35.00 |
You can pay the fees in cash, checks, major credit cards, and money orders. Make checks and money orders payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”
Step 4 of 5 — Submit your application
Submit Form DS-11 and the required documents and pay the appropriate fees at the nearest passport acceptance facility.
Step 5 of 5 — Wait for your passport
Wait for your passport to be processed and delivered. In general, it takes four to six weeks to receive it. If you wish to expedite your passport, you can do so at an additional cost. For an expedited application, it takes two to three weeks to receive your passport.