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To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of over 8,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.
Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.
1. Provide Application for Passport, 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.)
NOTE: Please do NOT sign the DS-11 application form until the Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so.
2. Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship
All documentation submitted as evidence of U.S. Citizenship will be returned with the issued passport. See Processing Times.
You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:
Previous U.S. Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship.)
Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state
NOTE: 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 your birth. Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship
A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it:
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:
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.
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 showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life.
You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of your birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent.
If you were born abroad AND do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth on file, you will need:
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.
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.
Click here for additional information on documentation of U.S. citizens born abroad who acquire citizenship at birth
NOTE: The following are NOT proof of citizenship
Voter registration cards
Army discharge papers
Information on foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens.
NOTE: If you travel extensively, you may request more Visa pages in your passport at no additional cost. To do so, please attach a signed request for additional Visa pages to be added to your application. 48-page passport s are no longer available in the U.S. or abroad.
FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14:
The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under the age of 14 must list both parents' names. Read more information on the citizenship requirements for minors under the age of 14.
3. 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
Government ID: city, state or federal
Military ID: military and dependents
NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.
If none of these are available , you will need:
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.
FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14:
Each minor child shall appear in person. Both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity when they apply for a minor under the age of 14. Read more information on the identity requirements for minors under the age of 14.
FOR MINORS 14 to 17:
Your child MUST appear in person.
For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child, present identification and co-sign the application.
4. Provide Two Passport Photos
Your 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.
Click here for information on acceptable digitized photos.
Click here for detailed information for professional photographers.
NOTE:Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable
5. Pay the Applicable Fee
Click here to see passport fees.
Methods of Payment -
At Our 14 Passport Agencies -
Both fees and the surcharge are combined into one payment to the ''U.S. Department of State'':
Credit Cards – VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
Debit/Check cards (not ATM cards)
Checks (personal, certified, cashiers', travelers'), money orders (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchange), bank drafts
Note: If abroad, U.S. Embassies and Consulates accept the foreign currency equivalent, or a check drawn on a U.S. bank.
At our over 7,000 Passport Acceptance Facilities -
You pay the passport application fee and the security surcharge to the ''U.S. Department of State'' and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying.
For Passport Application Fee:
Personal checks, money orders, and bank drafts at all locations
Exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)
For Execution Fee:
Money orders and bank drafts at all locations
Personal checks and exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)
Credit cards at U.S. Postal Facilities and some other locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)
Expedite Fee: (See How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry.)
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. |
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