Apply for a Passport in Person — Instructions DS‑11

Step‑by‑step instructions for submitting Form DS‑11: who must apply in person, what documents to bring, fees, minors, and where to submit.

Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Who must use Form DS‑11?

You must submit Form DS‑11 and appear in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency if any of the following apply:

•You are applying for your first U.S. passport.
•You are under age 16.
•Your previous passport was issued when you were under age 16.
•Your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
•Your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.

If none of the above apply, you may be eligible to renew by mail using Form DS‑82.

Step 1 — Prepare your DS‑11 form

Our system walks you through every question on the DS‑11, validates your answers against government standards, and generates a printable, compliant PDF — no handwriting errors or delays.

Create My DS‑11 Form

Step 2 — Download and print your form

After completing the form, we will review your information and generate the official DS‑11 PDF for you to download.

•Download the completed DS‑11 PDF that our system generates for you.
•To correctly open and view your form, you will need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download).
•Print your form single‑sided on plain white paper.

Do NOT sign your DS‑11 form. You must wait to sign it in front of the acceptance agent who will administer an oath and witness your signature.

Step 3 — Gather your supporting documents

You must bring the following documents with you to the acceptance facility. All items below are submitted alongside your printed DS‑11.

One recent passport photo

•Bring one (1) recent color photograph taken within the last 6 months.
•Photo must be 2″ × 2″ on photo paper, with a white or off‑white background and a neutral expression.
•See our passport photo requirements guide for the full specifications.

Passport fees (two payments)

Payment	Payable to	Notes
Application fee	U.S. Department of State	Check or money order. Amount depends on product (book, card, or both).
Execution fee ($35)	The acceptance facility	Paid separately. Payment methods vary by location — check ahead.

See our passport fee guide for exact amounts by product type and optional add‑ons (expedited service, 1–2 day delivery).

Proof of U.S. citizenship

•Submit the original or a certified copy of your citizenship evidence. Photocopies alone are not accepted.
•Born in the U.S.: certified U.S. birth certificate (issued by city, county, or state — must list full name, date/place of birth, parent names, registrar signature, and seal).
•Born outside the U.S.: Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship.
•A full‑validity, undamaged U.S. passport (even if expired) is also accepted as primary citizenship evidence.
•Include a photocopy of the front (and back, if printed) of whatever document you submit.
•See our proof of citizenship guide for secondary evidence, foreign‑language translations, and special situations.

Proof of identity

•Present a valid, government‑issued photo ID to the acceptance agent (e.g., driver's license, military ID, or government employee ID).
•Bring a photocopy of the front and back of your ID to submit with the application.
•See our proof of identity guide for the full list of accepted IDs and special situations.

Step 4 — Submit in person

Take your completed (unsigned) DS‑11, photo, supporting documents, and payments to an authorized acceptance facility. The agent will verify your documents, administer an oath, and witness your signature.

Acceptance facilities

These are commonly located inside:

•Post Offices
•Public Libraries
•Clerks of Court

Special requirements for minors

Applicants under age 16

•Both parents/guardians must appear in person with the child.
•Both parents must present their own government‑issued photo ID and a photocopy of the front and back.
•Submit evidence of parental relationship (e.g., a birth certificate listing the parent names, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or adoption decree).
•If only one parent can appear, you must also submit one of the following: the second parent's notarized written statement or DS‑3053 (signed and notarized the same day, no more than 3 months old) with a photocopy of their ID; the second parent's death certificate; evidence of sole legal custody; or a DS‑5525 statement explaining why the second parent cannot be reached.

Applicants ages 16–17

•At least one parent/guardian must be aware you are applying.
•Awareness can be shown by the parent appearing with you, providing a signed note with a photocopy of their ID, or paying your application fees.
•The passport authorizing officer may still request a notarized statement of consent (DS‑3053) at their discretion.

Urgent travel notice

If you are travelling internationally within 14 days, you cannot use a standard acceptance facility. You must make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency.

To make an appointment, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1‑877‑487‑2778.

•The automated appointment system is available 24/7.
•This service can only be used if you must travel urgently (within 14 days) or for life‑or‑death emergencies.

After you apply

Track your application status online at passportstatus.state.gov. Your original citizenship evidence will be returned to you in a separate mailing from your new passport.

Frequently asked questions

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Ensure you have all the correct documents before you stand in line. Our system helps you prepare the perfect DS‑11 application packet.

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Requirements and processes can change. This guide reflects information as of February 19, 2026. Always follow the latest instructions on travel.state.gov and your acceptance facility.

Disclaimer: Passport Rush LLC operates PassportVisaRush.com, a private document preparation service that assists clients with completing and organizing passport and visa application forms before submission to official U.S. Passport Agencies.

We are not a government entity and are not affiliated with any U.S. Department of State office or federal agency. We do not offer legal advice. Individuals requiring legal assistance should consult a licensed attorney.

Our online preparation system and customer support are optional paid services designed to simplify and expedite the document preparation process for U.S. citizens. All required forms are also available for free directly through the official U.S. Department of State website at travel.state.gov, but without the guided preparation, document review, and submission support provided by PassportVisaRush.com.