Immigration & Visas
First U.S. Passport: In-Person Application Guide
Guide to applying for your first U.S. passport in person, covering Form DS-11, citizenship evidence requirements, photo specifications, finding an acceptance facility, current fees ($165 for adults), and processing timelines.
Source: U.S. Department of State — Apply for a Passport
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Gather Citizenship Evidence
Obtain proof of U.S. citizenship
Acceptable documents: certified U.S. birth certificate (issued by city, county, or state — hospital certificates are not accepted), previous U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), or Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship. You must submit the original document — it will be returned by mail.
If born in the U.S.: order a certified birth certificate from your state vital records office ($10-$30)
If naturalized: locate your Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
Prepare a valid photo ID for identity verification
Acceptable IDs: state driver's license, state ID card, military ID, or previous U.S. passport. The ID must be undamaged, current or expired within the last 3 years, and include your photo and signature. If you don't have one, you can present 2 secondary IDs (Social Security card plus a credit card with signature, for example).
Make a photocopy of both your citizenship document and photo ID
Bring one photocopy of each on standard 8.5x11 paper. The copies must be clear, legible, and single-sided. For IDs, copy the front and back. The acceptance agent will retain the copies. Some facilities have copiers available for $0.25-$1 per page, but bring your own to save time.
Complete Form DS-11
Fill out Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport)
Download from travel.state.gov or fill out online and print. Use black ink. Include your Social Security number (required by law — 22 U.S.C. 2714a). If you don't provide an SSN, your application will be delayed and the IRS may impose a $500 penalty.
Do NOT sign the form in advance
You must sign Form DS-11 in front of the acceptance agent at the application facility. Signing in advance will require you to complete a new form. Fill in everything else before your appointment.
Choose passport book, card, or both on the form
The passport book ($165 for adults, $135 for minors under 16) is required for international air travel. The passport card ($65 adult, $50 minor) is valid only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Both together: $195 adult, $165 minor.
Passport Photo
Get a compliant passport photo
Requirements: 2x2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, color, white or off-white background, full face visible, no glasses, no head coverings (except religious). Your face must measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to crown of head. Most pharmacy and shipping store photo services cost $10-$20.
For infants and young children: follow specific photo guidelines
The child must be alone in the photo with eyes open. Lay the baby on a white blanket or sheet for a top-down photo. No pacifiers, toys, or hands of parents visible. Both eyes must be open — take multiple shots to get a compliant image.
Use the State Department photo tool to verify compliance
Upload your photo to the free photo checker at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html. The tool checks dimensions, lighting, and background. This prevents delays caused by rejected photos — about 5% of applications are delayed due to photo issues.
Find an Acceptance Facility and Apply
Locate a passport acceptance facility near you
Search at iafdb.travel.state.gov. Acceptance facilities include post offices, county clerk offices, libraries, and some city halls. There are over 7,500 facilities nationwide. Many require an appointment — call ahead or book online. Walk-in availability varies by location.
Schedule an appointment if required
Most USPS passport facilities require appointments booked at usps.com/passport. Appointments fill up fast during peak season (January-June). Book 2-4 weeks in advance during busy periods. County clerk offices often accept walk-ins but may have longer wait times.
Bring all required documents to the appointment
Bring: unsigned DS-11, original citizenship evidence, photo ID plus photocopies of both, one passport photo, and payment. For minors under 16, both parents must appear in person (or provide a notarized DS-3053 consent form from the absent parent).
Unsigned, completed Form DS-11
Original proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate)
Valid photo ID plus photocopies of ID and citizenship document
One passport photo (2x2 inches, taken within 6 months)
Sign the application in front of the acceptance agent
The agent witnesses your signature, verifies your identity, reviews your documents, and seals the application package. They'll collect your original citizenship document (returned separately by mail), photos, form, and payment. The agent charges a $35 execution fee on top of the passport fee.
Fees and Payment
Pay the passport application fee and execution fee
Adult passport book: $165 + $35 execution fee = $200 total. Minor (under 16) passport book: $135 + $35 = $170. Add $60 for expedited processing. Add $19.53 for 1-2 day Priority Mail Express delivery. Some facilities only accept checks or money orders — call ahead to verify accepted payment methods.
The application fee goes to the State Department; the execution fee goes to the facility
These are two separate payments. The application fee ($165/$135) is typically paid by check or money order to "U.S. Department of State." The execution fee ($35) is paid directly to the acceptance facility and may accept cash, check, or card depending on the location.
Processing and Receiving Your Passport
Track your application status
Check status at passportstatus.state.gov after 2-3 weeks. You need your last name, date of birth, and last 4 of your SSN. Status updates include: Not Available, In Process, Approved, and Mailed. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 (M-F, 8am-10pm ET).
Understand processing timelines
Routine processing: 6-8 weeks from mailing. Expedited: 2-3 weeks. Peak season (February-August) can add 1-2 weeks. If you have travel within 14 days (or 28 days for expedited), schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency for same-day or next-day processing.
Receive your passport and citizenship documents by mail
Your passport arrives in a plain white envelope via USPS (or Priority Mail Express if you paid for it). Your original citizenship document (birth certificate, etc.) is mailed separately and may arrive 1-2 weeks later. Adult passports are valid for 10 years; minor passports for 5 years.
Sign your passport and fill in the emergency contact page
Sign your passport in pen in the designated signature area on page 2. Fill in your address and emergency contact information in pencil on page 3 (pencil allows updates if information changes). An unsigned passport may cause issues at border control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a first US passport cost?
A first adult passport book (age 16+) costs $130 for the passport plus a $35 execution/acceptance fee, totaling $165. Adding a passport card costs an additional $30 (total $195). Expedited processing adds $60. For children under 16, the passport book costs $100 plus the $35 execution fee ($135 total). The acceptance fee is paid separately (often by check) to the acceptance facility, while the passport fee goes to the U.S. Department of State.
What documents prove US citizenship for a passport application?
Acceptable primary evidence includes a previous US passport, a US birth certificate issued by a city, county, or state, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), or a Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship. Hospital birth certificates and commemorative certificates are NOT accepted. If your birth certificate is unavailable, you can submit secondary evidence including a Letter of No Record from the state, along with supporting documents such as baptismal records, hospital records, census records, and early school records. This process requires a detailed DS-11 supplement.
Can I get a passport quickly in an emergency?
For life-or-death emergencies, call the National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778) to schedule an immediate appointment at a passport agency. For travel within 14 days (or within 28 days with international travel booked), you can schedule an expedited in-person appointment at one of 26 passport agencies nationwide. Same-day and next-day passports are possible for genuine emergencies but require documentation of the emergency. Appointment slots at agencies are released every Monday at midnight for the following week.
Do both parents need to be present for a child's first passport?
Yes, both parents or legal guardians listed on the child's birth certificate must appear in person at the acceptance facility, or the absent parent must provide a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) and a photocopy of their ID. If one parent has sole legal custody, a court order granting sole custody or a death certificate for the deceased parent is required. This two-parent consent requirement is a child safety measure to prevent international parental abduction. Children under 16 must always apply in person.