How to Get a Passport Book: Application Steps

A U.S. passport book is the standard passport for international air travel and can also be used for international travel by land or sea. The steps below cover an adult applying for a first passport or one who does not qualify to renew by mail. Application rules can vary for children, renewals, and special circumstances, so check the U.S. Department of State’s instructions for your situation before preparing your paperwork.

What You’ll Need

Form DS-11: Complete it online and print it, or fill out a paper form. Do not sign it until an acceptance agent tells you to.
Proof of U.S. citizenship: Usually an original or certified U.S. birth certificate, a previous undamaged U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a naturalization or citizenship certificate. Bring a photocopy of the document as instructed.
Photo identification: Bring an acceptable government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, plus a photocopy of the front and back. If your ID is from a different state than where you apply, check the State Department’s additional identification requirements.
Passport photo: One recent color photo meeting the official size, background, pose, and image-quality rules. Many acceptance facilities and photo businesses offer passport photos.
Payment: The application fee and, if applicable, an execution fee. These may be payable to different recipients or by different methods, so confirm accepted payment types with the facility and the State Department.
Extra records, if relevant: Name-change documents or evidence requested for a complex citizenship or identity record. Children have separate consent and documentation requirements.

Step-by-Step

Confirm which process applies. A first-time applicant generally applies in person with Form DS-11. Some people with a prior passport can renew by mail using Form DS-82, while others must apply in person. Use the State Department’s eligibility tool and instructions rather than assuming that an expired passport can always be renewed.
Choose a passport book. The book is the option used for international air travel and works for land and sea trips as well. A passport card is a separate, limited-use document; it does not replace the book for international air travel. Make sure the application requests the document you actually need.
Complete Form DS-11 carefully. Enter your information as it appears on your supporting records. Answer every required question, review spelling and dates, and print the form single-sided if the instructions require it. Leave the signature blank until the acceptance agent directs you to sign.
Collect citizenship and identity evidence. Bring the required original or certified citizenship evidence, a photocopy, your photo ID, and a photocopy of both sides of the ID. A hospital souvenir birth record is not necessarily a certified birth certificate. If documents have different names, bring official name-change evidence and follow the agency’s guidance.
Get a compliant photo. Follow the official photo specifications for dimensions, color, background, expression, and how recently it was taken. Do not alter the image or use a casual snapshot that fails the rules. Remove glasses unless the State Department’s limited medical exception applies, and check the photo before your appointment.
Find an acceptance facility and make an appointment if needed. Applications are accepted at designated facilities, often post offices, clerks’ offices, or libraries. Availability and appointment rules differ by location. Verify that the site accepts passport applications and ask about its payment methods and photo service before you go.
Submit your application in person. Bring the unsigned DS-11, citizenship evidence, ID and copies, photo, and required payments. The agent will review your paperwork, administer the application process, and tell you when to sign. Keep any receipt or tracking details provided.
Track the application and allow for processing. Check the State Department’s official processing-time information and application-status service. Processing times can change and do not necessarily include mailing time. Avoid making nonrefundable travel plans that depend on receiving the passport by a particular date.
Check the passport when it arrives. Verify that your name, date of birth, and other printed information are correct. Keep the book in a secure place and separate from other travel documents when practical. Your citizenship evidence may be returned separately, so watch for any additional mail.

Common Mistakes

Signing DS-11 early: Sign only when the acceptance agent asks. An early signature can mean correcting or reprinting the form.
Bringing a non-certified record: Confirm that your citizenship document meets the State Department’s requirements; a hospital-issued keepsake may not prove citizenship.
Forgetting copies: Bring the required photocopies as well as original documents. Do not expect the facility to make copies for you.
Using an unsuitable photo: Filters, retouching, shadows, incorrect dimensions, or an unsuitable background can lead to rejection. Follow the official photo guide.
Choosing the wrong application: DS-11 is not the standard renewal form. Check whether you qualify for renewal before completing an application.
Assuming one payment method works everywhere: The government application fee and facility execution fee may have different payment requirements. Check both in advance.

Tips

Use the State Department’s current forms and checklists rather than relying on an old saved copy.
Put documents in a folder and use the checklist to review each item before leaving home.
Make your appointment early if the facility offers appointments, and arrive with time to complete the in-person review.
If you have urgent travel, check the official urgent-travel instructions and appointment eligibility. Do not assume an acceptance facility can issue a passport on the spot.
For a child’s passport, read the child-specific rules: both parents or guardians generally have consent and appearance responsibilities, with defined exceptions and supporting evidence.

Troubleshooting

My application was returned or delayed: Read the notice carefully and provide exactly the missing information or document requested. Use the contact or status instructions in the notice; sending duplicate applications can create confusion.

I cannot get a required citizenship record: Ask the issuing vital-records office how to obtain a certified copy. If the record is unavailable or does not meet requirements, consult the State Department’s evidence guidance for your circumstances before applying.

My photo was rejected: Get a new photo that follows the official specifications and submit it as directed. Do not edit the old image to try to make it compliant.

I made an error on the form: Ask the acceptance agent how to correct it before signing or submitting. If the application has already been sent, follow the State Department’s instructions rather than mailing an unrequested replacement form.

Travel is coming up soon: Check current processing and urgent-travel guidance directly with the State Department. Appointment availability and eligibility depend on the situation; an acceptance facility cannot promise a delivery date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a passport book online?

First-time applicants who use Form DS-11 generally must apply in person. Some eligible renewals may use a separate process, so check current renewal rules before starting.

How long does it take to get a passport book?

Processing times vary and can change. Check the State Department’s current estimate and allow additional time for mailing and document return.

Do I need a passport card too?

No. The passport book is sufficient for international air travel and can also be used for land and sea travel. A card is an optional separate document with more limited uses.

Can I use my passport photo from home?

Yes, if it meets every official photo requirement. A photo that looks clear on a phone may still fail the rules for size, lighting, background, or editing.

What if my name changed?

Bring official documentation connecting your current name to the name on your citizenship or identity records, such as a certified marriage certificate or court order, as applicable. Check the State Department’s instructions for the exact evidence needed.

What if I need a passport for a child?

Children have different application rules, including consent and documentation requirements. Use the State Department’s child-passport checklist rather than the adult steps alone.

Further reading: U.S. Department of State. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.