How to Get a Passport in Delaware: Steps and Documents

Getting a passport in Delaware follows the same federal process as applying in other states. Before you go, determine whether you need a passport book, a passport card, or both, and check the U.S. Department of State’s current instructions for forms, fees, appointment availability, and processing times. Requirements and service options can change, so confirm details with official sources rather than relying on an old checklist.

What You’ll Need

Application form: Form DS-11 for a first passport, a child’s passport, or other cases where in-person application is required. Do not sign it until the 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 Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship. Bring an acceptable photocopy as directed by the State Department.
Proof of identity: Such as a valid driver’s license or another government-issued photo ID. Bring a photocopy of the front and back if the instructions require it. If your ID is from a different state, ask the facility what additional identification it accepts.
Passport photo: One recent color photo that meets State Department size, background, and appearance rules. Many facilities offer photo services, but check before relying on that option.
Payment: The application fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State, and an acceptance or execution fee may be paid separately to the facility. Check current amounts and accepted payment methods before your appointment; payment rules can differ by location.
Appointment details: Some Delaware facilities accept walk-ins, while others require appointments. Bring any confirmation and follow the facility’s instructions.

For a renewal, do not automatically use Form DS-11. Some adults can renew by mail or through another method specified by the State Department, provided they meet the eligibility rules. Use the official passport wizard or renewal instructions to identify the right process.

Step-by-Step

Choose the passport type. A passport book is valid for international air, land, and sea travel. A passport card is a smaller alternative with limited uses, including certain land and sea crossings; it is not valid for international air travel. You can apply for both if you need both types.
Check whether you qualify to renew. If you have an existing passport, review the State Department’s renewal rules before starting a new application. If you are ineligible to renew, applying in person with DS-11 may be necessary. Follow the instructions for your particular situation, including a lost, stolen, or damaged passport.
Find a Delaware acceptance facility. Search the State Department’s official acceptance-facility locator using your ZIP code. Locations may include post offices, clerks of court, or local government offices. Contact the selected site to verify its hours, appointment policy, photo service, and payment methods.
Complete the correct application. Fill in the form using the official State Department website or a paper form obtained from an official source. Check every field for accuracy. For DS-11, leave the signature line blank until instructed to sign in front of the acceptance agent.
Gather and copy your documents. Bring the required citizenship evidence, identity document, photocopies, completed application, and any documents explaining a name change, if applicable. The original citizenship evidence is generally submitted with the application and returned separately; do not assume it will be handed back at the appointment.
Prepare the photo and payment. Make sure the photo follows the current official specifications, including size and image quality. Confirm current application and facility fees, how each must be paid, and whether separate payments are required. Avoid sending cash or an unsupported payment type.
Apply in person when required. Attend the appointment with all required materials. The acceptance agent reviews the application and administers the oath, then forwards it for processing. The agent does not decide whether to issue the passport and cannot guarantee a delivery date.
Track the application and plan travel carefully. Use the State Department’s official status tool once tracking is available. Processing time begins after the application reaches the passport agency or center, not necessarily on the day you hand it in. If travel is approaching, check official expedited-service and urgent-travel instructions before applying.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong form: DS-11 is not the standard form for every applicant. Check renewal eligibility and instructions for your circumstances first.
Signing too early: Applicants using DS-11 must wait to sign until the acceptance agent asks them to.
Bringing only a birth certificate: You also need acceptable proof of identity, and the facility may require photocopies of both citizenship and identity evidence.
Assuming every facility works the same way: Appointment rules, walk-in availability, photo services, and payment methods vary by location. Confirm directly before traveling.
Using an unsuitable photo: Selfies, edited images, incorrect dimensions, or photos with the wrong background can lead to delays or rejection. Follow the current State Department photo guide.
Waiting until the last minute: Processing and mailing take time, and published estimates can change. Apply well ahead of travel and do not book plans based on an assumed arrival date.

Tips

Use the U.S. Department of State’s passport site as the final authority for forms, documentation, fees, photo specifications, processing estimates, and urgent services.
Make a personal copy of your completed application and note how you sent or submitted it. Keep your tracking information and appointment confirmation accessible.
For a child under 16, both parents or guardians generally need to participate or provide the specific consent documents allowed by the State Department. Child passports have separate requirements and validity periods, so check those instructions carefully.
If your legal name differs from the name on your citizenship or identity documents, bring the official name-change evidence requested for your case.
Check that your travel document will remain valid for your itinerary. Destination and carrier requirements vary; consult official travel information for the places you plan to visit.

Troubleshooting

The facility cannot accept your application: Ask which document or requirement is missing, then use the State Department checklist to correct it. Make a new appointment if required rather than submitting an incomplete application.

Your birth certificate is unavailable or does not meet requirements: Request an eligible certified record from the vital records office for the place of birth. If you cannot obtain primary citizenship evidence, review the State Department’s instructions for secondary evidence and delayed or unavailable records before applying.

Your application is delayed: Check the official status tool and allow for the currently published processing and mailing periods. If the status indicates a problem or asks for more information, follow the notice promptly. For imminent travel, use the State Department’s urgent-travel guidance; an acceptance facility cannot speed up a case already being processed.

Your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged: Follow the State Department’s reporting and replacement instructions. The proper form and steps depend on the circumstances; do not simply submit a routine renewal without checking the rules.

You need help choosing a process: Consult the State Department’s passport pages or contact its official passport customer service. For questions about a particular Delaware facility’s appointment or payment policies, contact that facility directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I apply for a passport in Delaware?

Apply at a passport acceptance facility listed by the U.S. Department of State. Search by ZIP code and verify appointment and service details with the location before you go.

Can I get a passport at a Delaware post office?

Some post offices are authorized acceptance facilities, but not every post office provides passport services. Use the official locator to confirm the specific branch and its requirements.

How long does a Delaware passport take?

Delaware applications use federal processing, and times depend on the service option and current workload. Check the State Department’s current estimate and remember that mailing adds time.

Can I apply for a passport online?

Most first-time applicants and children must apply in person. Online renewal may be available only to eligible adults under the State Department’s current rules; check official instructions before choosing it.

Do children need to appear in person?

Children under 16 generally must apply in person with the required parent or guardian participation and consent documentation. Review the State Department’s child-passport checklist for the exact requirements.

Should I get a passport book or card?

Choose a book for international air travel and broader travel use. A card is limited to specified land and sea travel and cannot be used for international flights.

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.