How to Get a Passport in Tennessee: Steps and Documents

What You’ll Need

Passport applications are handled under federal rules, so the core requirements are the same in Tennessee as elsewhere in the United States. Before visiting, confirm the facility’s appointment rules, accepted payment methods, and current processing information through official U.S. Department of State resources.

Application form: Form DS-11 for a first passport, a child passport, or another situation requiring an in-person application. Complete it online and print it, or print a blank form and fill it out legibly. 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 naturalization or citizenship certificate. A hospital souvenir certificate is not sufficient. Check that the document meets State Department requirements.
Photocopy of citizenship evidence: Provide a clear, single-sided copy of the front and back if the document has printed information on both sides. Follow the required paper size and copying instructions on the application checklist.
Photo ID and copy: Bring an acceptable government-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license, plus a photocopy of the front and back. If your ID is from a different state, or the agent requests it, bring additional identification.
Passport photo: One compliant color photo, generally 2 by 2 inches, taken within the required recent period. Use the Department of State’s photo rules; many photo providers can make passport photos. Do not attach it unless the application instructions say to.
Payment: The application fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State, and an acceptance or execution fee is generally paid separately to the facility. Amounts and accepted payment types can change, so check the State Department fee page and the facility’s instructions before you go.
Extra documents when relevant: For a child under 16, both parents or guardians generally must consent and show identification, or submit the permitted consent or documentation. Name changes, lost passports, and citizenship evidence with errors may require additional records.

Step-by-Step

Choose the right application route. If this is your first passport, you are under 16, or your previous passport does not meet renewal requirements, plan to apply in person with Form DS-11. Eligible adults may be able to renew by mail or through the State Department’s online renewal service. Review the current eligibility checklist before choosing; do not use DS-11 for a renewal that qualifies for another route.
Decide whether you need a passport book, card, or both. The passport book is used for international air travel and is accepted for land and sea travel. The passport card is a smaller option for eligible land and sea crossings from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean destinations; it cannot be used for international air travel. You may apply for both on the same application.
Complete the correct form. Fill out DS-11, but leave the signature blank until instructed at your appointment. Check names, dates, places of birth, and contact details against your supporting documents. If using a renewal route, follow its separate form and submission instructions instead.
Collect citizenship evidence and identification. Bring the original or certified citizenship document, its required photocopy, photo ID, and an ID photocopy. Make sure documents are readable and that names match. If a name differs, bring official evidence of the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order that meets federal requirements.
Get a compliant photo. The standard photo is a recent color image with a plain light background, correct head size, and no prohibited alterations. Glasses are generally not permitted in passport photos, with limited medical exceptions that require documentation. Avoid uniforms, filters, and selfies unless you can meet every official photo specification.
Find and book an acceptance facility. Search the State Department’s official passport acceptance facility locator for Tennessee locations. Facilities may include post offices, county or municipal offices, and libraries, but not every location accepts applications or offers the same hours. Call or check the facility’s official page for appointment availability and payment rules.
Apply in person and pay correctly. Bring all documents, the unsigned DS-11, photo, and required payments. The acceptance agent reviews your paperwork, witnesses your signature, and forwards the application. Fees may require separate payments or different payment methods, so follow the facility’s specific directions.
Track the application and protect your documents. Use the State Department’s passport status tool after the application has been received and entered into its system. Keep your receipt and note any tracking information. Citizenship evidence is normally returned separately from the passport; contact the agency if it does not arrive within the stated timeframe.
Plan around your travel date. Processing times vary and can change. Check the official processing-time page before applying, and allow time for mailing in both directions. If travel is urgent, use the State Department’s instructions for urgent travel appointments; an acceptance facility cannot issue a passport on the spot.

Common Mistakes

Signing DS-11 early: The agent must witness the signature, so wait until asked.
Bringing a hospital birth record: A souvenir or hospital certificate is not usually acceptable proof of citizenship; obtain an eligible certified record.
Using an incomplete photo or copy: Incorrect dimensions, a poor background, retouching, or missing photocopies can delay processing.
Assuming every facility takes walk-ins: Some require appointments or have limited passport hours. Confirm before traveling.
Sending the wrong form: DS-11 is not the standard route for every adult renewal. Check renewal eligibility and follow the matching instructions.
Mixing up the fees: The State Department and acceptance facility may collect separate fees. Verify current amounts and payment methods rather than relying on old information.

Tips

Use only official State Department pages for forms, eligibility, fees, processing estimates, and status tracking; third-party services may charge for help that is available directly from the government.
Prepare a folder with originals, photocopies, the application, photo, and payment before your appointment. Keep the original citizenship record secure and do not laminate a document unless its issuing authority permits it.
For a child, read the child-specific requirements carefully before booking. Children generally must apply in person, and their passports have different validity periods from adult passports.
If a passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, report it and follow the State Department’s replacement instructions. A reported lost or stolen passport cannot be used even if it is later found.
Do not book close connections based on a hoped-for passport date. Use the official processing guidance and leave a practical buffer for document review and mailing.

Troubleshooting

Your birth certificate is missing: Request a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or locality where the birth occurred. Tennessee residents can consult the Tennessee Department of Health’s vital records service, but people born elsewhere must generally request records from the issuing jurisdiction. If standard citizenship evidence is unavailable, consult the State Department’s secondary-evidence instructions before applying.

Your name or details do not match: Bring the official record that explains the difference, such as a court order or marriage record. If the citizenship document itself contains an error, contact the issuing vital records authority about correcting it; do not alter it yourself.

The facility rejects your paperwork: Ask which item is missing or unacceptable and whether it can be corrected at the appointment. Check the State Department checklist, then reschedule if needed. Do not mail original documents to an address provided by an unverified caller or website.

Your application is delayed: Check status online and review any request for more information. If the application is outside the published processing window, use the State Department’s contact process. For urgent travel, follow its urgent appointment guidance and bring proof of travel as instructed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I apply for a passport in Tennessee?

Apply at an authorized passport acceptance facility listed by the U.S. Department of State. Locations and appointment policies vary, so confirm details directly with the facility.

Can I get a passport the same day?

Acceptance facilities do not issue passports on the spot. For qualifying urgent travel, contact the State Department and follow its appointment process; availability and eligibility depend on the circumstances.

How long does it take to get a passport?

Processing times change and do not include all mailing time. Check the State Department’s current estimate before applying and allow extra time for delivery and any request for additional documents.

Does Tennessee require a passport for domestic flights?

A passport is not the only document that can meet federal identity requirements for domestic air travel. Check the Transportation Security Administration’s current accepted-ID list; a passport book is one accepted option.

Can I apply for my child without the other parent?

For children under 16, both parents or guardians generally must appear and consent, with specific alternatives when one cannot attend. Review the State Department’s child application rules and bring the required consent form or supporting documents.

Can I renew my passport online?

Some adults may qualify for online renewal, but eligibility rules apply and the service may not be available to every applicant. Check the State Department’s official online renewal page before starting.

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.