How to Get a Passport in Maryland: Steps and Documents

Getting a passport in Maryland means applying for a U.S. passport book, passport card, or both through the U.S. Department of State. Maryland residents submit first-time applications at designated acceptance facilities, such as certain post offices, libraries, and local government offices. Before you go, confirm the facility’s appointment process, accepted payment methods, and hours; these can vary by location.

What You’ll Need

Completed application: Form DS-11 for a first passport or another case that requires an in-person application. Fill it out online and print it, or complete it in black ink. Do not sign it until instructed by the acceptance agent.
Proof of U.S. citizenship: Usually an original or certified U.S. birth certificate, a naturalization or citizenship certificate, or a qualifying previous U.S. passport. A hospital souvenir birth record is not sufficient.
Photocopy of citizenship evidence: Include a clear, single-sided copy on plain white paper, following the State Department’s current copying instructions. The original is generally submitted with the application and returned separately.
Photo ID and a copy: Bring an acceptable government-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license, plus a photocopy of the front and back if required by the instructions.
One passport photo: It must meet the State Department’s size, background, expression, and other photo rules. Many photo services can take and print a compliant picture.
Payment: Passport application fees are paid to the U.S. Department of State; execution fees are paid separately to the acceptance facility. Check the official fee page and facility instructions for current amounts and permitted payment forms.
Additional documents, if applicable: Applicants under 16 generally need both parents or guardians, or documentation showing consent or legal authority. Name changes and other special circumstances may require supporting records.

Step-by-Step

Choose the right application. Most first-time applicants use Form DS-11 and apply in person. You also generally need DS-11 if you are under 16, your previous passport was issued when you were under 16, or it was lost, stolen, damaged, or issued too long ago to renew by mail. Adults with an eligible passport may be able to renew by mail using Form DS-82; check the State Department’s renewal rules before booking an appointment.
Decide what travel document you need. A passport book is valid for international air, land, and sea travel. A passport card has more limited use: it can be used for land and sea entry from certain neighboring countries, but not for international air travel. You can apply for a book, a card, or both on the application.
Complete the form without signing it. Enter your information accurately and follow the instructions for your application type. Print every required page clearly. If applying for a child, complete the child’s form and prepare the required parent or guardian consent documentation.
Gather original documents and copies. Check that your citizenship evidence is an acceptable original or certified record, and that your name and identifying details are consistent. Make the required photocopies in advance. If your name differs from your citizenship document, bring official evidence of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Get a compliant photo. Use the current State Department photo specifications rather than relying on an old image. Do not wear a uniform or use a photo that is altered, cropped incorrectly, or taken against a noncompliant background. Ask the photo provider whether it supplies printed photos that meet passport requirements.
Locate a Maryland acceptance facility. Use the U.S. Department of State’s passport acceptance facility search and enter your ZIP code. Contact the facility directly to learn whether you need an appointment, how to submit payment, and whether it handles your application type. A facility accepts and verifies the application; it does not decide whether to approve the passport.
Attend the appointment and submit your application. Bring the completed but unsigned form, photo, citizenship evidence, ID, copies, and the required payments. The agent will review the papers, administer the oath, and tell you when to sign. Follow the agent’s instructions and keep any receipt or tracking information provided.
Track the application and plan around processing. Use the State Department’s application status service when your application is eligible to appear there. Processing times vary and do not include the time needed for mailing in both directions. If travel is approaching, consult the State Department’s official urgent-travel guidance and ask about available appointments; do not assume a local acceptance facility can expedite a case.

Common Mistakes

Signing DS-11 early: The form must be signed in front of the acceptance agent. An early signature can mean correcting or redoing paperwork.
Bringing the wrong birth record: An informal hospital record or a photocopy alone usually will not prove citizenship. Verify that you have an acceptable certified record or another approved document.
Using an outdated renewal assumption: Not every expired passport qualifies for mail renewal. Check the current DS-82 eligibility rules; if you do not qualify, apply in person with DS-11.
Confusing the two payments: The State Department application fee and the facility execution fee are separate. Confirm current amounts and payment methods with the official fee page and the specific facility.
Arriving without child consent documents: A child’s application has extra appearance and parental-consent rules. Review the instructions for minors before making the trip.

Tips

Make a checklist from the State Department’s instructions for your exact situation, rather than relying on a generic list.
Check your application form, photo, copies, and payment arrangements the day before your appointment.
Leave time for both processing and mailing. Do not book nonrefundable travel based only on an estimated processing window.
Keep copies of your application information and note how to track the submission, but store identity documents securely.
If your trip is close, use the State Department’s urgent-travel instructions. Acceptance facilities generally forward applications; they cannot promise a passport by a particular date.

Troubleshooting

Cannot find a nearby appointment? Search surrounding ZIP codes and contact facilities directly, since appointment availability and walk-in policies differ. If you have urgent international travel, follow the Department of State’s instructions for requesting an appointment at a passport agency; an appointment is not guaranteed.

Your citizenship document is missing or not acceptable? Ask the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born how to obtain a certified birth certificate, or consult the State Department’s citizenship evidence guidance for another eligible document. Do not submit an unofficial replacement as if it were certified proof.

Your application is delayed or marked as needing more information? Check the status tool and follow the specific letter or notice from the Department of State. Respond using the method and deadline stated in that notice. For a status that does not update, use the agency’s official contact options rather than submitting a duplicate application without instructions.

A passport is lost, stolen, or damaged? Report it to the State Department as directed and apply for a replacement using the form required for your circumstances. A damaged passport may need to be submitted with the application; do not assume it can be renewed as an ordinary passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I apply for a passport in Maryland?

Apply in person at a passport acceptance facility identified by the State Department’s locator. Facilities include some post offices, libraries, and government offices, but services and appointments vary.

Can I renew my passport at a Maryland post office?

Many eligible adults renew by mail rather than applying at a post office. Check the current DS-82 requirements; if you are not eligible, use DS-11 and apply in person at an acceptance facility.

How long does a Maryland passport take?

Processing times change and mailing adds time, so consult the State Department’s current processing-time page before applying. A Maryland acceptance facility cannot guarantee when the passport will arrive.

Can I apply for a child’s passport without both parents?

Children under 16 generally must apply in person with both parents or guardians, unless an allowed exception applies and the required consent or authority documents are provided. Review the State Department’s minor-applicant instructions for your circumstances.

Do I need a passport book or a passport card?

Choose a book if you may travel internationally by air or want the broadest travel use. A card is limited to certain land and sea crossings and cannot be used for international air travel.

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.