How to Get a Passport in Minnesota: Steps and Documents

This guide explains how to apply for a U.S. passport while living in Minnesota. The application process is federal, so the core requirements are the same nationwide; Minnesota residents submit first-time applications through authorized passport acceptance facilities. Before making an appointment, check the current instructions and processing information on the U.S. Department of State website.

What You’ll Need

Form DS-11: Complete it online and print it, or print a blank form and fill it out legibly in black ink. 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 prior undamaged U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. A photocopy alone is not enough.
Photo identification: Bring an acceptable government-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license, plus a photocopy of the front and back. Check the State Department’s current ID requirements if your ID is from another state or is not a standard driver’s license.
Passport photo: One recent color photo that meets federal requirements, generally 2 by 2 inches, with a plain light background. Many photo services know the specifications; do not use a casual snapshot or an altered image.
Payment: The passport application fee and any separate execution or facility fee. These may be payable to different recipients and by different methods. Check the State Department fee page and the facility’s instructions before you go; do not assume it accepts cards or one combined payment.
Extra documents, if relevant: If applying for a child under 16, both parents or guardians generally must participate or provide the required consent documents. Name changes, adoption, or unavailable citizenship records may require additional evidence.

Step-by-Step

Confirm which service you need. Use this process if you have never had a U.S. passport, are under 16, or do not qualify to renew by mail. A renewal-eligible adult may be able to use a different process; review the State Department’s renewal rules rather than submitting DS-11 automatically. If your passport was lost or stolen, report it and follow the replacement instructions.
Choose a passport book, card, or both. A passport book is used for international air travel and other international travel. A passport card has more limited use and cannot be used for international air travel. Choose based on how you expect to travel; an acceptance agent can help explain application options but cannot decide what travel document you need.
Complete Form DS-11 carefully. Enter your legal name and other details as requested, then print the form single-sided. Leave the signature blank. Review every field against your documents: correcting a typo later can delay processing, and the agent must witness your signature.
Gather original evidence and copies. Bring the required citizenship document, acceptable ID, front-and-back photocopy of the ID, and any supporting records for a name change or special circumstance. The original citizenship evidence is generally submitted with the application and returned separately from the passport.
Get a compliant photo. Have it taken recently and follow the federal photo rules for size, background, face position, and appearance. Keep it undamaged and do not staple it yourself unless the instructions specifically direct you to; the acceptance facility will handle attachment.
Locate a Minnesota acceptance facility. Use the State Department’s passport acceptance facility search to find a post office, county or municipal office, library, or other authorized location. Call or check the facility’s own page for appointment availability, hours, photo services, payment methods, and document requirements. Not every location accepts walk-ins.
Apply in person. Attend with your documents and payment. The acceptance agent reviews your application, administers the required oath, witnesses your signature, and forwards the application. Answer questions clearly and ask for clarification before signing if anything is incorrect.
Track the application and plan around travel. Keep the application locator information and check status using the State Department’s tracking service. Processing times vary and begin after the application reaches the passport agency, not necessarily on the day you visit. If travel is approaching, consult the official urgent-travel instructions; an appointment may be required, and availability is not guaranteed.

Common Mistakes

Signing DS-11 too early: Leave the signature field blank until the acceptance agent instructs you to sign.
Bringing a photocopy instead of citizenship evidence: Bring the original or certified document required for your situation, along with any requested photocopy.
Assuming any birth record qualifies: A hospital souvenir certificate or an abstract with insufficient information may not meet requirements. Check the State Department’s rules and obtain a qualifying certified record from the appropriate vital records office if needed.
Using the wrong photo: Incorrect dimensions, shadows, glasses, a patterned background, or image edits can lead to rejection. Follow the official photo guidance rather than relying only on a photo kiosk’s label.
Arriving without checking payment or appointments: Facilities set their own appointment and payment procedures. A correctly prepared application can still be delayed if you cannot pay in the accepted form or the location does not take walk-ins.
Booking travel too close to the application date: Do not assume a routine application will arrive by a particular date. Check the latest official processing estimates and urgent-service requirements before making plans.

Tips

Use the U.S. Department of State’s current forms, fee schedule, photo rules, and processing-time page as the final authority; third-party summaries can become outdated.
Make copies of your completed application and supporting documents for your records, but do not substitute copies for originals when the instructions require original evidence.
Put documents in a folder in the order you plan to present them. Keep the payment instructions and facility appointment confirmation with them.
If applying for a child under 16, read the child-specific rules well in advance. Both parents or guardians generally need to consent, and the required evidence differs from an adult application.
Keep your mailing address current and secure after applying. If your application is delayed, respond promptly to any official request for more information.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find your birth certificate: Contact the vital records office in the state or territory where the birth occurred; Minnesota residents born elsewhere generally need to request the record from that jurisdiction. If standard citizenship evidence is unavailable, consult the State Department’s instructions for secondary evidence rather than guessing what will be accepted.

Your name differs across documents: Bring official evidence linking the names, such as a certified marriage certificate or court order, when applicable. Ask the facility or consult the State Department’s name-change guidance before applying if the difference is not explained by your records.

The photo or application is rejected: Read the notice carefully, correct only the issue identified, and follow the instructions for resubmitting. Do not submit a second application unless the State Department directs you to do so.

Status has not changed or travel is near: Processing and status updates can take time. Use the official status tool and contact the State Department through its published channels if the application is outside the stated processing window. For imminent travel, follow the urgent-service instructions; a local acceptance facility cannot issue a passport on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I apply for a passport in Minnesota?

Apply at an authorized passport acceptance facility. Search the U.S. Department of State’s facility locator, then confirm directly with the location whether it requires an appointment and what payment methods it accepts.

Can I apply for a passport online?

First-time applicants using Form DS-11 must apply in person at an acceptance facility. Some eligible renewals may use a separate online or mail process, subject to current State Department rules.

How long does it take to get a passport?

Timing varies with the service selected, application volume, mailing, and whether documents need correction. Check the State Department’s current processing-time estimates and allow time for delivery both ways.

Do I need a passport book or a passport card?

A book supports international air travel and broader international travel use. A card is a more limited document and is not valid for international air travel; choose based on your travel plans.

Can a minor apply without both parents present?

Children under 16 generally require consent from both parents or guardians, with specific exceptions and forms when one cannot appear. Review the State Department’s child application instructions before scheduling.

What if my passport is lost or stolen?

Report it to the State Department and follow its instructions for applying for a replacement. The required form and process depend on whether you can apply by mail or must appear in person.

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.