How to Get a U.S. Passport: Steps and Documents

A U.S. passport is an identity and travel document issued by the U.S. Department of State. The application route depends on whether you are applying for the first time, renewing, or applying for a child. Before starting, check the State Department’s official passport pages for current forms, processing estimates, photo specifications, and application options. Requirements and available services can change.

What You’ll Need

Application form: Most first-time adult applicants use Form DS-11. Do not sign it until an acceptance agent tells you to. Eligible renewals generally use Form DS-82, or the State Department’s online renewal service when available and when you qualify.
Proof of U.S. citizenship: Usually an original or certified U.S. birth certificate, a prior undamaged U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a certificate of naturalization or citizenship. The document must meet State Department requirements.
Identification: Bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license or other government-issued identification, plus a photocopy of the front and back. Check the official list if your ID is from another state or is not a standard government photo ID.
Passport photo: Submit one recent color photo that meets official size, background, lighting, pose, and image rules. Many application facilities and photo providers can take passport photos, but confirm that the image complies before submitting it.
Payment and application materials: Follow the official instructions for how to pay each required fee; payment methods can differ between the Department of State and the acceptance facility. Bring any required supporting documents and copies.
For a child under 16: The child generally applies in person, with both parents or guardians present, or with required consent documentation. Bring evidence of the parent-child relationship and follow the State Department’s specific minor-applicant instructions.

Step-by-Step

Choose the right application route. If you have never had a U.S. passport, are under 16, or do not qualify to renew, start with the first-time application process. Most applicants using Form DS-11 must apply in person. Adults with an eligible prior passport may be able to renew by mail or online; use the State Department’s eligibility tool rather than assuming you qualify. A lost, stolen, or damaged passport may require a different form or process.
Complete the correct form. Fill out DS-11 or the applicable renewal form using the official instructions. Enter your information consistently with your citizenship and identification documents. For an in-person DS-11 application, leave the signature line blank until instructed at the appointment. Do not submit a first-time DS-11 application by mail unless the State Department specifically directs you to do so.
Collect citizenship and identity documents. Check that your citizenship evidence is an acceptable original or certified document, not merely an ordinary photocopy. Prepare the required photocopy of your identification and any additional documents requested for your circumstances, such as a name-change record. Check whether original documents will be returned separately from the passport.
Get a compliant photo. Use the official photo specifications, including the required dimensions and plain background. The image should be recent, clear, correctly exposed, and show your full face in the required position. Avoid filters, retouching, glare, shadows, and photos that are cropped from another picture. Glasses and other exceptions have specific rules, so consult the official guidance.
Find an authorized acceptance facility. Use the State Department’s passport acceptance facility locator to find a post office, public library, court, or other participating location. Contact the location to confirm its appointment process, hours, services, and payment rules. Some facilities take photos; others do not. Book early enough to allow for the application and processing time.
Apply in person when required. Bring the completed but unsigned form, citizenship evidence, identification and copy, photo, payment, and any required supporting records. The acceptance agent reviews your documents, administers the required process, and sends the application to the Department of State. Follow that agent’s instructions before signing or sealing anything.
Track the application and respond if asked. Use the State Department’s official status service after submitting. Keep your application receipt and tracking information. If the department requests additional evidence, provide exactly what it asks for using the instructions and deadline in its notice.
Check the passport when it arrives. Confirm that your name, date of birth, and other printed details are correct. Store the passport securely and keep it in good condition. Your citizenship evidence may arrive separately, so watch for its return rather than assuming it was lost.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong form: DS-11 and renewal forms are not interchangeable. An ineligible renewal attempt can delay your application; check the official criteria first.
Signing DS-11 too soon: An acceptance agent must witness the signature. Leave it blank until the appointment.
Sending an unacceptable citizenship record: A hospital souvenir certificate or an ordinary photocopy may not meet the evidence rules. Confirm the document type and certification before applying.
Submitting a noncompliant photo: Incorrect size, background, shadows, glare, or editing can lead to rejection. Compare the photo with the State Department’s current examples.
Overlooking child-application rules: A child’s application has extra consent and relationship-document requirements. Review the instructions for the child’s age and family situation before making the appointment.
Assuming a travel date guarantees fast service: Processing estimates are not guarantees. Do not rely on an unconfirmed passport delivery date when making nonrefundable travel plans.

Tips

Use only official State Department forms and instructions; avoid unofficial sites that charge to provide forms or imply they are government services.
Make copies of your completed application and supporting documents for your records, but submit originals where the official instructions require them.
Check processing times before applying and again before travel. If travel is approaching, review the Department of State’s official urgent-travel options and eligibility requirements.
For an application involving a name change, adoption, custody, or a parent who cannot appear, gather the relevant records and consult the specific State Department guidance. Do not assume a standard application checklist covers every situation.
Keep your contact information current and save receipts and notices until the passport and supporting documents have been returned.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find an appointment: Search nearby acceptance facilities and check their appointment policies directly. If you have urgent international travel, use the State Department’s urgent-service instructions; an acceptance facility cannot promise expedited handling on its own.

Your citizenship document is missing or unacceptable: Contact the government office that issued or holds the record to request an acceptable certified copy or replacement. If the usual records are unavailable, follow the State Department’s instructions for alternative citizenship evidence rather than sending unrelated documents.

Your photo is rejected: Obtain a new photo that follows the current official specifications and submit it as directed. Do not edit the rejected image or assume a photo booth’s “passport” label guarantees compliance.

The application is delayed or marked as needing more information: Check the official status service and read any notice carefully. Send requested documents through the specified method, keep copies, and contact the passport agency using its official channels if the status is unclear.

Your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged: Report a lost or stolen passport promptly using the State Department’s reporting instructions. A damaged passport may not qualify for routine renewal; follow the replacement guidance for its condition and your travel plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a U.S. passport online?

Some eligible adults may renew through the State Department’s online service when it is available. First-time applicants generally apply in person, and online renewal has specific eligibility rules; check the official page before starting.

How long does it take to get a passport?

Processing times vary and can change with demand. Check the State Department’s current estimates before applying, allow time for mailing and document return, and do not treat an estimate as a guaranteed delivery date.

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate?

Usually, the application requires acceptable citizenship evidence, often an original or certified birth certificate, plus a photocopy for the file. Follow the specific State Department instructions for the document you plan to use.

Does my child need a passport?

Children need their own passport for international travel. Applicants under 16 generally apply in person and must meet additional parental consent and documentation requirements.

What if I need a passport urgently?

Review the Department of State’s official urgent-travel services and eligibility rules, and contact the appropriate passport agency as instructed. An appointment or expedited request does not automatically guarantee delivery by a particular date.

How do I renew an expired passport?

An expired passport may be renewable if it meets the State Department’s conditions, including rules about when it was issued, its condition, and the holder’s age when it was issued. Use the official renewal eligibility guidance to determine the correct process.

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.