How to Get a US Passport (First-Time Applicant)
If this is your first passport, you apply in person. Bring Form DS-11US Passport Application — The form for first-time passports, minors, and anyone not eligible to renew by mail. Filed in person.Click for official info ↗, proof of citizenship, a photo, and money for the fees. Routine processing takes 4–6 weeks. Add mailing time each way. Expedited service costs extra.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $130 application + $35 execution = $165 (adult book)
- Total time:
- 4–6 weeks processing (routine)
- Steps:
- 8 steps
- Where to apply:
- travel.state.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 8 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Check you qualify as a first-time applicant
You must apply in person if this is your first passport. You must also apply in person if your old one was issued 15+ years ago. And you must apply in person if you were under 16 when it was issued.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go 1–4 weeks if ordering
Gather proof of citizenship
Get your original birth certificate. This is the long form with your parents' names. Or get your naturalization certificate. If you do not have one, order a certified copy. Order it from your state vital records office.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 30 min
Fill out Form DS-11
Fill out the form online at travel.state.gov. Then print it. Or fill it out by hand in black ink. Do NOT sign it yet. You sign it in front of the acceptance agent.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go 15 min
Get a passport photo
Drugstores take passport photos for about $15. Post offices and shipping stores do too. Use a white background. Keep a plain face. Do not wear glasses.
Click to mark as done
- Go 1 hour visit
Go to an acceptance facility
Find a post office or library that takes passport applications. Search on travel.state.gov. Some places need an appointment. Bring ALL your documents and payment.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay 30 min
Sign and submit in front of the agent
The agent checks your documents. The agent watches you sign DS-11, takes your payment, and seals everything in an envelope. Pay the $130 by check/money order. Pay the $35 separately.
Click to mark as done
- Wait 4–6 weeks processing
Track your application
Wait about 2 weeks. Then track your application online at travel.state.gov. Use your last name, DOB, and the last 4 digits of your SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗.
Click to mark as done
- Receive —
Receive your passport by mail
Your passport and citizenship document arrive in separate envelopes. Check that all details are correct immediately.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Signing Form DS-11 before your appointment. Fill out the form online at travel.state.gov and print it, or fill it out by hand in black ink, but do NOT sign it yet. You sign it in front of the acceptance agent.
Bringing a photocopy instead of original citizenship proof. Bring the original birth certificate or naturalizationBecoming a US citizen by application — The process a green card holder goes through to become a US citizen — application, interview, test, and oath.Click for official info ↗ certificate. Photocopies are not accepted, and without one of the accepted proofs the passport office cannot issue a passport.
Bringing a short form birth certificate. Get the long form birth certificate with your parents names on it, or your naturalization certificate. If you do not have one, order a certified copy from your state vital records office.
Using an old or wrong passport photo. Your photo must be 2 by 2 inches and taken within 6 months. Use a white background, keep a plain face, and do not wear glasses.
Paying the two fees as one payment. Pay the 130 dollars by check or money order, and pay the 35 dollar execution fee separately. The agent takes your payment and seals everything in an envelope.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a passport faster?
Yes. Expedited service costs an extra $60 and takes 2–3 weeks. For true emergencies (travel within 14 days), make an appointment at a regional passport agency.
What if my name changed since my birth certificate?
Bring a certified name-change document. This can be a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order. It must link your current name to the name on your citizenship proof. See our name change guide for the full process.
Do children under 16 need to appear in person?
Yes. Both parents must usually be there. One parent can go alone with a notarized consent form from the other parent. Children's passports are valid for 5 years.
What counts as proof of US citizenship?
You can use a US birth certificate. You can also use a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. Bring the original. Photocopies are not accepted. The office will return the original with your new passport. Without one of these, the passport office cannot issue.
Do I need an appointment to apply?
You submit a first-time application in person. You go to a passport acceptance facility. These are post offices, clerks of court, and libraries. Many need an appointment. Book ahead at travel.state.gov. Some take walk-ins. But expect a long wait without an appointment.
How long is an adult passport valid?
An adult passport lasts ten years for applicants 16 and older. Children's passports (under 16) are valid 5 years. They can never be renewed by mail. Every child application is in person with DS-11, even renewals.
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