U.S. Passport Application Process
Share
Print
Print this article
Font Size
Documents to Bring
View ArticleView Article Comments
To apply for a U.S. Passport, you need to bring and/or complete the 5 following documents:

1. Complete Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport

  • You can download Form DS-11 at the U.S. Department of State’s site.
  • You can also fill out the form before you go to the application acceptance facility.
  • However, DO NOT sign Form DS-11 until told to do so at the application facility by the Acceptance Agent. Otherwise, your form will not be accepted!

2. Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship


You must present 1 of the following:
  • Previous U.S. Passport
  • Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state (a certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office.)
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Certificate of Citizenship
NOTE: If you have none of the following documents, you must present secondary identification of U.S. citizenship such as a baptismal certificate, hospital birth certificate, census record, early school record, family bible record, or doctor's record of post-natal care. Please go to the U.S. Department of State’s site for more information on presenting secondary evidence of U.S. citizenship.

3. Present Proof of Identification


You must present 1 of the following:
  • Previous U.S. Passport
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Current, valid Driver's License
  • Government ID: city, state or federal
  • Military ID: military and dependents
  • Aircraft Pilot's License issued by the Dept. of Transportation, FAA
  • Student ID: must be currently enrolled (Please note that Student ID is not a legal form of identification. Passport agents reserve the right to require other documentation if circumstances so indicate.)

4. 2 Passport Photographs


You must present:
  • 2 identical passport-sized photographs
  • Each photograph must be:
    • 2x2 inches in size.
    • Taken within the past six (6) months.
    • The image size from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head should be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inch.
    • Photos must be in color.
    • Photos must be full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
    • Photographs should be taken in normal street attire, without any headgear.
    • Uniforms should not be worn in photos with the exception of religious attire worn daily.
    • If prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles are normally worn, they should be worn when the picture is taken.
    • Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons.
      • A medical certificate may be required to support the wearing of such glasses in photographs.

5. Pay the applicable fees.


Go to the U.S. Department of State’s site for the most up to date fee schedule.

Next, we’ll go over approximately how long it will take to receive your U.S. Passport and the acceptable methods of payment.