DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport

Please note:

• The Form Filler will select the correct form for you based on the information you input. It may generate a different form from what you expect.
• If applying on Form DS-11, do not sign it until instructed to do so by the acceptance agent.
• You must provide a Social Security number, if you have been issued one, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 2714a and 22 C.F.R 51.60(f). 
  • If you do not have a Social Security number, you must submit a statement, signed and dated, that includes the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct:  I have never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration.”
  • For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions.
• You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both documents.
• You may request a larger passport book with 52 pages, at no additional cost, by checking the '52 page' box at the top of the application.
• Listing Jerusalem as your Place of Birth: Effective October 29, 2020, U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem will be able to request either “Jerusalem” or “Israel” as their place of birth when applying for a U.S. passport. Please note you do not need to reapply for a new U.S. passport, because your document will remain valid after this change in our policy. If you choose to renew or reapply for a passport with the new place of birth designation, you must pay all applicable fees. U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem who do not specify their place of birth on passport applications as “Israel” will continue to be issued documents that indicate their place of birth as “Jerusalem.”

You must submit one of the following. Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable.

• Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
• U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements: 
  • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
  • Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
  • Lists your parent(s)' full names
  • Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
  • Has the registrar's signature
  • Has the seal of the issuing authority
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship

If you cannot submit one of the above acceptable documents, or for more information, please see Citizenship Evidence.

Please note you cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document. 

Submit a photocopy of the front (and back, if there is printed information) of the U.S. citizenship evidence you’re submitting.

Photocopies must be:

• Legible
• On white 8.5”x11” standard paper
• Black and white
• Single-sided

If you don't want to submit a photocopy of your citizenship evidence, you may submit a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, which we will keep. If you don’t submit a photocopy or a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, your passport processing could be delayed.

If you have your own current identification document (ID), you may apply for a passport. You must show at least one legal parent or legal guardian is aware that you are applying for a passport. Your passport application may be denied if we have received written objection from one of your legal parents or legal guardians. For more information, please see Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program.

How to Show Parental Awareness:

• A legal parent or legal guardian appearing with you in person when you apply for your passport. The agent or employee accepting the application will ask your legal parent/legal guardian to sign Form DS-11. Bring a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID.
• Submit a signed note from your legal parent/legal guardian with a photocopy of their ID.
• Submit proof that your legal parent or legal guardian is paying your application fees (Example: parent or guardian name is written on  the check or money order).
• We may ask you to submit a notarized statement of consent to issuance from your legal parent/legal guardian (e.g., on Form DS-3053). The statement must should be accompanied by a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID.

You (or your parent/guardian) must present one of the following IDs to the acceptance agent. 

• In-state, fully-valid driver's license
• Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship (if the photo is still looks like you)
• Government employee ID (city, county, state or federal)
• U.S. military ID or military dependent ID
• Valid foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular Identification, commonly used by the parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant)

If you cannot present one of the IDs above, or for more information, please see Identification.

Please note:

• Some states now issue digital ID documents (also known as mobile driver's licenses or mobile IDs). We cannot accept these digital IDs when you apply for your U.S. passport. You must continue to submit your physical, photo ID and a photocopy of the ID.  
• If you present an out-of-state ID, you must present an additional ID.

Submit a photocopy of the front and back of each ID that you present when you apply.

Requirements:

• Photocopy must be on white, 8.5 x 11" standard paper.
• Photocopy cannot be double-sided.
• Do not decrease the image size (although you may enlarge it).

You must provide one photo with your application. To avoid processing delays, be sure your photo meets all photo requirements.

Please note: Some passport acceptance facilities provide photo services for an additional fee.

Adult Applicants (age 16 and older):

Please note: The application fee and the execution fee are paid separately.

For information on forms of payment and a full list of fees and services, please see Passport Fees.

Inside the United States:

• You must submit your completed application, including citizenship evidence, photocopy of ID, photo, and fees, in person at a passport acceptance facility.
• You may be eligible to apply in person at a passport agency if you are traveling soon. Please see Get My Passport Fast for more information. 

Outside the United States:

Please contact your U.S. Embassy and Consulate for how to submit your documents, since processes vary.

You cannot mail in Form DS-11. Additionally, the Department of State does not have the option to submit your passport application online.

If you have already had a full-validity (10 year) passport issued to you when you were age 16 or older, you may use Form DS-82 to renew your passport. Please see Renew a Passport by Mail to see if you are eligible to apply using Form DS-82.

Some acceptance facilities require appointments and others do not. We recommend calling the acceptance facility ahead of time to verify their hours, acceptable forms of payment, and appointment requirements. Find your acceptance facility.

Passport Book Only: You may receive your newly-issued passport and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Please contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. We can send your passport book via a 1-2 day delivery service.

Passport Card Only: You may receive your newly-issued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Please contact NPIC if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards via 1-2 day delivery services.

Passport Book and Card: You may receive three separate mailings; one with your citizenship documents, one with your newly-issued passport book, and one with your newly-issued passport card. Please contact NPIC if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing.

If you choose not to submit a photocopy, you may submit a second certified copy of your birth certificate. We will keep this second certified copy for our records.