You must present a physical, photo ID at the time of your application. If you do not have an acceptable photo ID, a parent or legal guardian who can present acceptable photo ID must sign the application with you.

The most common photo ID we accept is a: 

• Fully-valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo.

If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID. 

If your photo ID is a fully-valid learner’s permit, you may need to show a second ID. Go to our Identification page to get the full list of acceptable photo IDs.

You must show a legal parent or guardian is aware in one of these ways:

• Parent Applies with You: One of your legal parents or guardians applies with you and signs Form DS-11. Bring a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID.
• Parent Signs Note: Submit a signed note from your legal parent or guardian. Bring a photocopy of that parent or guardian’s ID.
• Parent Pays Fees: Submit a check or money order with your legal parent or guardian’s name. 

If it isn’t clear your parent is aware you are applying, we may ask you to submit a notarized statement  Form DS-3053 from your parent or guardian. You will need to include a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID.

Before you apply, please note that some children age 16 or 17 may not be aware that they are enrolled in the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program. When we receive a passport application for a child enrolled in this program, we will contact the parent or legal guardian who enrolled the child before we can issue a passport.

Some U.S. states allow you to get your statement notarized electronically or remotely. We can accept a statement notarized electronically under state law. You should also provide a printed copy when applying for a passport. If you have questions about these services, contact a notary public in your state.

You must provide a: 

• photocopy of your citizenship evidence (along with the original or replacement version that has the seal or stamp), and
• photocopy of the front and back of your photo ID

Photocopy requirements:

• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
• Use a single side of the paper
• Black and white (no color)

You must also provide more documents if:

• Your current valid passport is lost or stolen
  • Complete and submit Form DS-64
• Your valid passport is damaged 
  • Provide a signed statement explaining the damage and submit the damaged passport
  • Examples of passport damage include stains, significant tears, unofficial markings, or missing pages. Normal wear such as folded pages or small bends does not count as a damaged passport.

You must provide one photo with your application. Go to our Passport Photo page for photo requirements and to see examples of photos. 

• Do not attach or staple your photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.

When you apply for a passport using Form DS-11, you will need to pay two fees: one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the facility where you submit your application.

Adult Applicants (Age 16 and older):

How to pay the passport application fee:

• Use a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State."
• Write the applicant’s name and date of birth in the memo section.

Optional fees:

• Add $60 to your application fee if you faster expedited service.
• Add $21.36 to your application fee if you want your new passport shipped in 1-2 days after it is printed.  

How to pay the acceptance fee:

• Find an acceptance facility to learn what payment methods they accept. 

For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, visit our Passport Fees page.

You must submit your passport application, documents, and fees at an authorized passport acceptance facility. The passport agent will verify your ID, give you an oath, and have you sign the application.  

Where you apply depends on your travel plans. Current processing times are: 

• 4-6 weeks for routine service
• 2-3 weeks for expedite service (extra $60). 

Our processing times do not include mailing times.

• Consider the total time it will take to receive your passport when you are booking travel. 
• It may take two weeks for your application to get to us, and two weeks for you to get your new passport after we mail it. 

In the United States:

• Traveling in more than 3 weeks? Go to a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment. 
• Traveling internationally in less than 3 weeks? Make an appointment to apply at a passport agency or center once you're within 14 days of travel. 

Outside the United States:

• Contact your U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions. 

After you sign and submit your passport application, the facility will mail it to the U.S. Department of State for processing, which may take up to two weeks. 

We will send status updates to the email address you provided on your application. You will know we are processing the application when you get an email update of “In Process.” You can also check the status of the application online.

If you did not receive application status updates, want to change the email address receiving status updates, or learn more about each status update, please visit our application status page.