Your Immigration Link to the World

1. As a minor under 16 you and your parent(s) or guardian(s) must apply in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency.
2. Begin Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport.
3. Check the appropriate box at the top of the DS-11 to indicate that you are applying for a passport book.
4. Complete a Form DS-11 but do not sign the application until instructed to do so by the Acceptance Agent.
5. Include evidence of the minor’s U.S. citizenship (Documents will be returned when passport is issued or denied).
6. Include evidence of the minor’s relationship to parent(s) or guardian(s).
7. Include an acceptable form of identification for the parent(s) or guardian(s).
8. Include a photocopy of each identification document the parent(s) or guardian(s) are presenting. If you are applying on behalf of multiple minors you need to include a separate photocopy of each identification document for each application.
9. The parent(s) or guardian(s) must provide their consent in order for the passport to be issued. See Acceptable Forms of Parental Consent for Minor.
10. Include the application fee.
11. Submit a passport photo according to photo requirements (If it is your first time you can get a free one). and
    
12. Submit Form DS-11.

1. As a first time applicant you must apply in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency.
2. Begin Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport.
3. Check the appropriate box at the top of the DS-11 to indicate that you are applying for a passport book.
4. Complete a Form DS-11 but do not sign the application until instructed to do so by the Acceptance Agent.
5. Include evidence of U.S. Citizenship (Documents will be returned when passport is issued or denied).
6. Include an acceptable form of government issued identification such as a passport, driver’s license, naturalization certificate or military identification.
7. Include the application fee.
8. Submit a passport photo meeting requirements.
9. File Form DS-11.

Passport Card

If you are eighteen or older & it is your first time applying for a passport:

1. As a first time applicant you must apply in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency.
2. Begin Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport.
3. Check the appropriate box at the top of the DS-11 to indicate that you are applying for a passport card.
4. Complete a Form DS-11but do not sign the application until instructed to do so by the Acceptance Agent.
5. Include evidence of U.S. Citizenship (Documents will be returned when passport is issued or denied).
6. Include an acceptable form of government issued identification such as a passport, driver’s license, naturalization certificate or military identification.
7. Include the application fee.
8. Submit a passport photo meeting requirements.
9. File Form DS-11.

Evidence

Acceptable Evidence of Minor’s U.S. Citizenship

Acceptable Evidence of Minor’s Relationship to Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

Acceptable Forms of Primary Identification for Minor’s Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

Acceptable Forms of Parental Consent for Minor

1. Both parents must appear in person with the minor and sign a Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent.
2. One parent must appear in person with the minor and sign a Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent. In addition, the parent must submit the second parent’s notarized Statement of Consent (DS-3053).
3. One parent (with sole legal custody) must appear in person with the minor and sign a Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent.  In addition, the parent must submit:
   a) Minor’s certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only the applying parent;
   b) Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth Abroad listing only the applying parent;
   c) Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent;
   d) Adoption decree if applying parent is sole adopting parent;
   e) Court order specifically permitting the applying parent/guardian to travel with the minor;
   f) Judicial declaration of non-applying parent’s incompetence;
   g) Death certificate of non-applying parent.
   h) If you cannot obtain any of the following the applying parent must submit Form DS-3053 stating why the non-applying parents consent cannot be obtained.
   
4. A third party applying on behalf of the minor must appear in person with the minor and submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both the minor’s parents/guardians authorizing the third party to apply on behalf of their minor child. 5. A third party applying on behalf of the minor must appear in person with the minor and submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from the minor’s sole custody parent/guardian authorizing the third party to apply on behalf of their minor child and presenting evidence of the sole custody of the parent/guardian.

Photocopies

1. Photocopy must be on plain white, 8 ½ x 11 standard paper stock. The paper cannot have any other images or markings.  The 8 ½ x 11 paper size cannot be substituted with a larger or smaller size even if it is folded.
2. The photocopy must show both front and back of the identification.
3. Photocopy must only have an image on one side of the paper.
4. You may enlarge the image but you may not shrink it.

Acceptable Forms of Primary Identification

1. Previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport;
2. Certificate of Naturalization;
3. Valid driver’s license;
4. Current government identification (Driver’s license);
5. Current military identification.

Acceptable Forms of Secondary Identification
These documents are not acceptable as secondary identification unless presented together:

1. Social Security Card
2. Credit Card
3. Employee identification
4. Library card
5. An identifying witness who can swear to your identity and must: (a) Be present at the time of the application; (b) Have known you for at least 2 years; (c) Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; (d) Have a valid form of identification; (e) Fill out Form DS-71, Affidavit of Identifying Witness, in the presence of the Passport Agent or Acceptance Agent. You can get this form at the acceptance facility or passport agency.

Situations Requiring an Additional Photocopy

1. If you are presenting secondary identification you should make a photocopy of the front and back of each document. However, you don’t need to make a photocopy of your credit card.
2. If your primary identification is expired you must provide a photocopy of both the front and back.
3. If you are a handicapped applicant with an assistant who witnesses the signing of the application or signs an affidavit on behalf of the applicant then you must also provide a photocopy of your identification.
4. If you are using an identifying witness then he or she must present a photocopy of their identification.
   
   

FAQ's

Q1. What if my Primary Identification is expired?
If your primary identification is out of date then you must submit a second form of identification along with it to help evidence your claim. In addition, you must provide photocopies of the front and back of both documents. However, if you provide a credit card as your second form of identification you do not have to make a photocopy.

Q2. How can I tell whether my birth certificate is considered certified?
If you plan on presenting your birth certificate as your primary form of identification then you must make sure that it is a certified version and not an abstract or short version. Though the Department of State does not deny the validity of an abstract birth certificate for the purpose of applying for a passport it is considered unacceptable. The easiest way to tell if it is certified or not is by seeing if the document has a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, the registrar’s signature and the date the birth was filed with the registrar, which has to be within a year of your birth.

Q3. Who is considered eligible for a no-fee passport?
You may be eligible for a no-fee passport if you are traveling abroad for the U.S. government, you are the dependent of someone traveling abroad for the U.S. government, you are exempt by law from payment of a passport fee or you are traveling overseas to honor a deceased family member in the U.S. Armed Forces. If you are eligible under one of these categories then you need to contact your respective office in order to learn how to obtain a no-fee passport. If you are eligible to obtain a U.S. military no-fee passport then you need to contact your Installation Travel Office. If you are traveling abroad at the behest of a U.S. government agency then you need to contact your Agency headquarters travel office. If you are traveling abroad as part of the Peace Corps you need to contact their travel office. If you are Department of State personnel then you should contact your Bureau Executive Officer or Personnel Technician. If you find yourself ineligible under these qualifications then you may actually attempt to contact your State Congressional representative in a bid to get a no-fee passport.

Q4. Am I eligible to obtain a no-fee passport if I am planning on traveling abroad to visit the grave or memorial of a deceased U.S. Armed Forces family member?
If you are the widow(er), child, parent, brother or sister of a deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is buried or memorialized at an overseas military cemetery administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission then you may be eligible to obtain a no-fee passport. In order to go about obtaining one of these no-fee passports you need to first contact the American Battle Monuments Commission to express your interest in visiting a fallen family member overseas. In turn the Commission should issue you a letter naming the deceased family member and the relationship to the applicant as well as the place of burial or memorial abroad. When you go to submit your application to the passport agency or acceptance facility you need to include this letter with your application in order to qualify for a no-fee passport. If your application is accepted then you will be issued a passport that is valid for a period of five years which you may use for future trips of the same purpose. Additionally, when you submit your application make sure to include your personal mailing address so your passport can be mailed directly to you.

Q5. How can I locate a local Passport Acceptance facility in order to submit my application?
If you are not aware of a location near you where can submit your passport application then you can use the Department of State website passport facility search tool to provide you with a list of the facilities in your area.

Q6. What exactly is the difference between a U.S. Passport Book and a U.S. Passport Card?
When deciding whether to apply for a passport card or book it is important to keep in mind that the passport card is not intended for international travel by air. Instead it was made to cater to citizens who regularly commute between the land and sea borders of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda on a regular basis and who do not want to fill up their passport book with entry and exit stamps. In addition to this the U.S. Passport Card is cheaper than the Passport book.

Q7. What if an emergency situation has arisen in which I have less than 2 weeks to travel overseas and I have no passport?
If a situation arises in which you need to have a passport in less than 2 weeks the only option you have is to make an appointment at your Regional Passport Agency.  You can make an appointment by calling the Automated Appointment System at 1-877-487-2778.  If no appointments are available before your intended travel date, then you must go to your closest passport office by 8:00 a.m.  There is no fee for making an appointment but you should be prepared to pay an Expedited Fee for each application you submit.