Applying for Your First U.S. Passport (Form DS-11)
Short answer: A first U.S. passport requires Form DS-11 submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility. Bring original citizenship evidence (certified birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a valid photo ID plus a photocopy, one 2x2 photo, and two payments: the application fee to the Department of State and the $35 execution fee to the facility. Routine processing is about 6–8 weeks, expedited about 2–3 weeks.
Updated August 2026. Government processing times and fees per the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov).
First-time applicants apply in person, on Form DS-11, at a passport acceptance facility — usually a post office, clerk of court, or public library. The application itself is straightforward; what trips people up is the evidence. Here is exactly what you need to bring and what the acceptance agent will check.
Key facts
| Form | DS-11 (in person) |
|---|---|
| Where | Acceptance facility |
| Expedited | 2–3 weeks |
| Our fee | From $97 |
You must apply in person if…
- This is your first U.S. passport.
- Your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Your previous passport was issued when you were under 16.
- Your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
- You are applying for a child under 16.
Evidence of U.S. citizenship — bring the original
Photocopies are not accepted as citizenship evidence. Hospital-issued 'souvenir' birth certificates are not accepted either. Your original document is mailed in with the application and returned to you.
- A certified U.S. birth certificate with a raised, embossed, or colored seal, the full names of both parents, and the registrar's signature
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240 / CRBA)
- A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
- A previous, undamaged U.S. passport
Photo ID and photocopies
You'll present a valid photo ID — most often a state driver's license — and you must also bring a photocopy of the front and back of that ID on plain white paper. The acceptance agent will not make the copy for you, and being turned away for a missing photocopy is one of the most common wasted trips.
Do not sign the form early
Form DS-11 is signed in front of the acceptance agent, who administers an oath. If you sign at home, the form is void and you'll have to complete a new one. Your ExpediteGov packet prints with the signature line clearly flagged for this reason.
What we prepare for you
- Your DS-11 filled in completely and correctly
- A personalized document checklist for your exact case
- Photo compliance review before you leave the house
- The fee sheet with the correct amount, payee, and memo line
- Help finding an acceptance facility and understanding what happens there
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a first-time passport?
At a passport acceptance facility — typically a participating post office, county clerk's office, or public library. Many require an appointment.
Can I get a first-time passport expedited?
Yes. You request expedited service when you submit your DS-11 and pay the government expedite fee. With documented travel inside 14 days, you may instead qualify for an in-person appointment at a regional passport agency.
Will I get my birth certificate back?
Yes. Original citizenship documents are returned to you, usually in a separate mailing from your passport.
Do I need a passport card too?
It's optional. The card is valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda — never for international flights — and it works as a federally accepted photo ID.