Last updated: October 30, 2026
Here is how to get a passport for the first time in the United States: fill out Form DS-11 but leave it unsigned, gather original proof of U.S. citizenship and a photo ID with photocopies, get a 2×2-inch color photo, and apply in person at an acceptance facility such as a post office. An adult passport book costs $165.
The rules come from the U.S. Department of State, and USA.gov confirms that a first passport cannot be applied for online or by mail.
Contents
- How to get a passport step by step
- What documents do you need to get a passport?
- Passport photo requirements
- How much does a passport cost?
- Where can you apply for a passport?
- How to get a passport fast
- How to get a passport for a child
- Frequently asked questions
How to get a passport step by step
According to the Form DS-11 instructions, you must apply in person if this is your first U.S. passport, you are under 16, or your last passport was issued before age 16, more than 15 years ago, or was lost, stolen or damaged.
- Fill out Form DS-11. Use the State Department’s online form filler or the PDF. Do not sign it yet.
- Gather proof of U.S. citizenship, such as an original or certified birth certificate, and make a front-and-back photocopy.
- Bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and a photocopy of the front and back.
- Get one 2×2-inch color passport photo taken within the last six months.
- Calculate your fees and prepare a check or money order for the State Department plus separate payment for the facility.
- Book an appointment at a passport acceptance facility. Many require one.
- Sign in front of the agent. The acceptance agent gives the oath, witnesses your signature and collects the fees.
- Track your application online. USPS notes a status update may not appear for about two weeks after you apply.
If you already have a passport, you may not need this process. See whether you can renew an expired passport by mail or online instead.
What documents do you need to get a passport?
Proof of U.S. citizenship
Submit an original or certified copy of one of these primary documents, plus a photocopy. The original is mailed back to you.
- A U.S. birth certificate issued by the city, county or state, listing your full name, date and place of birth, your parents’ full names, a registrar’s signature and seal, and a filing date within one year of birth
- A fully valid, undamaged U.S. passport (it may be expired)
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth Abroad
- A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
If your birth certificate was filed late or no birth record exists, the DS-11 instructions allow a mix of secondary evidence, such as hospital birth records and early school or census records.
Proof of identity
Present an original ID that shows a good likeness of you, with a front-and-back photocopy. Accepted examples include a driver’s license (not a temporary or learner’s permit), a current or previous U.S. passport, a military ID, a federal, state or city government employee ID, and a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
A passport also works as ID at airport security; our REAL ID requirements guide covers the other accepted IDs.
Passport photo requirements
The DS-11 instructions list these photo rules:
- One color photo, 2×2 inches, taken within the last six months
- Head 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, facing the camera
- Plain white or off-white background
- Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
- No eyeglasses, no head coverings and no uniforms or camouflage, except for documented religious or medical reasons
USPS says many post offices take passport photos for $15.
How much does a passport cost?
First-time applicants pay two fees: an application fee to the U.S. Department of State and a $35 acceptance fee to the facility. These amounts come from the State Department passport fees page and the federal Schedule of Fees for Consular Services.
| Applicant | Document | Application fee | Acceptance fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (16 or older) | Passport book | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Adult (16 or older) | Passport card | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Adult (16 or older) | Book and card | $160 | $35 | $195 |
| Child (under 16) | Passport book | $100 | $35 | $135 |
| Child (under 16) | Passport card | $15 | $35 | $50 |
Optional extras are $60 for expedited service and $26.87 for 1–3 day return delivery of a passport book. Pay the State Department by personal, certified, cashier’s or traveler’s check, or money order, made out to “U.S. Department of State.” Post offices take card, check or money order for their own $35 fee. Passport fees are non-refundable.
Where can you apply for a passport?
Acceptance facilities include post offices, clerks of court, libraries and other local government offices. Search by ZIP code with the State Department’s passport acceptance facility locator. At a post office, USPS asks first-time applicants to book an appointment online, at a lobby kiosk or at the counter. If you live abroad, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
How to get a passport fast
Processing times vary through the year, so check the State Department’s current estimates first. Your options:
- Expedited service: add $60 to the State Department payment. The State Department directs travelers who need a passport in less than six weeks to this option.
- Faster shipping: pay for Priority Mail Express to send your application and $26.87 for 1–3 day return delivery.
- Passport agency appointment: limited, restricted appointments for urgent travel. Call 1-877-487-2778.
- Life-or-death emergency: if an immediate family member has died or is gravely ill or injured and you must travel within 72 hours (3 business days), appointments are available by request.
Also check the destination’s entry rules. Some countries expect your passport to stay valid well after arrival, as explained in our answer on whether you need 6 months left on your passport.
How to get a passport for a child
Children under 16 must apply in person with Form DS-11. Both parents or guardians should attend with the child, bring proof of the parental relationship such as a birth certificate, and show their own photo IDs. If one parent cannot attend, bring that parent’s notarized consent (Form DS-3053), no more than three months old, or proof of sole custody.
Teens ages 16 and 17 may apply on their own, but at least one parent must be aware of the application. A child’s passport is valid for five years and cannot be renewed; read more on how long a U.S. passport is valid and on renewing a child’s passport by mail.
Before choosing the cheaper card, check whether a passport card works for air travel. Also note that the DS-11 says you may be ineligible if you owe child support or have unpaid federal taxes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a passport cost?
A first-time adult passport book costs $165: a $130 application fee paid to the U.S. Department of State plus a $35 acceptance fee paid to the facility. An adult passport card costs $65 in total, and a child’s passport book costs $135.
What do I need to get a passport for the first time?
Bring an unsigned Form DS-11, original proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, a valid photo ID, photocopies of both documents, one 2×2-inch color photo, and payment for the application and acceptance fees.
Can I get a passport at the post office?
Yes. Thousands of post offices accept first-time passport applications for the State Department, and many also take passport photos. USPS asks applicants to book an appointment online, at a lobby kiosk, or at the counter.
How long does it take to get a passport?
Processing times change during the year, so check the State Department’s current estimates before you apply. USPS advises applying several months before international travel, and the $60 expedited service is meant for travelers who need a passport sooner.
What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
A passport book is valid for international travel by air, land and sea. A passport card is valid only at land border crossings and seaports when arriving from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, not for international flights.
Sources
- USA.gov: Apply for a new adult passport
- U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees
- U.S. Department of State: Form DS-11 and instructions (PDF)
- eCFR: 22 CFR 22.1, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services
- USPS: Passports
Image: United States Passport Book by Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
