DS-11 Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Apply for Your First U.S. Passport

Form DS-11 is the application for first-time U.S. passport applicants and for anyone whose previous passport was lost, stolen, or issued more than 15 years ago. Here is everything you need to complete the process without rejection.

Last updated: 2026 · 12 min read

Who Needs to Use DS-11?

You must use Form DS-11 (and apply in person at an acceptance facility) if any of the following apply to you:

• You are applying for your first U.S. passport
• Your most recent U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16
• Your most recent U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago
• Your most recent U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
• Your most recent U.S. passport was issued in a different name and you don't have legal documentation of the name change

If none of the above apply — you're an adult renewing a valid passport issued in your current name — you can use Form DS-82 and renew by mail. See our passport renewal guide for that process.

Complete Document Checklist for DS-11

Bring originals of everything listed. Photocopies of originals are also required where noted — most acceptance facilities have a copier, but it's faster to bring your own.

• Completed DS-11 form — print, fill out completely, but do not sign Download from travel.state.gov. Print single-sided. Do not use a pencil. Do not sign — the agent witnesses your signature.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship — typically your certified birth certificate Must be a certified copy issued by a city, county, or state vital records office — with a raised/embossed seal and registrar's signature. Hospital birth certificates are NOT accepted.
• Photocopy of citizenship document (front and back if applicable) 8½ × 11 inch paper, black-and-white or color, both sides on separate sheets.
• Government-issued photo ID — driver's license, state ID, or military ID Must be current/not expired. Student IDs are not accepted as primary ID. REAL ID required for air travel by May 2025 but any valid government photo ID works for passport application.
• Photocopy of photo ID (front and back on same page) Both sides of your ID on the same sheet of paper.
• Passport photo — 2×2 inch, compliant Within the last 6 months. Plain white or off-white background. No glasses. Neutral expression. Many acceptance facilities offer on-site photos. See our photo guide.
• Payment for application fee Passport book: $130 (adult) or $100 (under 16). Passport card: $30 (adult) or $15 (under 16). Must be paid by check or money order to "U.S. Department of State." Most facilities also charge a $35 acceptance fee payable separately to the facility.
• Payment for acceptance fee — $35 (separate from application fee) Paid directly to the acceptance facility (USPS, county clerk, etc.). Many facilities now accept credit/debit cards for this fee. Cash is usually accepted. Ask when booking.

If Your Name Has Changed Since Your Last ID Was Issued

Bring your original legal name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). You'll also need a photocopy of that document. The name on your DS-11 must exactly match your citizenship document — if it doesn't, bring the documentation explaining the difference.

What Birth Certificates Are Accepted — and Which Are Not

This is the most common source of same-day rejection. The State Department has strict requirements for what counts as a valid birth certificate.

✅ Accepted

• A certified copy of your birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, county, or city vital records office
• It must have a raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal
• It must have the registrar's signature
• It must be printed on security paper (not plain paper)
• It must show your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' full names

❌ Not Accepted

• Hospital-issued birth certificates ("souvenir" or "commemorative" certificates given at birth — these are not legal documents)
• Photocopies of any birth certificate
• Laminated birth certificates (lamination invalidates the security features)
• Certificates that are torn, damaged, or have alterations
• Certificates without a raised seal or registrar's signature
• Certificates that only show the mother's name (some older certificates from certain states)

Passport Photo Requirements

The State Department rejects thousands of photos that don't meet technical specifications. Here's exactly what you need:

• Size: Exactly 2 inches × 2 inches (51mm × 51mm)
• Background: Plain white or off-white only — no patterns, shadows, or other colors
• Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed
• Eyes: Open and directed at the camera. No red-eye.
• Glasses: Not allowed as of 2016. Remove glasses for your photo.
• Head coverings: Only permitted for religious reasons, and must not obscure any facial features
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
• Print: Printed on photo paper, not plain paper

CVS, Walgreens, Walmart Photo, FedEx Office, UPS Store, and AAA all offer compliant passport photos. Many USPS acceptance facility post offices take photos on-site ($15–$18). See our complete passport photo guide for more detail and a comparison of where to get photos near you.

Completing the DS-11 Form: Common Mistakes

DS-11 is straightforward but easy to get wrong. Here are the most frequent errors that cause same-day problems:

Mistakes That Invalidate the Form

• Signing the form before your appointment. The acceptance agent must witness your signature. If you sign early, the form is invalid and you must complete a new one on the spot.
• Using a pencil. DS-11 must be completed in black ink pen.
• Crossing out or using correction fluid. Any alterations to the form require starting over with a fresh copy.

Mistakes That Cause Delays

• Not matching your name exactly as it appears on your citizenship document
• Using a P.O. Box for your mailing address when a physical address is required for certain fields
• Leaving the Social Security number field blank if you have an SSN (required)
• Entering an emergency contact who shares your last name without noting the relationship

Application Fees: What You'll Pay in 2026

Payment rules: The State Department application fee must be paid by check or money order. Personal checks are accepted; business checks are not. Money orders from USPS, banks, or Western Union are all accepted. Do not use cash for the State Department fee — it will not be accepted. The acceptance facility's $35 fee is separate and payment methods vary (many now take cards).

Processing Times in 2026

After you submit your DS-11 at an acceptance facility, your application is forwarded to a passport processing center. Current processing times as of spring 2026:

• Routine processing: 6–8 weeks
• Expedited processing (+$60): 2–3 weeks
• Routine delivery (included): Standard mail, ~1 week after printing
• 1–2 day delivery (optional, +~$19): After printing, overnight delivery

These times are from the date the State Department receives your application — not the date of your facility appointment. If you're traveling within 14 weeks, order expedited. If you're traveling within 6 weeks, see our expedited guide for regional agency options.

What Happens at Your Appointment

Find Your Local Acceptance Facility

Ready to apply? Use our county finder to locate the nearest acceptance facility, check walk-in vs. appointment policies, and see if photo services are available on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions