Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport  Here are the general steps for applying in person:

  1. Complete Form DS-11:Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport  You can fill out the form online at the State Department’s website but do not sign it until you are instructed to do so by an acceptance agent.
  2. Official wesite
  3. Gather your documents: Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 
    • Proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, naturalization certificate, SSN)
    • A photocopy of your proof of citizenship
    • A valid photo ID (e.g., driver’s license)
    • A photocopy of your photo ID (front and back)
    • One passport photo that meets the requirementsAPPLICANTS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES
  4. Make an appointment: Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport  You will need to make an appointment at a passport acceptance facility. These can include post offices, libraries, and other designated locations.
  5. Attend your appointment: Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport  Bring all your documents and the required fees to your appointment. You will sign the DS-11 form in the presence of the acceptance agent and pay the fees.

For more detailed information and specific requirements, please visit the official website of the U.S. Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

APPLICANTS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

An acceptable U.S. birth certificate must include your full name, date and place of birth, sex, date the birth record was filed, the seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records (state, county, or city/town office), and the full names of your parent(s).

  • If the birth certificate was filed more than one year after the birth: It must be supported by evidence described in the next paragraph.
  • If no birth record exists: Submit a registrar’s notice to that effect. Also, submit a combination of the evidence listed below, which should include your first and last name, date and/or place of birth, the seal or other certification of the office (if customary), and the signature of the issuing official. Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 
    • A hospital birth recordAn early baptismal or circumcision certificateEarly census, school, medical, or family Bible recordsInsurance files or published birth announcements (such as a newspaper article)
    • Notarized affidavits (or DS-10, Birth Affidavit) of older blood relatives having knowledge of your birth may be submitted in addition to some of the records listed above.

APPLICANTS BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Please note: If we determine that you are a U.S. citizen, your lawful permanent resident card submitted with this application will be forwarded to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

  • If you claim citizenship through naturalization of one or both parent(s), submit all of the following:
    • Certificate(s) of Naturalization of your parent(s)Your foreign birth certificate (and official translation if the document is not in English)Evidence of your admission to the United States for legal permanent residence and proof you subsequently resided in the United States
    : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 
    • Your parents’ marriage/certificate and/or evidence that you were in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent, if applicable
  • If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent, submit all of the following:
    • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240), Certification of Birth (Form DS-1350 or FS-545), or your foreign birth certificate (and official translation if the document is not in English)
    • Proof of U.S. citizenship of your parent
    • Your parents’ marriage certificate
    • Affidavit showing all of your U.S. citizen parents’ periods and places of residence and physical presence before your birth (DS-5507)
  • If you claim citizenship through adoption by a U.S. citizen parent(s)*, submit all of the following:
    • Evidence of your permanent residence status
    • Evidence of your full and final adoption
    • Evidence that you were in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent(s)
    • Evidence you have resided in the United States : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

*Only applies if the applicant was born on or after 10/05/1978.

You must establish your citizenship to the satisfaction of the Department. We may ask you to provide additional evidence to establish your claim to

U.S. citizenship. Visit travel.state.gov/citizenship for details.

OTHER FEE INFORMATION : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

FEES ARE LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV. BY LAW, THE PASSPORT FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Expedited service: Available for an additional fee. Our website travel.state.gov contains updated information regarding fees and processing times for expedited service. Expedited service is only available for passports mailed in the United States and Canada. Please include the appropriate fee with your payment.

1-2 Day Delivery: Available for an additional fee. This service is only available for passport book (and not passport card) mailings in the United States. Please include the appropriate fee with your payment.

Verification of a previous U.S. Passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad: An additional fee will be charged when, upon your request, we verify issuance of a previous U.S. passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad because you are unable to submit evidence of U.S. citizenship.

Special Issuance Passports: If you present U.S. government authorization to apply for a special issuance passport (no-fee regular, service, official, or diplomatic), you must pay the execution fee when applying at a designated acceptance facility. No other fees are charged when you apply. Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Separate mailings: You may receive your newly-issued U.S. passport book and/or card and your citizenship evidence in two separate mailings. If you are applying for both a U.S. passport book and passport card, you may receive three separate mailings; one with your returned evidence, one with your newly-issued passport book, and one with your newly-issued passport card.


Passport numbers: Each newly issued passport book or card will have a different passport number than your previous one.
“In care of”: If you do not live at the address listed in the “mailing address” section of this application, put the name of the person who does and mark it “In Care Of” in item # 8 on page 1 of 2. If the applicant is a minor child, please include the “in care of” name of the adult registered to receive mail at this address.


Moved? If your mailing address changes prior to receipt of your new passport, please contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877- 487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793) or NPIC@state.gov.
NOTE: The U.S. Department of State will not mail a U.S. passport to a private address outside the United States or Canada.

The U.S. passport card is not valid for international air travel. Unlike the U.S. passport book, the U.S. passport card is valid only for entry at land border crossings and sea ports of entry when traveling from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.


The maximum number of letters provided for your given name (first and middle) on the U.S. passport card is 24 characters. If both your given names are more than 24 characters, you must shorten one of your given names you list on item #1 on page 1 of 2.
Both the passport book and card are U.S. passports. They reflect the bearer’s identity and nationality, and they are subject to existing passport laws and regulations. U.S. passports are only issued to U.S. citizens or non-citizen U.S. nationals.


A United States citizen or non-citizen national may not normally have more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport book or more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport card at a time. Therefore, when a valid or potentially valid U.S. passport book or card cannot be presented with a new application, you must submit a Form DS-64, Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport. Your statement must detail why the previous U.S. passport book or card cannot be presented.

The information you provide regarding your lost or stolen U.S. passport book or card will be placed into our Consular Lost or Stolen Passport System. This system is designed to prevent the misuse of your lost or stolen U.S. passport book or card. Anyone using the passport book or card that was reported lost or stolen may be detained upon entry into the United States.

If you find the U.S. passport book or card that was reported lost or stolen, report it as found, and submit it for cancellation. It has been invalidated. You cannot use that passport book or card for travel.

AUTHORITIES: Collection of this information is authorized by 22 U.S.C. 211a et seq.; 8 U.S.C. 1104; 26 U.S.C. 6039E, 22 U.S.C. 2714a(f), Section 236 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001; Executive Order 11295 (August 5, 1966); and 22 C.F.R. parts 50 and 51.

PURPOSE: We are requesting this information in order to determine your eligibility to be issued a U.S. passport. Your Social Security number is used to verify your identity. Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

ROUTINE USES: This information may be disclosed to another domestic government agency, a private contractor, a foreign government agency, or to a private person or private employer in accordance with certain approved routine uses. These routine uses include, but are not limited to, law enforcement activities, employment verification, fraud prevention, border security, counterterrorism, litigation activities, and activities that meet the Secretary of State’s responsibility to protect U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals abroad.

More information on the Routine Uses for the system can be found in System of Records Notices State-05, Overseas Citizen Services Records and Other Overseas Records and State-26, Passport Records.

DISCLOSURE: Providing information on this form is voluntary. Be advised, however, that failure to provide the information requested on this form may cause delays in processing your U.S. passport application and/or could result in the refusal or denial of your application. Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Failure to provide your Social Security number may result in the denial of your application (consistent with 22 U.S.C. 2714a(f)) and may subject you to a penalty enforced by the Internal Revenue Service, as described in the Federal Tax Law section of the instructions to this form. Your Social Security number will be provided to the Department of the Treasury and may be used in connection with debt collection, among other purposes authorized and generally described in this section. Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 85 minutes per response, including the time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary data, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid OMB control number.Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or recommendations for reducing it, please send them to: Passport Forms Officer, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services, Office of Program Management and Operational Support, 44132 Mercure Cir, PO Box 1199, Sterling, Virginia 20166-1199. Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport

If you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time, replacing a lost or stolen passport, or obtaining a passport for a child under 16, you must apply in person. The process is straightforward but requires careful preparation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it.Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Step 1: Determine Eligibility : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

You must apply in person if:

  • You are applying for 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 the age of 16.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Before visiting a passport acceptance facility, ensure you have the following:

  • Form DS-11 – This is the official application form, available online or at passport acceptance facilities.
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship – Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, a previously issued U.S. passport, a certificate of naturalization, or a certificate of citizenship.
  • Photo Identification – A government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, military ID, or state ID card.
  • Passport Photo – A 2×2 inch color photo meeting the U.S. Department of State’s requirements.
  • Payment – The passport fee can be paid via check or money order payable to the “U.S. Department of State.” Fees vary based on the type of passport and processing speed.

Step 3: Visit a Passport Acceptance Facility : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

You must apply in person at an approved passport acceptance facility, which can include:

  • U.S. post offices
  • Public libraries
  • Local government offices
  • Some clerks of court offices

Use the U.S. Department of State’s website to locate the nearest facility. Some locations require an appointment, so check ahead of time.

Step 4: Submit Your Application : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

When you arrive at the facility:

  • Present your completed Form DS-11 and all required documents.
  • Provide copies of your proof of citizenship and ID.
  • Have your passport photo reviewed for compliance.
  • Pay the applicable fees.
  • If applying for a child under 16, both parents or legal guardians must be present. If one parent is unavailable, a notarized statement of consent (Form DS-3053) must be provided.

Step 5: Choose Processing Time : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Processing times vary:

  • Routine Processing: Typically takes 6-8 weeks.
  • Expedited Processing: Available for an additional fee, reducing the wait time to 2-3 weeks.
  • Emergency Processing: Available in urgent situations; an appointment at a passport agency is required.

Step 6: Track Your Application : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

After submission, you can track your application status online through the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Conclusion : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

Applying for a U.S. passport in person is a simple process if you prepare in advance. Ensuring you have the correct documents, completing the application accurately, and choosing the right processing time will help you obtain your passport without unnecessary delays. If you need your passport urgently, consider expedited or emergency processing options.

Disclaimer : Applying in Person for a U.S. Passport 

The information provided in this article is for general guidance only and may be subject to change. Applicants should always refer to the official U.S. Department of State website or contact the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information on passport application requirements and procedures.