First US Passport Checklist (DS-11) — What You Need
Applying for your first adult US passport? In 15 seconds: you must apply in person with Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility — first passports can never be renewed or done by mail. Bring the form (unsigned), original citizenship evidence plus a photocopy, a physical photo ID plus a photocopy, one 2×2 inch photo, and two separate payments totaling $165 for the passport book. Routine processing takes 4–6 weeks. Verified against USAGov and State Department sources, September 2026 — always confirm at travel.state.gov before you go.
Where to apply: acceptance facility vs passport agency
- Acceptance facility — post offices, libraries and clerks of court. This is where almost everyone applies. Find one at iafdb.travel.state.gov; some require appointments or have limited hours, so check ahead.
- Passport agency — regional State Department offices for urgent travel within 14 days, by appointment only, with proof of travel. Life-or-death emergencies are handled case-by-case.
Why you can't renew: the DS-11 in-person rule
A first-time passport — or a replacement when your last one was lost, issued before age 16, issued more than 15 years ago, or damaged — always goes through Form DS-11, submitted in person. It cannot be done online or by mail. Fill DS-11 online at pptform.state.gov and print, or download the PDF and hand-fill. Do not sign it until the acceptance agent tells you — the signature must be witnessed, and a pre-signed form is rejected at the counter.
The three document categories
- Proof of citizenship (original, submitted — returned by mail separately): a certified US birth certificate (with registrar signature, filing date within 1 year of birth and official seal), a full-validity undamaged previous passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship. Electronic or mobile birth certificates are not accepted. You also need a photocopy of this document — front (and back if printed there), clear, on white 8.5"×11" paper, single-sided. Don't laminate the copy.
- Photo ID (presented, not submitted — must be physical): best is an in-state fully valid driver's license. Digital and mobile IDs are not accepted. If you only have secondary IDs (out-of-state license, Social Security card, student ID), present two. Bring a photocopy of the front and back on white 8.5"×11" paper, single side, not shrunk.
- Passport photo: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, no head covering unless religious, head 1–1⅜ inches from chin. Make yours with the US passport photo tool — the same 2×2 spec works for US visa photos.
Fees and processing times
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passport book application fee (to Dept of State) | $130 |
| Execution/acceptance fee (to the facility) | $35 |
| Book total (first-time) | $165 — two separate payments |
| Passport card (optional add-on) | +$30 (book + card together = $195) |
| Expedited service (optional) | +$60 |
Pay two ways: one check or money order for the $130 to "U.S. Department of State" (credit/debit not accepted for this fee at acceptance facilities) and the $35 acceptance fee to the facility separately. A wrong fee amount causes processing delays — check the current official fee chart before you pay.
- Routine: 4–6 weeks (official, as of January 28, 2026).
- Expedited: 2–3 weeks for +$60.
- Urgent (travel within 14 days): appointment at a passport agency.
- Mailing time is NOT included — add up to 2 weeks each way. Your citizenship documents come back in a separate mailing from the passport.
What you do NOT need — and common mistakes
- No visa documents — this page is for the US passport book itself. Visa checklists for foreigners live at US visa checklist.
- Don't sign DS-11 early — a pre-signed signature line gets the form rejected at the counter.
- No electronic or mobile birth certificate — paper originals only, and no laminated photocopies.
- No digital driver's license — photo ID must be physical.
- No mail-in first applications — DS-11 must be filed in person, always.
- Don't use the passport card for international air travel — it's for land and sea crossings only.
- Don't confuse mailing time with processing time — door-to-door can add 2–4 weeks beyond the routine estimate.
60-second check before you go
- ☐ DS-11 filled in — and NOT signed
- ☐ Original citizenship evidence + clear photocopy (8.5"×11", single side)
- ☐ Physical photo ID + photocopy of front and back
- ☐ One 2×2 inch photo, white background, no glasses, neutral expression
- ☐ Two payments ready: $130 (or $160 for book + card) to Dept of State + $35 to the facility
- ☐ Acceptance facility appointment or hours confirmed
- ☐ Trip is 6–8+ weeks away (routine) or expedited +$60 planned
Compare with other checklists
Planning more travel paperwork? See the Japan visa checklist, the US visa interview checklist, or the Schengen visa checklist. Photo specs for every document are on the photo sizes page.