Form DS-11
Application for a U.S. Passport
Agency
DOS
Version
04-2025
Fee
$130 application fee + $35 execution fee (adult book). Children, expedited, and card-only fees vary.
Deadline
No deadline; apply 4-6 weeks before international travel (or pay for expedited service).
Official PDF hosted at eforms.state.gov · Verified 2026-05-19
Who Needs This Form
- First-time US passport applicants
- Children under 16 (always use DS-11)
- Adults whose previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
- Adults whose previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago
- Anyone with a passport issued before their 16th birthday
Step-by-Step Guide
Form DS-11 applies for a U.S. passport book and/or passport card. First-time applicants, all minors under 16, and adults whose prior passport was lost/stolen/damaged or was issued more than 15 years ago all use DS-11. You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility — DS-11 cannot be mailed.
Personal information block
Pages 1-2 of DS-11. Fill out IN BLACK INK or print neatly. Type-and-print online (Form Filler at travel.state.gov) is also acceptable.
Items 1-3 — Name
Last, First, Middle. Match your citizenship evidence exactly. If your name has changed since your birth certificate, you'll show the documentation at the acceptance facility.
Common mistake: Listing a nickname or hyphenated name not matching your birth certificate. Use the legal name; you can request a different name on the passport with court-order proof.
Item 4 — Date of birth
MM/DD/YYYY. Match your birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
Item 5 — Sex
M, F, or X. The State Department issues X-marker passports without medical documentation as of 2022.
Item 6 — Place of birth
City + state (US-born) or city + country (foreign-born US citizen).
Item 7 — Social Security number
Required for adult applicants. Children under 14 may apply without one. Failure to include a valid SSN results in the application being denied.
Contact and travel
Items 8-13 cover mailing/permanent address, phone, email, parents' info (always required regardless of age), and the trip you're applying for.
Item 8 — Mailing address
Where DOS will mail the passport. Use a stable US address you'll have for 6-8 weeks.
Items 9-10 — Phone, email
Email is REQUIRED if you want online application status updates. Phone is for DOS to reach you with questions.
Items 11-12 — Mother and father
ALWAYS required, regardless of your age, even if a parent is unknown or deceased. List names, places of birth, dates of birth. 'Unknown' is acceptable.
Item 13 — Travel plans
Country you plan to visit and departure date. Used to triage urgent applications; not binding. 'Various' is acceptable for general travel.
Item 14 — Emergency contact
A person NOT traveling with you who DOS can contact in an emergency. Provide a US address.
Choose carefully
Should be someone who is reachable and knows your travel patterns. Often a sibling, parent, or close friend.
Items 15-19 — Identifying information
Height (inches, no shoes), hair color, eye color, occupation, employer/school name. Honest answers required — not used for issuance decisions but for identification verification.
Height
Total inches (e.g., 5'10' = 70 inches). Measure without shoes.
Hair / Eye color
Pick from standardized options (BR brown, BL blue, etc.). If dyed/changing — use natural.
Item 20 — Have you previously had a US passport?
If yes, you may still need DS-11 (if the prior passport was issued more than 15 years ago, before you turned 16, or was lost/stolen/damaged). If your prior passport was issued in the last 15 years, after you turned 16, and you have it in undamaged condition — use DS-82 instead.
Lost or stolen prior passport
Also submit Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport).
Item 21 — Sex offender / law enforcement
Standard disclosure required by law. Honest yes/no.
Required disclosure
Convictions involving sexual misconduct against a minor must be disclosed. Will be on the passport's biographic page if applicable.
Items 22-25 — Application type and fees
Choose passport book ($130 + $35 execution = $165 adult), passport card ($30 + $35 = $65), both ($160 + $35 = $195), or expedite (+$60).
Passport book vs card
Book: international air travel anywhere. Card: land/sea entry from Canada/Mexico/Caribbean only. Both: insurance against losing one.
Tip: If you'll travel by air internationally even once, get the book. The card alone can't board an international flight.
Expedited service
+$60 for routine expedite (faster but still mailed, currently 2-3 weeks). For under-2-week travel, request a passport agency appointment.
Delivery options
Standard return is via Priority Mail (free). Optional 1-2 day shipping back to you ($21.36 as of 2024).
Signature
DO NOT SIGN until the acceptance agent witnesses you. The form is invalid if you sign it in advance.
When to sign
Only in front of the acceptance agent (post office passport clerk, public library, county clerk, etc.).
Common mistake: Signing the form at home before going to the acceptance facility. The clerk will make you start over.
For minors (under 16)
Both parents must appear in person at the acceptance facility OR submit consent forms (DS-3053 notarized) explaining a parent's absence. Photos and citizenship evidence still required.
Both parents present
Both sign DS-11 at the appointment. Bring both parents' IDs.
One parent only with sole authority
Bring documentation (custody order, death certificate, sole-authority court order). Without it, you'll need DS-3053 from the absent parent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Signing the application before the appointment
The acceptance agent must witness your signature. A pre-signed form is invalid and will be returned.
Fix: Fill in everything except the signature line. Sign at the appointment when the agent tells you to.
Using a photocopied birth certificate as citizenship evidence
DOS requires the original or a certified copy issued by the state/county vital records office. Notarized photocopies of birth certificates are NOT accepted.
Fix: Order a certified copy directly from the issuing state's vital records office. The copy must have a raised seal or other official authentication. Hospital 'commemorative' birth certificates also don't count.
Bringing photos that don't meet specs
Photo must be 2x2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, full face with neutral expression, white/off-white background, no glasses, no headwear (unless religious — submit signed statement). Acceptance agents reject non-conforming photos on the spot.
Fix: Get the photo at a CVS, Walgreens, FedEx Office, USPS location, or AAA — most have passport-photo service for $10-$15 and know the specs.
Forgetting one parent's documentation for a minor's application
For applicants under 16, both parents normally must appear or provide consent (DS-3053). Missing either = appointment rescheduled.
Fix: Plan ahead: schedule a time both parents can attend, OR get DS-3053 notarized in advance, OR bring court documentation showing sole authority.
Underestimating processing time
Routine processing is currently 6-8 weeks (sometimes longer in peak season). Expedited service is 2-3 weeks. Many travelers learn this too late.
Fix: Apply at least 3 months before international travel. If your trip is 0-2 weeks away, you need an appointment at a regional passport agency (limited slots, requires proof of imminent travel).
Filling out DS-82 (renewal) when you should use DS-11
DS-82 renewal is ONLY available if your prior passport was issued in the last 15 years, after you turned 16, in your current name (or with name-change documentation), and is undamaged. Otherwise you need DS-11 in person.
Fix: Check the State Department flowchart at travel.state.gov before downloading. When in doubt, DS-11 always works; DS-82 doesn't always.
Paying the application fee and execution fee at the same window
The execution fee ($35) goes to the acceptance facility (USPS, library, county). The application fee ($130 book or $30 card or $160 combined) goes to the U.S. Department of State via a check or money order.
Fix: Bring TWO separate payment methods: a personal check or money order to 'U.S. Department of State' for the application fee, and cash/card/check accepted by your acceptance facility for the $35 execution fee.
Not bringing a photocopy of your ID
DOS requires a photocopy of the front and back of the ID document (driver's license, state ID, military ID, etc.) you're using as identity evidence. Acceptance facilities sometimes have a copier; many don't.
Fix: Photocopy front and back of your ID before you go. Each on a separate 8.5x11 sheet, single-sided.
Fill Online — Free
Fill Form DS-11 in your browser
Application for a U.S. Passport. Step through the fields below, then download a filled PDF — your data never leaves this page.
Step 1 of 7
Personal information — name
Use the legal name as it appears on your citizenship evidence (birth certificate or naturalization certificate). If you've changed your name, you'll show documentation at the acceptance appointment.
Full middle name, not initial.
Maiden name, prior married name, aliases. Helps DOS match prior records.
Related Forms
See all forms →Forms commonly used alongside this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must I apply in person?
Because DS-11 is the application for a first-time or replacement passport — DOS needs an in-person witness to your signature and physical inspection of your citizenship and ID documents. Mail renewals (DS-82) are only for prior US-passport holders who meet specific criteria.
How much does it cost?
Adult passport book: $130 application fee + $35 execution fee = $165. Adult passport card: $30 + $35 = $65. Adult book+card combination: $160 + $35 = $195. Minor passport book: $100 + $35 = $135. Expedited service adds $60. Optional 1-2 day return shipping adds $21.36.
How long does it take?
Routine: 6-8 weeks as of mid-2024 (longer in peak seasons). Expedited (+$60): 2-3 weeks. Urgent (life-or-death emergency or international travel within 14 days): in-person appointment at a regional passport agency.
Can I get a same-day passport?
Only at a regional passport agency, with a confirmed appointment, and proof of international travel within 14 days (or 28 days if also needing a visa). There are 26 agencies nationwide and appointments are limited.
What if my name has changed?
Bring the legal document showing the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order). DOS will issue the passport in your current legal name.
Do passport cards work for international flights?
No. Passport cards are only valid for LAND or SEA entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and most of the Caribbean. For any international air travel — even to a country the card covers — you need a passport book.
What if my child's other parent can't come?
Get them to sign Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) in front of a notary public and submit it with the DS-11. If they're unreachable or have no parental rights, bring court documents (sole custody order, death certificate, etc.).
How long is a passport book valid?
Adult (16+) passport books: 10 years from issuance. Minor (under 16) books: 5 years. Many countries require 6 months of validity beyond your trip dates — plan renewals 9+ months before your book expires.
Sources
Disclaimer: Mubboo Editorial Team. This guide is for general information only and is not tax, legal, or immigration advice. Tax and immigration rules change — always confirm with the official agency, a licensed tax professional, or an immigration attorney before relying on these instructions for filing.