How Do I Apply For A Passport

Passport cover and passport photo on desk.

Thousands of Post Offices^™ accept first-time passport applications for the U.S. Department of State. Most of those locations can also take your passport photo.

Renewing Passports: If you answer 'Yes' to all 5 eligibility questions in the "Renew a Passport by Mail" section, mail your renewal form directly to the State Department. If you don't meet all the renewal requirements, you'll need to go to a Post Office in person and do a new, first-time passport application.
First-Time Passports (and Passport Photos): Schedule your in-person appointment online.

Schedule an Appointment

Passport cover and passport photo on desk.

Alert: As a temporary measure due to COVID-19, please use our online scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk to make an appointment for first-time passport and photo services to ensure the safety of our employees and customers.

First-time applicants and people who aren't allowed to get a new passport by mail.

Apply at a Post Office

Expedited Delivery

Most people renewing a passport should mail their application directly to the State Department.

Renew by Mail

Expedited Delivery

Passports for children under 16 have special requirements. Make sure you are prepared.

Learn More

If you've never had a U.S. passport, are 16 or under, or aren't allowed to renew an existing passport by mail, you need to apply for a new passport in person at the Post Office.

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Generally, you should apply for your new passport as soon as you know you'll be traveling internationally—at least several months in advance. Passport processing times may vary, so be sure to check the latest State Department service estimates. First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who need a new passport but may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U.S. State Department website explains what you'll need to bring with you.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need.

Complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport on the State Department website.
Print your completed application.
DO NOT SIGN YOUR APPLICATION. A Postal employee must witness your signature.
Have a passport photo taken.
Photocopy your proof of identity and U.S. Citizenship documents.
Calculate your fees.
- Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees.
- State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier's, traveler's check, or money order, payable to "U.S. Department of State."

Get Started on Your Application

Post Offices that offer passport services have set hours, and you'll need to schedule an appointment using the online Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk.

Scheduling Online

Go to Schedule an Appointment.
Choose the passport service you need, along with the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
You can search for appointment by location or date first. If you search by location first, you'll then be asked to choose a date and time; if you search by date first, you'll then need to choose a location and time.
After you choose your appointment location and time, provide your contact information, and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Click Review Appointment, then confirm your appointment.

If you need to modify or cancel your appointment, click the Manage Appointments tab and enter your confirmation number and email address or phone number.

Using a Self-Service Kiosk

Go to a Post Office location with lobby self-service kiosks. Find USPS Locations
At the self-service kiosk, touch the screen to begin, then select "Other Services," then "Passport Scheduler."
Choose the passport service you need, then enter the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
Search for Post Office locations by ZIP Code™ or City/State and choose a location.
Select an available appointment date and time, then agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Enter your contact information and decide if you'd like to receive SMS text notifications.
Review and confirm your information, then select "Schedule Appointment" to finalize.
Take your printed receipt listing your confirmation number and appointment details.

Post Offices have set hours for passport services. Many require an appointment. Use the Find USPS Locations tool to find the nearest Post Office offering passport services.

First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees: the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra. Learn how to calculate fees and what you can use to pay for them.

Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to "Postmaster," debit card, or credit card.

$35.00 - Post Office acceptance fee
$15.00 - Post Office photo fee (if needed)

State Department payment is sent with your application package. State Department fees are paid separately from USPS fees.

State Department Fees
State Department passport fees vary. Calculate passport fees online.
State Department Payment Methods
NOTE: You may not pay State Department fees with credit or debit cards. You may pay with:
Personal, certified, cashiers, or traveler's check, payable to "U.S. Department of State."
Money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." You may purchase a money order at the Post Office with cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check. You cannot pay with a credit card.

First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra. Learn how to calculate fees and what you can use to pay for them.

Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to "Postmaster," debit card, or credit card.

$35.00 - Post Office acceptance fee
$15.00 - Post Office photo fee (if needed)

State Department payment is sent with your application package. State Department fees are paid separately from USPS fees.

State Department Fees
State Department passport fees vary. Calculate passport fees online.
State Department Payment Methods
NOTE: You may not pay State Department fees with credit or debit cards. You may pay with:
- Personal, certified, cashier's, or traveler's check, payable to "U.S. Department of State."
- Money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." You can buy a money order at the Post Office with cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check. You cannot pay with a credit card.

It may take up to 4 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is "In Process." During these 4 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is scanned and sent to the U.S. Department of State. Check the U.S. Department of State's website (passportstatus.state.gov) for an update. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page "Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19."

A minor's passport may not be renewed by mail; to renew a minor's passport, you need to submit a new, first-time passport application in person. An adult passport may be renewed by mail if it meets certain requirements.

You can renew your adult passport by mail if you answer "Yes" to all 5 of the following statements:

Your passport:

Is in your possession to submit with your application.
Is undamaged other than normal "wear and tear."
Was issued when you were age 16 or older.
Was issued within the last 15 years.
Was issued in your current name or you can document your name change. (Name changes are explained on Change a Passport.)

If your passport does not meet all these requirements, do not mail your renewal application. You must prepare the same application package as a first-time passport applicant.

State Department Renew by Mail

Step 3: Mail Your Renewal Application

Department of State recommends using a USPS delivery tracking service to mail your renewal application.

Choose one of the following services:

USPS Priority Mail^® Service with Delivery Confirmation
USPS Priority Mail^® Service with Signature Confirmation
USPS Priority Mail Express^® Service (for overnight delivery requests)

Compare Delivery Tracking Services

Step 4: Follow Your Application Progress

If you use a USPS delivery tracking service, go to USPS Tracking® to see when your package is delivered.

With a USPS tracking service, you can see when your application arrived using the tracking number on your receipt.
It may take up to 4 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is "In Process." During these 4 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is scanned and sent to the U.S. Department of State. Check the U.S. Department of State's website (passportstatus.state.gov) for an update. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page "Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19."
5-6 weeks after you submitted your application, you can check its processing status on the Department of State website.

USPS Tracking Status

U.S. Passport Application Status

Get a New Passport Faster in Emergencies & Special Cases

If you need your passport faster for emergency travel or another special case, you can send your passport application via Priority Mail Express^® service and pay the State Department fee for faster delivery.

If you need to travel within 72 hours (3 business days) for an immediate family member who is dead, dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury:

Visit the Life-or-Death Emergencies page on travel.state.gov to learn if you are eligible.
The State Department processes these requests by appointment only.
Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel.

If you are traveling in less than 10 weeks, you must call the State Department Passport Agency to schedule an appointment:

You can call 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY) to schedule an appointment.
Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel, and you must provide proof of travel.

Note: An extremely limited number of appointments are available for customers who are traveling internationally in the next 72 hours (3 business days), and other restrictions apply.

Get My Passport Fast

Renew Your Passport Fast

If you pay an additional $60 for expedited service and mail it with Priority Mail Express, you can get your renewed passport within 10 weeks.

Check your eligibility under Renew Your Passport by Mail, Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail.
Prepare your application as listed under Renew a Passport by Mail, Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package.
Add these special fees, both payable to the U.S. Department of State, to your regular processing fees.

$60.00—Expedited application processing at the State Department
$17.56—1- to 2-day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department
Clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.

Ship your application to the State Department by Priority Mail Express. Cost varies by location.

Get My Passport Fast

Passport applications for children under 16 have special requirements.

Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of a child's passport. The best way to give consent is for both parents/guardians to go with the child when applying.
Children need evidence of citizenship.
Parents/guardians need proof of parental relationship.
NOTE: Children's passports are only valid for 5 years.

Apply for a Minor's Passport