Any U.S. citizen, including long-term residents, can get a passport by proving their citizenship and identity. The process is standardized nationwide, but specific steps vary depending on whether you were born in the United States, naturalized, or are a permanent resident seeking citizenship.
Eligibility Requirements for U.S. Citizens
To secure a U.S. passport, you must demonstrate you are a citizen by birth or naturalization. If you were born in the United States, a birth certificate from a vital records office is usually sufficient. Naturalized citizens must submit their Certificate of Naturalization, while applicants born abroad to American parents need Consular Report of Birth Abroad documentation.
Applying for Your First Adult Passport
First-time adult applicants must appear in person to submit their application, regardless of renewal history. You will need your most undamaged U.S. passport, if available, along with one color photograph taken within the last six months. Acceptable identification includes a valid driver’s license or state ID, and the application form DS-11 must be completed but not signed until instructed during the submission process.
Passport Fees and Processing Times
Budgeting is a critical part of the application, as fees cover both application processing and execution. Check or money orders should be payable to U.S. Department of State, with separate payments for the application fee and the execution fee if applying in person. Standard processing typically takes eight to eleven weeks, but expedited services are available for an additional charge if you need your document sooner for travel.
Renewing an Existing Passport
If your current passport is undamaged, issued within the last fifteen years, and in your name, you may be eligible to mail it in for renewal. Form DS-82 allows eligible citizens to submit their request without appearing in person, provided the submission follows specific rules regarding photographs and name changes. This method is often faster and less expensive than applying for the first time as an adult.
Special Circumstances and Name Changes
Lost or Stolen Documents
Losing a passport immediately before travel is stressful, but reporting the loss protects your identity and speeds up replacement. You must contact the nearest passport agency or center to declare the document lost, and then apply for a new one using form DS-11. Lawful permanent residents renewing by mail must include their green card, while name changes require legal documentation to align previous records with the new application.
International Travel Considerations
Passport validity rules differ by destination, so check entry requirements well before booking flights. Many countries ask that the document remain valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from the foreign country. Carrying a color photocopy or using a passport card can simplify re-entry procedures when traveling by land or sea to neighboring regions.
Where to Submit Your Application
You can visit a passport acceptance facility, such as a post office, library, or clerk of court office, to submit forms and photographs. For urgent needs, schedule an appointment at an agency center to speak directly with an agent and pay additional fees for rapid processing. Keep all receipts and tracking numbers to monitor the status of your request until you receive the official document by mail.
