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Travel Warning & Consular Information Sheet

How to Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport

How to Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport
*IF . . .*	*Should You Apply In Person?*
You are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time.	*Yes*
Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.	*Yes*
Your previous U.S. passport has expired & was issued more than 15 years ago.	*Yes*
Your previous passport has expired and it was issued when you were under 16.	*Yes*
Your name is changed since your passport was issued and you do not have a legal document formally changing your name.	*Yes*
You are a minor child 14 or older	*Yes*

NOTE:

For All Minors Under Age 14:

Your child need not routinely appear in person.
However, we reserve the right to request that your child appear.
All applications for children under 14 require both parents' or legal guardians' consent.
(See Special Requirements for Children Under Age 14.)

For All Minors Age 14 to 17

Your child MUST appear in person.

For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.

If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child,
present indentification and co-sign the application.

To Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport You MUST:
1. Provide Application for Passport, Form DSP-11	To download an application form, please click here. Or, forms can be obtained from any passport agency or acceptance facility. (Call to check hours of availability.) Many travel agents stock application forms for their clients as well. NOTE: Please do NOT* sign the DSP-11 application form until the Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so.*
2. Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship	*You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one* of the following: Previous U.S. Passport Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state NOTE:** A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth Naturalization Certificate Certificate of Citizenship A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it: Listed the documentation used to create it and Signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, lists an affidavit signed by the parents, or shows early public records. If you do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need: Letter of No Record Issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you. AND as many of the following as possible: baptismal certificate hospital birth certificate census record certificate of circumcision early school record family bible record doctor's record of post-natal care NOTES: These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life. You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DSP-10A, from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of your birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent. NOTE: The following are NOT proof of citizenship Voter registration cards Army discharge papers We have new information on foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens. NOTE: If you travel extensively, you may request a larger, 48-page passport at no additional cost. To do so, please attach a signed request for a 48-page passport to your application. FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14: The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under the age of 14 must list both parents' names. Read more information on the citizenship requirements for minors under the age of 14.
3. Present Proof of Identity	You may prove your identity with any one of these, if you are recognizable: Previous U.S. passport Naturalization Certificate Certificate of Citizenship Current, valid Driver's license Government ID: city, state or federal Military ID: military and dependents NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity. If none of these are available, you will need: Some form of signature ID, and (Ex: Social Security card, credit card, bank card or library card) A person who can vouch for you. He/she must Have known you for at least 2 years, Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, AND Have valid ID. Fill out a Form DSP-71 in front of the passport agent, FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14: Normally, a child under the age of 14 does not need to appear in person. However, passport agents reserve the right to require the appearance of your child. Both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity when they apply for a minor under the age of 14. Read more information on the identity requirements for minors under the age of 14. FOR MINORS 14 to 17: Your child MUST appear in person. For security reasons, parental consent may be requested. If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child, present identification and co-sign the application.
4. Provide Two Passport Photos	Your photographs must be: 2x2 inches in size Identical Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance Color or black and white Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head Taken in normal street attire Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily. Do *not* wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required. Click here for information on acceptable digitized photos. NOTE: Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable
5. Pay the Applicable Fee	Click here to see passport fees. Passport Agencies Accept: Credit Cards - VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Debit Cards (without pin numbers and not ATM cards) Checks, money orders, bank drafts Passport Acceptance Facilities: All accept checks, money orders, bank drafts Most accept exact cash Some accept credit cards Expedite Fee: (See How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry.)
Provide a Social Security Number	If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office.