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U.S. Passport Applications - Discover Which Form You Need to Apply for United States Passport Services

US passport application which form do you need.

Which US passport applications do I need?

The United States passport application form you submit will depend on the type of service you need, whether that be a new passport, passport renewal or something else. If you are unsure which passport service you need, visit our Passport Information page.

Instructions for completing each form are available on our website . They are also included with each passport application. It is very important that you follow the instructions carefully. An error or an illegible form can lead to delays in the getting your passport on time.

Routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks while expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks. Applicants who require emergency service for urgent travel need to either schedule an appointment at the nearest regional processing center or request the assistance of an authorized passport expediting service.

You can download the passport applications you need below. The forms are available in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and print each form. If you need a PDF reader, you can click the link to download a free version of Adobe Reader.

Table of Contents

Form DS-11: Application for a New Passport

Application for a New Passport Form DS-11

Form DS-11 should be submitted when applying for a first-time passport. It is also used to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport or renew a passport that was issued to a minor age 15 or younger. The applicant must appear in person to submit the form and should only sign the application when requested to do so by the acceptance agent.

Form DS-11: New US Passport Application - PDF download and completion guide

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Form DS-82: Application for Passport Renewal

Application for a Passport Renewal Form DS-82

Form DS-82 is used when renewing a passport that was issued to an applicant age 16 or older. This form can be used at any time during the validity of the passport or up to five years after the expiration of the passport. It is only necessary to apply in person with Form DS-82 if you are submitting the application for expedited service at a regional agency.

Download Form DS-82: Application for Passport Renewal

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Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent for Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16

Statement of Consent for Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16

This form should be submitted, along with the DS-11 Application for Passport, as evidence of parental consent to get a passport for a minor age 15 or younger. There is a section on the form for special circumstances when obtaining consent is not possible. A Passport Agent will determine the acceptability of a special circumstance.

Download Child Passport Consentment or Special Circumstances, Form DS-3053.

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Form DS-5504: Application for a US Passport Name Change, Data Correction or Replacement of Limited Validity Passport

Application for a US Passport Name Change, Data Correction or Replacement of Limited Validity Passport Form DS-5504

American citizens need to use this form when requesting a name change, data correction or replacement passport within one year of the date of issuance of the travel document. While correction of errors committed by Passport Services can be requested at any time, those wishing to get a name change or replace a temporary passport more than one year after the issuance date must apply for a renewal using Form DS-82.

Download Form DS-5504: Application for a Passport Name Change.

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Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances

Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances

This form is used when one parent or guardian is absent and cannot be located. The applying parent must submit Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances. The statement must explain in detail the non-applying parent's or guardian's unavailability and recent efforts made to contact the non-applying parent. The applying parent also may be required to provide evidence (e.g., custody order, incarceration order, restraining order) to document his/her claim of exigent or special circumstances.

Download Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances.

Form DS-64: Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport

Report Lost or Stolen Passport Application

This United States passport application should be submitted along with the DS-11 New Passport Application form and brought with you when you go in person to replace a lost or stolen passport.

Download Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport.

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Form DS-86: Statement of Non-Receipt of U.S. Passport

Form DS-86: Statement of Non-Receipt of U.S. Passport

Submit this form if your new passport does not arrive within a week or so after your application form has been processed. There are many reasons this can happen such as an incorrect mailing address on the application form, change of address after the application was submitted or the passport was "lost" during delivery. For whatever reason, Form DS-86 needs to be lodged within 90 days so that you are not required to pay the fees again.

Download Form DS-86: Statement of Non-Receipt of U.S. Passport.

Form DS-10: Birth Affadavit

Birth Affidavit DS-10 for United States passport application

A birth affidavit should be submitted (with an application for a U.S. passport) when an acceptable birth certificate cannot be obtained for a person born in the United States and must be accompanied by a notice from the appropriate authorities indicating that no birth record exists. It should also be submitted with a birth record that is incomplete.

Download Birth Affidavit Form DS-10.

Passport Application FAQs

Have questions about applying for a U.S. passport? We've collected the questions we hear most often—drawn from two decades of daily conversations with readers of the U.S. Passport Service Guide—and paired them with the latest State Department rules and real-world tips.

This section is organized into categories to help you find answers quickly—from eligibility and documents to photos and mailing procedures. Click a question below to reveal the answer.

Eligibility & Forms

▼ My passport expired more than 15 years ago. Can I renew by mail?
No. If it's been more than 15 years, you start over with Form DS-11 in person and pay first-time fees. For step-by-step help, see our expired-passport guide.
▼ Do I list dual citizenships on DS-11?
Yes—note any other nationality in Question 10 even if you rarely use that passport.
▼ I've never been issued a Social Security Number. What do I enter?
Write 000-00-0000 and attach a signed statement saying you were never issued an SSN.
▼ Is a neat, handwritten DS-11 acceptable?
Allowed, but the online Form Filler is strongly recommended to avoid delays.

Parental & Child Applications

▼ Who signs the application for a child under 16?
Both parents (or guardians) sign DS-11 at the acceptance facility. If one can't appear, use notarized Form DS-3053. See our full child passport checklist.
▼ Does my toddler have to sign?
No. Print the child's name on the line and sign your own next to it (e.g., “Jane Doe, by mother Mary Doe”).

Identity & Citizenship Documents

▼ Can I send a photocopy of my birth certificate?
No. Send an original or certified copy; photocopies alone aren't accepted. Need alternatives? Check our proof-of-identity list.
▼ Do I need my birth certificate if I have my most recent adult passport?
No—the undamaged adult passport counts as full citizenship & ID.
▼ Will a notarized copy of my Certificate of Naturalization work?
No. You must mail the original certificate.
▼ My ID is in my maiden name, but I want the passport in my married name—what now?
Bring your marriage certificate and a second photo ID in your married name so the agent can link the two. For more information, see our Complete Passport Name Change Guide.
▼ My driver's license has my old address. Is that a problem?
Bring a recent utility bill or bank statement that shows your new address along with the ID.

Photo Requirements

▼ Can I use a black-and-white passport photo?
No. Photos must be color with natural skin tones. Review the full passport-photo guidelines.
▼ Can I wear a uniform or camouflage in my passport photo?
No. Uniforms or clothing that looks like a uniform aren't allowed.
▼ Can I keep my religious head covering on for the photo?
Yes—include a signed statement that you wear it daily for religious reasons.
▼ Is a little eye-glare okay?
Glare, shadows, or red-eye can get the photo rejected. Retake with even lighting.
▼ I live abroad—can I submit a 35x45 mm photo instead of 2x2 inches?
No. U.S. passport photos must be exactly 2x2 in (51x51 mm). Visit out full passport photo guide for more passport photo tips and guidelines.
▼ Do my ears have to show?
No—ears showing is no longer required. Just keep the full face visible. Check out What to Wear for a Passport Photo: How to Balance Style and Compliance for how to look your best.
▼ Can I wear small earrings or a nose ring?
Yes, as long as jewelry doesn't cast shadows or hide facial features. Visit out full passport photo guide for more passport photo tips and guidelines.
▼ Can I wear a white shirt against a white background?
Yes, but make sure the shirt contrasts slightly so your face stands out. Check out What to Wear for a Passport Photo: How to Balance Style and Compliance for how to look your best.

Form Completion & Printing

▼ My printer streaked the barcode—do I need to reprint?
Yes. Barcodes must be crisp and readable.
▼ Can I print the form double-sided?
No. Print single-sided only.
▼ Can I cross out a typo and write the correction?
No. Reprint a clean form; no strike-throughs or white-out.
▼ Can I use blue ink?
The State Department requires black ink only.
▼ What if my signature touches the border of the signature box?
That's okay as long as it stays within the box borders.

Payment & Mailing

▼ Why do I need two checks at the post office?
One check to “U.S. Department of State” for the passport fee, one to the facility for the $35 execution fee. See the full passport-fees chart.
▼ What payment methods are accepted for a DS-82 renewal by mail?
Personal/certified check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.” No credit cards by mail. Review the DS-82 renewal instructions.
▼ Can I drop a DS-82 package over 13 oz in a blue box?
No—packages over 13 oz must be handed to a USPS clerk. See our DS-82 guide for all mailing rules.
▼ Can I FedEx documents to a regional agency?
No. Regional agencies accept applications in person or through a registered courier. If you're on a tight deadline, see our passport-expediting services guide.
▼ How do I mail from an APO/FPO address?
Use USPS Priority or Priority Express; UPS/FedEx don't deliver to the State Department P.O. boxes.
▼ Can two family DS-82 renewals go in one envelope?
Yes, if each application has its own payment and they're mailed together in a trackable envelope. See details in our DS-82 guide.
▼ Can my new passport be mailed to a hotel or temporary address?
Yes—use an address where someone you trust can sign. Failed delivery returns to the State Department.

Special Cases & Miscellaneous

▼ How do I request the 52-page large passport book?
Check the “Large Book (Non-Standard)” box—no extra fee.
▼ Will I get a refund if expedited service takes longer than 3 weeks?
Expedited fees are non-refundable unless the State Department misses the window due to its own error—request a refund in writing. Learn more about passport-expediting services.
▼ If processing times change after I apply, does my fee change?
No. Your fee is locked in once the application is accepted.
▼ Do I have to include an email address on the form?
No, but adding one helps the Department contact you quickly if there's a problem.
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About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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