U.S. Passport Requirements 2026 | Forms, Documents, Fees & How to Apply

Last Verified: March 30, 2026 | Fact-checked by U.S. Passport Service Guide Staff

U.S. Passport Requirements Checklist (2026)

1. Provide proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport.
2. Show valid photo identification, typically a driver's license or other accepted ID.
3. Use the correct application form: DS-11 for first-time applicants and those who cannot renew, or DS-82 for eligible renewals.
4. Include one compliant 2×2-inch passport photo that meets official requirements.
5. Pay the required fee (for example, $165 for an adult passport book, $30 for a card; add $60 for expedited service) - see the full fee chart.
6. Submit your application the correct way: first-time applicants and children under 16 must apply in person; eligible renewals may qualify to renew online or by mail.
7. Applicants ages 16 and 17 follow their own rules: they usually apply in person on DS-11 and must show that a parent or legal guardian knows about the application.
8. Need your passport quickly? Expedited processing, agency appointments, and courier services have different timelines and limitations depending on your travel date.

Confirming Your Passport Eligibility

Before you start your passport application, verify that you meet the necessary passport qualifications. Most applicants qualify as U.S. citizens. Some applicants qualify as U.S. non-citizen nationals.

U.S. Citizenship or Non-Citizen National Status

Who Can Get a U.S. Passport?

Most applicants are U.S. citizens who were born in the United States, naturalized later in life, or were born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) and have qualifying documentation.

What Is a Non-Citizen National?

Non-citizen national status is less common. It generally applies to people born in American Samoa or Swains Island. These applicants can still apply for a U.S. passport, but they may need different supporting evidence.

Already Have a Passport?

If you already have a U.S. passport, you may qualify to renew it instead of applying as a first-time applicant. Eligible adults can now renew online for routine service or renew by mail if they meet the requirements. Review our U.S. passport renewal guide to confirm which path applies.

Remember: once you confirm that you qualify for a U.S. passport, the next step is choosing the correct form and collecting the right documents.

Required Supporting Documents

When reviewing the U.S. passport application requirements, 2026 applicants must first determine the correct form for their situation. The correct form depends on whether you are applying for the first time, renewing, applying for a child, or correcting or replacing a passport.

Choosing the Right Passport Application Form

• New passport or not eligible to renew: To meet the standard new passport requirements, use Form DS-11. This applies to first-time applicants, children under 16, most applicants age 16 or 17 getting a first adult passport, and adults who cannot renew because their previous passport was lost, stolen, damaged, issued more than 15 years ago, or issued when they were under 16.
• Renewals: Eligible applicants generally use Form DS-82 to renew. Most first-time adult applicants age 16 and older use Form DS-11 instead, and applicants ages 16 and 17 follow their own in-person rules. Depending on eligibility, renewal may be completed online for routine service or by mail.
• Minors under 16: Parents applying for children under 16 also use Form DS-11 and must follow special rules, including parental consent requirements and extra documentation.

Filling Out the Form Correctly

• Read carefully: Read each question before answering so you do not create an avoidable delay.
• Use black ink: If you are completing a paper form by hand, use black ink so the information is clear and easy to read.
• Check your work: Review the form before submitting it to make sure all required fields are complete and accurate.
• Do not sign DS-11 early: Form DS-11 must usually be signed in front of the passport acceptance agent or passport agency employee who accepts your application.

Choosing the right form and completing it carefully can help you avoid delays.

Make a Passport Appointment

If you need to submit your application in person, as first-time applicants, children under 16, and many applicants age 16 or 17 do, you will usually need an appointment at a passport acceptance facility.

Visit our guide on how to schedule your USPS passport appointment online for a step-by-step walkthrough.

If you need a passport fast, one urgent path is a regional passport agency appointment. These regional passport agencies serve customers by appointment only who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or who need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days. If you fall into one of those timelines, do not rely on standard mail-in or acceptance-facility processing unless the State Department specifically tells you to do so.

Many travelers choose to work with a registered passport expediter for expert help managing the application process. These private courier services can help review paperwork, reduce the chance of preventable errors, and handle the submission process for you. Although they charge additional fees, the service can still make financial sense for applicants who want to avoid the lost time, travel expenses, and logistical hassles of securing and attending a regional passport agency appointment on their own.

Note: If you are renewing a passport or applying for a passport correction, you may be able to renew online, renew by mail, or submit a correction by mail, depending on your situation. Expediting services may also be available for some of these cases if you want professional help navigating the process.

Gather the Correct Supporting Documents

Gathering the correct documents is one of the most critical requirements for a passport. These documents prove who you are and confirm your eligibility for a U.S. passport.

Here is a rundown of the documents needed for a U.S. passport application, plus a few special cases.

Commonly Required Documents

• Proof of U.S. citizenship: This could be a birth certificate for people born in the U.S., a naturalization certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, or a previous qualifying passport. For more, view our up-to-date guide about what counts as proof of citizenship.
• Photo identification: A valid driver's license, state ID, military ID, or another accepted document can serve as photo identification. For more, view the current guidance about what counts as proof of identity.
• Passport photo: You will need a recent photo that meets the strict passport photo requirements.
• Application form: Use the correct completed application form for your situation, as discussed above.

Special Considerations

• Children under 16: Applications for children under 16 require parental consent and additional documentation, including evidence of the child's citizenship, relationship to the parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent identification. Visit our comprehensive guide to getting a child's passport for the full list.
• Applicants ages 16 and 17: These applicants generally apply in person on DS-11 for a first adult passport, but the two-parent consent rule does not apply. Instead, they must show that one parent or legal guardian is aware of the application. For the exact consent forms and rules, read our complete guide to getting a passport for 16 and 17-year-olds.
• Name changes: If you have changed your name since your last passport was issued, you will need documents that prove the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Follow the steps in our passport name change guide for details.
• Non-citizen nationals: If you are a non-citizen national, you may need additional or different evidence to prove your status. Review the State Department's Certificates of Non-Citizen Nationality guidance.

By collecting the right documents before you apply, you can reduce the risk of delays.

Pay the Correct Passport Fees

Paying for your passport is an important step in the application process. Fees vary depending on what you are applying for and whether you add expedited service or other optional services.

For up-to-date fees and costs, visit our complete passport fee breakdown page.

Understanding Passport Fees

Different types of passport fees apply depending on the type of application you are submitting and how fast you need your passport.

• Standard fees: These are the basic government fees for a passport book, passport card, or both. They also vary for adults and children.
• Expedited service fee: If you need your passport faster, you can add expedited service for an extra fee. Expedited processing currently takes 2 to 3 weeks.
• Optional service fees: Other charges may apply for optional services like faster return delivery of your completed passport or a file search when citizenship evidence is missing.

Payment Methods

Payment methods depend on how and where you apply. For example, online renewal uses a credit or debit card, while mail-in renewal is paid by check or money order. Acceptance facilities may accept different payment methods for the execution fee, so confirm the rules before your appointment.

Cost-Effective Planning Tips

• Apply early: Avoid expediting fees when possible by applying well before your travel date. Routine processing currently takes 4 to 6 weeks.
• Choose what you need: Think about whether you need a passport book, a passport card, or both. The passport card costs less, but it is only valid for certain land and sea travel from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It cannot be used for international air travel.
• Budget for optional services: Return delivery, file searches, and other add-ons can increase the total cost of your application.

Understanding the fee structure in advance can help you avoid last-minute surprises.

Need a Passport Fast?

If you are traveling soon, the right path depends on your departure date. Routine and standard expedited processing times do not include mailing time, so total turnaround can be longer than the official posted processing window.

If you are traveling sooner than in the next 14 calendar days (or in the next 28 calendar days if you need a visa), applying at a standard acceptance facility is generally not recommended. Instead, you will need to secure an appointment at a regional passport agency or use a registered passport courier company.

Because regional agency appointments are limited and may require time off work, transportation, meals, and last-minute travel costs, many applicants choose professional passport expediting services for convenience and hands-on help. Registered couriers can help manage the submission process, reduce the risk of preventable paperwork errors, and potentially save time and out-of-pocket costs compared to attending a regional agency yourself. They do charge additional fees, and they do not make your passport process faster than applying directly at a passport agency, but many travelers still find the service worthwhile for the logistical support.

To learn how these services can save your trip, read our complete passport expediter guide or browse our directory of top passport expediting services to get started right away.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers