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

Last Verified: September 29, 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 fees. First-time adult DS-11 applicants currently pay a $130 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee for a passport book, or a $30 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee for a passport card. Expedited processing adds $60 per application. See the full fee chart for renewals, minors, book-and-card applications, optional services, and payment methods.
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 Application Form

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.
• Blank PDF or paper form: If you complete it by hand, use black ink and write legibly.
• State Department Form Filler: Print single-sided on 8.5 x 11 inch letter-size paper in portrait orientation, with the application filling the entire page. Only your original signature and date may be handwritten after printing.
• 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 and dated 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 must submit Form DS-11 in person, find an authorized passport acceptance facility and check that location's appointment policy. Many facilities require appointments, while some accept walk-ins or offer special passport acceptance events.

Need a passport fast? If you have not yet applied and you are traveling internationally within 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days, you may qualify for an appointment at a regional passport agency or center. Do not rely on standard acceptance-facility processing if your trip is that close.

If you already submitted an application and your travel is now within 14 days, do not automatically file a second application. Follow the already-applied urgent process; the State Department may try to speed up the existing application or arrange an agency appointment if necessary.

A private passport courier may help with document review and permitted submission logistics for eligible urgent applications. Couriers charge separate service fees, cannot replace a required DS-11 in-person appearance, and do not make the State Department issue a passport faster than a direct passport agency appointment.

Note: If you are renewing a passport or requesting a correction, you may be able to apply online or by mail instead of making an appointment.

Gather 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.

Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.

Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide is an independent passport information resource. We explain official passport application, renewal, and agency appointment requirements first, then compare private courier options when they may help with urgent logistics.