The documents you need depend on the appointment. A first-time applicant at a passport acceptance facility needs a different set of documents from someone with an urgent appointment at a regional passport agency or center.
Find your situation below and bring the original documents, required photocopies, one passport photo, and payment. Do not rely on copies stored on your phone.
If you are unsure of which path is best for your travel needs, complete the Passport Path Finder on our homepage.
Use this for qualifying urgent international travel within 14 days (or 28 days if a visa is required). Bring your appointment confirmation and printed proof of travel along with the documents required for your application form. A reputable passport expediting service can make and attend these appointments on your behalf.
Use this for a first passport, a child passport, or a replacement when you cannot renew. Many post offices, libraries, and local government offices accept applications. Check how to find and schedule a passport appointment.
Most eligible adults renew online or by mail and do not need an appointment. In-person renewal service is generally for urgent travel or applicants who must use Form DS-11.
Table of Contents
- First-Time Adult Passport Appointment
- Urgent Passport Agency Appointment
- Passport Renewal Appointment
- Lost or Stolen Passport Appointment
- Damaged Passport Appointment
- Child Passport Appointment Under Age 16
- Passport Appointment for Ages 16 and 17
- Passport Appointment FAQs
What to Bring to a First-Time Adult Passport Appointment
First-time adult applicants and adults who cannot renew must apply in person using Form DS-11.
- A completed Form DS-11. Fill it out before the appointment, but do not sign it until the acceptance agent tells you to sign.
- Original or certified proof of U.S. citizenship. A certified birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or qualifying previous U.S. passport may be accepted.
- A clear, single-sided photocopy of the citizenship evidence on white 8.5-by-11-inch paper. Copy the back if it contains information.
- A valid driver’s license or another accepted form of physical photo identification. A mobile or digital ID is not accepted.
- A photocopy of the front and back of the ID. See the passport photocopy requirements before making your copies.
- One recent color passport photo, unless the facility confirms that it provides photo service.
- The passport application fee and separate acceptance fee. Check current passport fees and confirm which payment methods the facility accepts.
- Any other documents required for your case, such as legal name-change evidence or a second form of identification.
For the full application process, see How to Get a New Passport.
What to Bring to an Urgent Passport Agency Appointment
Passport agencies and centers handle qualifying urgent international travel. Review the regional passport agency process before the appointment. The form you bring depends on whether you are applying for a new passport or renewing one.
- Your printed appointment confirmation.
- Printed proof of international travel, such as a flight receipt or itinerary. For land or sea travel, bring the applicable reservations, tickets, or insurance documents.
- Form DS-11 if you are applying for a new passport or cannot renew, or Form DS-82 if you qualify to renew.
- The supporting documents required for that form, including any citizenship evidence, identification, photocopies, current passport, name-change documents, or documents for a child applicant.
- One passport photo.
- The application fee and expedited-service fee. Check the current fees and accepted payment methods before the visit.
Agency appointments are limited and may require long-distance travel. Review the urgent passport process before applying. If you qualify and cannot manage the agency submission yourself, a private passport courier may be worth considering.
What to Bring to a Passport Renewal Appointment
Most eligible adults do not need a routine renewal appointment. They can renew online or renew by mail. A routine post-office appointment is not used to review Form DS-82.
Urgent renewal at a passport agency
Bring the following if you qualify to use Form DS-82 but need urgent service at a passport agency:
- Your printed appointment confirmation.
- Printed proof of international travel.
- A completed and signed Form DS-82.
- Your most recent U.S. passport.
- One passport photo.
- Legal name-change documentation, when applicable.
- The application fee and expedited-service fee.
When your passport does not qualify for renewal
Use Form DS-11 if your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago, was issued when you were under age 16, is lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, or otherwise does not meet the renewal rules. In that case, use the first-time adult checklist.
What to Bring to Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport
A lost or stolen passport cannot be renewed. Report it missing and apply in person for a replacement.
- A completed but unsigned Form DS-11.
- Details about where and when the passport was lost or stolen. You may also report it using Form DS-64.
- A copy of the police report, if you filed one.
- Original or certified citizenship evidence and a photocopy.
- Physical photo ID and a photocopy of the front and back.
- One new passport photo.
- The new-passport and acceptance fees.
Use the lost passport guide or the separate stolen passport replacement guide for complete instructions.
What to Bring to Replace a Damaged Passport
A significantly damaged passport does not qualify for renewal. Apply in person and bring:
- A completed but unsigned Form DS-11.
- The damaged passport.
- A signed statement explaining how the damage occurred.
- Original or certified citizenship evidence and a photocopy, if required.
- Physical photo ID and a photocopy.
- One new passport photo.
- The required fees.
A small bend or folded page may be treated as normal wear. Water damage, mold, major tears, missing pages, or unofficial markings generally require replacement. See How to Replace a Damaged Passport.
What to Bring to a Child Passport Appointment Under Age 16
Children under age 16 cannot renew a passport. The child must appear in person, and both parents or guardians generally must attend and consent.
- A completed but unsigned Form DS-11.
- The child, including an infant.
- Original or certified evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship and a photocopy.
- Proof of the parents’ or guardians’ relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate that lists the parents.
- Physical photo IDs for the parents or guardians and photocopies of the front and back.
- One passport photo of the child.
- The child passport application fee and acceptance fee.
- A completed and notarized Form DS-3053 and the required ID copy if one parent or guardian cannot attend. Some cases require custody orders or other documents instead.
Review the complete child passport guide before the appointment because the consent documents depend on the family situation.
What to Bring to a Passport Appointment for Ages 16 and 17
Applicants age 16 or 17 generally apply in person with Form DS-11 and must show that a parent or legal guardian is aware of the application.
- A completed but unsigned Form DS-11.
- Original or certified citizenship evidence and a photocopy.
- The applicant’s physical photo ID and a photocopy.
- One passport photo.
- Evidence of parental awareness.
- The required fees.
See the full requirements for a passport for a 16- or 17-year-old.
Before leaving home
Confirm the facility address, appointment time, photo service availability, and accepted payment methods. Keep originals and photocopies in separate folders, and do not sign Form DS-11 before the agent tells you to sign.
Passport Appointment FAQs
No. Complete Form DS-11 before the appointment, but wait to sign it until the passport acceptance agent tells you to do so.
Yes. Form DS-11 applicants generally need a photocopy of their citizenship evidence and a photocopy of the front and back of each photo ID. Use clear, single-sided copies on white 8.5-by-11-inch paper. See the passport photocopy requirements for details.
Usually not. Eligible adults normally renew online or mail Form DS-82 directly to the State Department. Post-office acceptance appointments are for Form DS-11 applicants, including first-time applicants, children, and adults who cannot renew.
Bring printed proof of international travel, such as a flight receipt or itinerary. For land or sea travel, the agency may accept hotel reservations, cruise or bus tickets, or international automobile insurance.
Yes. All child applicants must appear in person. For a child under age 16, both parents or guardians generally must appear or provide the required consent or custody documents.
Note: Our role is to help you identify the correct application path and arrive with the documents your appointment requires. The passport acceptance agent or State Department passport agency makes the final decision about whether your evidence is acceptable.
