how to Apply for USA passport online
Apply USA Passport Online
Apply for USA passport , can be straightforward when you know which process applies to you. One important point: a first-time adult passport application is not completed entirely online. You can fill out the application online and print it, but you generally must submit it in person at an authorized acceptance facility. Eligible adults renewing a passport may be able to complete the renewal process online. Buy USA passport online .
Apply for adults passport | Apply for USA passport
First, determine whether you are:
- Applying for your first adult passport
- Applying for a child’s passport
- Renewing an existing adult passport
- Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport
- Applying because your previous passport is too old to qualify for renewal
First-time adult applicants and adults who do not qualify for renewal normally use Form DS-11 and apply in person. Eligible U.S. citizens may renew online for routine service.
2. Complete the Passport Form
For a new adult passport, use the State Department’s online Form Filler to enter your information. The form can help reduce mistakes before you print it. How to apply for passport in online .
You will generally provide information such as:
- Full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number
- Address and contact information
- Parents’ information
- Previous passport information, if applicable
- Emergency contact information
After completing the form, print it single-sided on 8.5 × 11-inch paper. Do not print it double-sided. For Form DS-11, do not sign it until the passport acceptance agent instructs you to do so.
3. Gather Your Required Documents
For a first-time adult application, you normally need proof of U.S. citizenship, such as:
- U.S. birth certificate
- Previously issued full-validity U.S. passport
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
You generally need the original citizenship evidence plus a photocopy. Digital versions of citizenship documents, such as an electronic birth certificate, are not accepted for this process.
You also need acceptable physical photo identification, such as a valid driver’s license or another government-issued photo ID, plus a photocopy.
4. Prepare Your Passport Photo
Your passport photo is an important part of the application. For an application using a paper form, the State Department requires a recent color photograph that meets its specifications.
The standard printed photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The photo should have a plain white or off-white background, show your face directly toward the camera, and have a neutral expression. It should also be unedited—don’t use filters or AI modifications.
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Fees depend on the passport service you need. For example, the current State Department fee table lists an adult DS-11 application for a passport book at $130, plus a $35 acceptance fee. A passport card or book-and-card combination has different fees.
Because fees can change, check the official fee calculator immediately before submitting your application.
6. Submit Your Application
If you’re applying for a new adult passport with DS-11, take your completed application, citizenship evidence, identification, photocopies, passport photo, and payment to an authorized passport acceptance facility.
Acceptance facilities can include post offices, libraries, clerks of court, and local government offices.
At the appointment, the passport agent verifies your documents, administers the required oath, and has you sign the application.
7. Want Your Passport Faster?
Routine processing is not instant. The State Department currently lists 4–6 weeks for processing, in addition to mailing time of up to approximately two weeks each way. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
If you have international travel coming up very soon, different procedures apply. Passport agencies and centers handle urgent cases, including travelers with international travel within 14 calendar days, and appointments are required.
8. Track Your Application
After submitting your application, you can monitor its progress online. The State Department’s status system can show whether your application is being processed, approved, or mailed.
