U.S. passport application

DS-11: the in-person U.S. passport application

Form DS-11 is the U.S. passport application you cannot mail or file online. It is for first-time applicants, every child under 16, and anyone whose passport is too old, lost, damaged, or in a former name. The confusing part is knowing whether you need it at all, so start with the finder, then follow the steps.

Written and checked by the QueueCheck editorial team. Last checked July 20, 2026. How we verify information

Which passport form do you need?

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Question 1 of 6

Is this application for a child under 16?

Children under 16 can never renew by mail or online.

The three ways to apply, and which one is yours

Online renewal

The fastest routine path, for eligible adults who already hold a valid passport book that meets the renewal rules. No form to mail.

Form DS-82 by mail

The mail renewal, for adults who meet the renewal rules but are not using or eligible for online renewal. Your old book goes in with the form.

Form DS-11 in person

Everyone else. First passports, children, and any book that cannot be renewed. Submitted in person, signed under oath, never mailed.

The current U.S. passport wait

No official timing update is available for this service yet.

Processing time is measured from when a passport agency receives your application, and mailing time is separate. For urgent travel, ask about expedited service or a passport agency appointment.

Routine passport tracker Urgent and expedited options

How to apply with Form DS-11, step by step

1. Confirm DS-11 is the right form

Use the finder above. DS-11 is for first-time applicants, all children under 16, and anyone whose most recent passport was lost, stolen, damaged, issued before age 16, issued over 15 years ago, or in a former name they cannot document. If you can renew, use the online system or Form DS-82 instead.

2. Fill out the form, but do not sign it

Complete Form DS-11 with the online Form Filler and print it single-sided, or fill it by hand in black ink. Leave the signature blank. You sign in front of the acceptance agent, under oath, and signing early means starting over.

3. Gather proof of citizenship and ID, with photocopies

Bring an original or certified proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate or a prior passport, plus a valid photo ID. Bring a photocopy of each. The citizenship document is usually mailed back separately from your new passport.

4. Get one passport photo

A 2x2 inch color photo taken within the last 6 months, on a plain white background, with no glasses. Many acceptance facilities and pharmacies take them. A rejected photo is one of the most common causes of delay.

5. Find an acceptance facility and check if it needs an appointment

DS-11 must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility, often a post office, library, or court clerk, or at a passport agency for urgent travel. Many facilities require an appointment, so confirm before you go.

6. Apply in person and pay two separate fees

You pay the State Department application fee and a separate acceptance (execution) fee, which usually go to two different places by different payment methods. Check the official fee page for current amounts and how each is paid before you arrive.

7. Track the status and plan around the wait

After a few weeks you can check status online. If your travel is close, ask about expedited service or a passport agency appointment. See the current routine and expedited wait below.

What to bring to the appointment

Completed but unsigned Form DS-11
Original or certified proof of U.S. citizenship (for example a certified birth certificate or prior passport)
A photocopy of that citizenship document
A valid photo ID (for example a driver license)
A photocopy of the front and back of that photo ID
One 2x2 inch passport photo taken within the last 6 months
Payment for the application fee and a separate acceptance fee

Mistakes that slow DS-11 applications down

Signing the form at home

The DS-11 signature is sworn in front of the acceptance agent. Print it, leave the signature line blank, and sign only when told.

Using DS-11 when you could have renewed

If your most recent adult passport was issued in the last 15 years and is undamaged, you can likely renew online or by mail with DS-82, which is faster and needs no appointment. Run the finder first.

Bringing no photocopies

Acceptance facilities require a photocopy of your citizenship document and your photo ID. Missing copies is a frequent reason people are turned away.

A non-compliant photo

Wrong size, glasses, shadows, or an off-white background get rejected and can hold up the whole application. Follow the official photo rules exactly.

Assuming one fee covers everything

There are two charges: the application fee to the State Department and a separate acceptance fee to the facility, often paid by different methods. Bring both.

Questions people actually ask

What is Form DS-11 used for?

It is the application for a U.S. passport that must be submitted in person. It covers first-time applicants, all children under 16, and anyone whose most recent passport was lost, stolen, damaged, issued before age 16, issued more than 15 years ago, or issued in a name they cannot document changing.

What is the difference between DS-11 and DS-82?

DS-82 is the renewal form you can mail in, or replace with online renewal, if your most recent passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and is in your current name. If any of those is not true, you use DS-11 in person instead.

Can I mail Form DS-11 or file it online?

No. DS-11 must be presented in person at a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. Only renewals qualify for mail (DS-82) or the online renewal system.

Do I sign the DS-11 before my appointment?

No. You sign the form in person, under oath, in front of the acceptance agent. Fill everything else in beforehand and leave the signature blank.

How long does a DS-11 passport take?

It follows the standard U.S. passport processing time, shown below and updated from the official State Department figure. Expedited service and passport agency appointments are available for urgent travel, and mailing time is on top of processing time.

Does my child need to be there?

Yes. For applicants under 16, the child must appear in person, and normally both parents or guardians must appear and consent. The child cannot renew by mail or online at any point before turning 16.

Applied already? Help the next traveler

Official numbers cannot show what applicants are really experiencing right now. Share the date you applied and the date your passport arrived on the tracker, and the next person sees a truer picture. Under a minute, dates only, nothing personal.

Share my passport dates

This page is public queue context, not legal advice, and it is not a government service. Rules, fees, and eligibility change; confirm current requirements on the official pages below before you apply, and rely on official notices about your own application over anything here.