Fill Form DS-11 online
Application for a U.S. Passport
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Form DS-11 in short
Form DS-11 is the application for a U.S. passport book, passport card, or both when you must apply in person. Use it for a first passport, for any child under 16, or when you cannot renew. You fill it out ahead of time but do not sign it until the acceptance agent asks you to.
| Issued by | U.S. Department of State |
|---|---|
| Current version | DS-11 04-2025 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | U.S. citizens and non-citizen U.S. nationals who must apply in person: first-time applicants, all children under 16, and people whose most recent passport was issued under age 16, issued more than 15 years ago, or was lost, stolen, or damaged. |
| Who receives it | A passport acceptance facility (such as a post office, library, or local government office), a passport agency or center by appointment, or a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The application is then sent to the U.S. Department of State. |
| Where to send it | You do not mail it yourself. Bring the unsigned form, documents, photo, and payment to an acceptance facility in person. If you travel internationally in less than 3 weeks, the State Department says to make an appointment at a passport agency or center within 14 days of travel. Abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. |
| Deadline | No fixed deadline. State lists routine processing as 4 to 6 weeks and expedited as 2 to 3 weeks, not counting mailing time. |
| Fee | Checked 2026-10-25 on travel.state.gov. Age 16 and older: book $130, card $30, book and card $160. Under 16: book $100, card $15, book and card $115. Plus a $35 acceptance fee paid to the facility. Optional: $60 expedited service and $26.87 for 1 to 3 day return delivery. Application fee is paid by check or money order to 'U.S. Department of State'. |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF |
What changed
Current edition is 04-2025 (OMB expiration 06/30/2028). Item 3 on this edition asks you to select M or F matching biological sex at birth.
How to fill out Form DS-11, line by line
| Top of page 1 | Book, card, or both Choose a passport book, a passport card, or both. The card is not valid for international air travel. You can also ask for a large book with more visa pages. |
| Item 1 | Name The name to print in the passport. It should match your proof of citizenship and ID. |
| Items 2 to 4 | Date of birth, sex, place of birth Use MM/DD/YYYY. For place of birth, give city and state if born in the U.S., or city and country as presently known. |
| Item 5 | Social Security number Required if you have one. If you never got one, enter zeros and attach the signed statement worded as the instructions describe. |
| Items 6 to 8 | A-Number, email, mailing address A-Number only if you have one. For a child, write 'In Care Of' the parent on the address line. |
| Page 1 | Phone and other names used Your primary phone, and other legal names such as birth or maiden names. Attach a page if you need more space. |
| Page 1 bottom | Signature block Leave it blank. Sign only when the acceptance agent asks you to, after giving the oath. |
| Page 2 | Parents, spouse, and personal details Parents' names, dates and places of birth, and citizenship; marriage details; height, hair and eye color; occupation and employer; permanent address. |
| Page 2 | Emergency contact and travel plans Someone not traveling with you, plus departure and return dates and countries if known. |
| Page 2 | Most recent passport If you had a passport, give the name on it, the date, and its status. If it was lost or stolen, explain where and when and include a police report copy if you have one. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing the form before the appointment. The form says not to sign until the authorized agent asks you to.
- Printing the form double-sided. The State Department does not accept double-sided forms. Print single-sided on 8.5 by 11 inch paper, in portrait.
- Correcting errors with white-out. The form says to fill out a new form if you make a mistake.
- Stapling the photo yourself. The acceptance agent reviews and attaches the photo.
- Bringing only a photocopy of the birth certificate or only the original. You need the original or certified copy plus a single-sided photocopy, and a front and back photocopy of your photo ID.
- Bringing a digital or mobile birth certificate. State says it only accepts physical evidence of citizenship.
- Paying the $35 acceptance fee in the same check as the application fee. The acceptance fee is paid separately to the facility.
- Using DS-11 when you could renew by mail or online, which costs more time and the extra $35 fee.
Questions about Form DS-11
Do I have to apply for DS-11 in person?
Yes. The form is only accepted in person at an acceptance facility, a passport agency by appointment, or a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
When do I sign Form DS-11?
Only when the acceptance agent tells you to. The agent gives you an oath and watches you sign.
Can I print DS-11 double-sided?
No. State says to print it single-sided on 8.5 by 11 inch paper and that it does not accept double-sided forms.
How much does a first passport cost?
For an adult book it is a $130 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee. A card is $30 plus $35, and both are $160 plus $35. Child fees are lower.
Do both parents need to come for a child under 16?
Both parents or guardians should appear. If only one can come, bring the other parent's notarized consent (for example Form DS-3053) or proof of sole authority, as listed in the instructions.
Can I fill out DS-11 online?
You can fill it in with the State Department's Form Filler at pptform.state.gov and print it, but you still have to submit it in person.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.