Get or renew a US passport
First-time adults apply in person with Form DS-11; eligible adults can renew by mail or online.
Cost: Adult book: $130 + $35 acceptance fee (first time); renewal: $130 (reference)
What you need
- Form DS-11, printed single-sided and not signed until the agent asks
- Evidence of US citizenship (e.g., US birth certificate) plus a photocopy
- A physical photo ID plus a photocopy of front and back
- One passport photo
- Application fee and acceptance fee
Step by step
- Fill out Form DS-11 with the Form Filler and print it
- Gather your citizenship evidence and photo ID, with photocopies on letter paper
- Get a 2 × 2 in passport photo
- Apply at a passport acceptance facility and pay the fees
- To renew online instead, check eligibility and apply at opr.travel.state.gov
Where to apply
Apply in person (DS-11) · travel.state.gov
Passport fees · travel.state.gov
The app helps with
US passport photo 2 × 2 in
Photo for online passport renewal
Photo ID front and back (passport DS-11)
Tips to get it right the first time
- You can renew online if your passport was valid for 10 years, you are 25 or older, you aren't changing your name and won't travel for 6 weeks.
- Digital or mobile birth certificates are not accepted: bring the physical document.
- Beware of unofficial renewal sites that charge extra fees.
Save the checklist in the app and tick items off as you gather them.
Reviewed on October 19, 2026 · source: travel.state.gov. Requirements and costs are for reference and may change without notice: confirm them with the official source before you go. We are not affiliated with any institution.