Acceptance Agent Appointment Overview with Instructions

A Passport Acceptance Agent plays an important role in applications submitted using Form DS-11.

The Acceptance Agent does not approve or issue your passport. The Agent verifies your identity and documents, witnesses the required signature, executes the application, and prepares the application package for submission to the U.S. Department of State.

For 48HourPassport.com customers using expedited Courier submission, the Acceptance Agent prepares the Sealed Government Envelope that will be sent to the Courier.

Who Needs an Acceptance Agent Appointment?

An Acceptance Agent appointment is generally required when applying with Form DS-11.

This includes many applicants who are:

  • Applying for their first U.S. passport
  • Applying for a child under age 16
  • Applying at age 16 or 17
  • Replacing a lost or stolen valid passport
  • Replacing a significantly damaged passport
  • Unable to qualify for renewal using Form DS-82

Applicants who qualify to renew using Form DS-82 normally do not need an Acceptance Agent appointment.

Where Are Passport Acceptance Agents Located?

Authorized Passport Acceptance Facilities can be located at:

  • U.S. Post Offices
  • Clerks of Court
  • Public libraries
  • Municipal or county offices
  • Other authorized government facilities

Not every location offers the same hours or appointment availability.

Check the facility before traveling there.

Schedule Your Appointment

Many Acceptance Facilities require an appointment.

U.S. Postal Service passport appointments can be scheduled through:

USPS Passport Appointment Scheduler
https://tools.usps.com/rcas.htm

Other Acceptance Facilities may use their own appointment systems or accept walk-ins.

Confirm the location, hours, appointment requirements, and accepted payment methods before you go.

Complete Form DS-11 Before the Appointment

Complete Form DS-11 using the U.S. Department of State online Form Filler.

Download and print the completed form with the large machine-readable barcode.

Print the application:

  • Single-sided
  • On standard 8½ × 11-inch white paper
  • At full size

Do not sign Form DS-11 before the appointment.

The Acceptance Agent must witness the required signature.

Bring Your Original Citizenship Evidence

Bring the original or certified citizenship evidence required for your application.

Depending on your situation, this may include:

  • Certified U.S. birth certificate
  • Previously issued U.S. passport
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Do not rely on a digital image of your citizenship document.

Bring Valid Identification

Bring acceptable physical government-issued photo identification.

A driver’s license or state identification card is commonly used.

Additional identification may be required in some circumstances.

Bring One Passport Photo

Bring one current passport photograph meeting U.S. Department of State requirements.

The photograph should:

  • Measure 2 × 2 inches
  • Have been taken within the last six months
  • Show your current appearance
  • Have a white or off-white background
  • Meet all current State Department passport-photo standards

Some Acceptance Facilities offer passport-photo services. Others do not.

Check before your appointment.

Bring the Correct Government Payment

Form DS-11 applicants make separate payments.

One payment is made to the:

U.S. Department of State

The second is the $35 Acceptance Facility fee, which is paid directly to the Acceptance Facility.

Payment methods accepted for the $35 fee vary by location.

Follow your 48HourPassport.com instructions for the correct Department of State payment amount for your passport application.

Bring Proof of International Departure

For urgent Passport Agency processing, bring acceptable proof of international travel.

Travel must normally be within two weeks.

If your destination requires you to obtain a foreign visa before travel, qualifying travel may be within four weeks.

Your itinerary should clearly identify the traveler and international departure.

Bring the Legal Passport Letter of Authorization

48HourPassport.com customers using Courier submission must bring the completed:

Legal Passport Letter of Authorization (LOA)

Follow the instructions supplied with your current order.

The LOA authorizes the Courier to handle the passport application through the expedited submission process.

Additional Documents for Special Situations

Depending on your application, you may also need documents involving:

  • Parental consent
  • Custody
  • Guardianship
  • Adoption
  • Legal name change
  • Lost or stolen passport
  • Previous passport history
  • Other special circumstances

Follow the instructions for your particular passport application.

What Happens at the Acceptance Agent Appointment?

The Acceptance Agent will review your application and supporting documents.

The Agent will normally:

  1. Review Form DS-11
  2. Verify your identification
  3. Review your citizenship evidence
  4. Review the required supporting documents
  5. Administer the required oath
  6. Instruct you when to sign Form DS-11
  7. Witness your signature
  8. Execute the application
  9. Place the required application materials into the government envelope
  10. Seal the envelope

For a properly executed Courier application, you should leave the Acceptance Facility with a Sealed Government Envelope.

Do Not Open the Sealed Government Envelope

Once the Acceptance Agent seals the application:

Do not open the Sealed Government Envelope.

Do not open it to check the documents.

Do not allow another person to open it.

Breaking the seal may invalidate the execution and require another Acceptance Agent appointment.

Before Leaving the Acceptance Facility

Before you walk out, confirm that:

  • The DS-11 has been executed
  • You signed only when instructed
  • Required supporting documents were included
  • The Legal Passport Letter of Authorization was included when required
  • Proof of international travel was included when required
  • The government payment was included
  • The envelope was sealed by the Acceptance Agent
  • The Sealed Government Envelope was returned to you for Courier shipment when required by your current order

If something appears incorrect, address it before leaving the facility.

What Happens Next?

Follow the shipping instructions provided with your current 48HourPassport.com order.

For Courier submission:

Ship the Sealed Government Envelope via overnight FedEx to the Courier address provided with your current order. Keep the envelope sealed.

Do not send the package to an old address or an address from a previous order.

Use the Courier address supplied specifically for your current application.

Retain your FedEx tracking number.

Acceptance Facility vs. Passport Agency

These are not the same thing.

Passport Acceptance Facility

The Acceptance Facility:

  • Reviews DS-11 applications
  • Verifies identification
  • Witnesses signatures
  • Executes the application
  • Seals the application package

It does not decide whether your passport will be issued.

U.S. Passport Agency

The U.S. Passport Agency:

  • Receives passport applications
  • Reviews eligibility
  • Adjudicates the application
  • Approves or denies issuance
  • Produces the passport

The U.S. Department of State has final authority over passport issuance.

Acceptance Facility vs. Courier

The Courier also performs a different function.

The Courier receives the properly executed passport package and submits the qualifying application through the expedited Passport Agency process.

The Courier does not replace the Acceptance Agent.

A DS-11 applicant who requires an Acceptance Agent appointment must complete that step before the Courier can submit the application.

Common Acceptance Appointment Mistakes

Avoid these problems:

  • Signing DS-11 before the Agent tells you to sign
  • Bringing the wrong application form
  • Forgetting original citizenship evidence
  • Forgetting identification
  • Bringing an unacceptable passport photo
  • Preparing the wrong government payment
  • Missing parental documents
  • Forgetting proof of international travel
  • Forgetting the Legal Passport Letter of Authorization
  • Leaving without the properly sealed government envelope
  • Opening the Sealed Government Envelope afterward

Acceptance Appointment Checklist

Before leaving home, confirm:

  • □ Printed unsigned DS-11
  • □ Original or certified citizenship evidence
  • □ Valid government-issued photo ID
  • □ Passport photo
  • □ Correct Department of State payment
  • □ Acceptance Facility payment method
  • □ Proof of international departure when required
  • □ Legal Passport Letter of Authorization
  • □ Parental, custody, name-change, or other special documents when applicable
  • □ 48HourPassport.com instructions
  • □ Courier shipping instructions for your current order

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Passport Acceptance Agent?

An Acceptance Agent is an authorized person who reviews and executes certain passport applications submitted using Form DS-11.

Does the Acceptance Agent approve my passport?

No.

The U.S. Department of State makes the final decision on passport issuance.

Should I sign Form DS-11 before my appointment?

No.

Sign DS-11 only when the Acceptance Agent instructs you to sign it.

How much is the Acceptance Facility fee?

The current Acceptance Facility fee for a DS-11 passport application is $35.

It is paid separately from the Department of State passport application fee.

Does every passport application require an Acceptance Agent?

No.

Applicants eligible to renew using Form DS-82 normally do not need an Acceptance Agent appointment.

Can I use any post office?

No.

The location must be an authorized Passport Acceptance Facility offering passport services.

Do I need an appointment?

Many locations require appointments, while others may accept walk-ins.

Check with the individual Acceptance Facility before going.

What should I do with the Sealed Government Envelope?

Keep it sealed.

48HourPassport.com customers should follow the current order’s shipping instructions and send the Sealed Government Envelope to the designated Courier.

Can I open the envelope to make sure everything is inside?

No.

Opening the envelope may invalidate the execution.

Is an Acceptance Facility the same as a Passport Agency?

No.

An Acceptance Facility executes DS-11 applications. A Passport Agency adjudicates and processes passport applications.

Official Resources

U.S. Department of State — Apply for an Adult Passport
https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/adults.html

U.S. Department of State — Passport Fees
https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html

USPS Passport Appointment Scheduler
https://tools.usps.com/rcas.htm

Related 48HourPassport.com Resources

  • New Passport Instructions
  • Child Passport Instructions
  • Lost or Stolen Passport Instructions
  • Passport Photo Requirements
  • Common Passport Mistakes
  • Sealed Envelope Process
  • Passport Processing Times Explained
  • Passport Tracking Guide

Need Help Before Your Appointment?

If you are unsure what to bring to your Acceptance Agent appointment, call before you go.

833-220-0002

A Passport Specialist can review the requirements for your particular passport situation.

48HourPassport.com is a division of Legal Passport LLC.