New Passport

For Individuals who:

  • Have never had a passport,
  • Have lost a valid passport,
  • Have a passport that was issued more than 15 years ago,
  • Have a damaged or mutilated passport, or
  • Have a most recent 5 year, US child passport, issued prior to their 16th birthday.

I. Proof of Citizenship

To prove citizenship, you can provide a certified birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or an old passport that can not be renewed.

When you need to order a birth certificate or any vital record, you can do so here: order a birth certificate.

II. Proof of Identification

Either a current and valid driver’s license or a state ID, both featuring a photo, and either being in effect for at least a year.

Supplemental Identification is available to anyone who lacks either the driver’s license or state ID.

Applicants who are 16 years old must have one parent cosign their application.

Applicants who are 17 years old may need one parent to cosign if they have not possessed a driver’s license or state ID for the past year.

III. Photo Requirements

One passport photo with a white background, measuring 2×2. Eyeglasses are not permitted in the photo.

To make sure that your passport application is not denied, it is crucial to carefully adhere to the Photo Requirements. Rejected photos are the most common reason for processing delays.

To find a Photo Store near you, click here.

IV. DS-11 Passport Application Form

Please follow the steps below to complete the form:

  1. Complete the DS-11 form online – type it with your keyboard – download the form as a pdf file and print out the last two pages – the bar-code.
  2. Make sure the required 2-D barcode is printed on the top left margin. You need two copies.
  3. The application form has to be printed single-sided on two pages (not back to back).
  4. Sign the form with an original signature in front of an Acceptance Agent at the post office..
  5. Hand-written applications will not be accepted, so please don’t edit  the form with a pen. You will sign it under oath in front of the Passport Acceptance Agent.
  6. When printing the form, only print pages 5 and 6 twice. You may discard the first four pages of instructions. Pages 5 and 6 turn into pages 1 and 2 when printed with the required barcode on the top left of the form.

Print two copies of your typed DS-11 form. One copy needs to be executed and endorsed by the Acceptance Agent, then sealed in a government envelope. The second DS 11 (without a signature or a photo) can be paper clipped to the outside of the sealed envelope and will be used if the DS 11 in the sealed envelope lacks a barcode.

If you have a lost valid passport, please also complete and sign the DS-64 form – which must also go inside the Sealed Government Envelope. This is required so the Agency can cancel out your lost passport before issuing you a new passport. You can sign the DS 64 as soon as you print it out and not in front of anyone, either, unlike the DS-11.  Please consider if you have applied for and lost a passport within the last ten years.

V. Letter of Authorization

Please complete one (1) Letter of Authorization with original signatures done by pen in hand.

IMPORTANT: The Letter of Authorization (LOA) must be filled out and signed by the applicant in black or dark blue ink. You can fill it out and sign it immediately, and not in front of anyone either. The LOA should be placed inside the Government envelope. The name of the courier company must be accurate and is required by the government and should be printed or written in black pen above where you sign your name.

VI. Proof of Departure

Please provide a computer-generated copy of the flight airline itinerary or a copy of your airline ticket, or a corporate business travel letter. The proof of departure should be within 2 weeks, unless you are traveling to a visa country. In that case, the proof of departure can be within 4 weeks. Remember to attach a copy of the proof of departure to the outside of the sealed envelope and inside the FedEx envelope. We can help you obtain proof of departure.

VII. US Government Fees

For adults, the payment to the US Department of State is $211.36. You can pay with a Bank Check or a Money Order. A US Postal Money Order is also ideal, especially when you are going there anyway to get your sealed government envelope.  Print name and birthdate on the Memo Line of the Money Order or Bank Check. Personal Checks are allowed if you have your name and address printed on the check and it is NOT a temporary or a starter check.  The $211.36 payment includes return Priority Mail with Tracking to the address on your application.

For San Francisco Processing Please Note: If you are using the 2-5 Days Urgent Service in San Francisco, you can only write a $190 Personal Check to the US Department of State if your name and birthdate are printed on the check and match the same  information on your application. Otherwise, you must use a US Postal Money Order for $190. Print your name and birthdate on the Check or Money Order. Passports in San Francisco are picked up at Will Call by the courier and will be shipped with FedEx for $50.00.

VIII. Call to Reserve a Courier, Make Payment, and Receive Shipping Address.

To make a reservation for your personal  courier at the Passport Agency,  please call (800) 238-6662 to reserve over the phone.

Payment must be made to 48 Hour Passport by credit or debit card to reserve a time slot with the US Passport Agency.  Keep in mind that this payment is non-refundable, as the Passport Agency has limited reservations. Payment is required to secure your reservation and guaranteed expedited service. Passport Specialists also do a lot of the work upfront, thus the need to have the no-refund policy! You must also realize eligibility for a passport is determined by the US Passport Agency based on proof of citizenship and compliance with the provided instructions. The reservation does not guarantee you a passport but guarantees your application will be submitted on schedule.

How quickly do you need your US Passport?

For urgent processing within 2-4 days (plus shipping time), the cost is $499, plus a $21 credit card processing fee.

For rush processing within 5-15 days (plus shipping time), the cost is $399, plus a $21 credit card processing fee.

For safe processing over 3 weeks (plus shipping time), the cost is $299, plus a $21 credit card processing fee.

Please be aware that processing and shipping times are based on business days. Additionally, the State Department and Government fees are not included in the prices mentioned above.

IX. Visit an Acceptance Agent

New passport applicants will need to visit an Acceptance Agent (AA) to begin the passport application process. The AA is located at designated post offices or courthouses.

To find the nearest Acceptance Agent to you, whether it be at a post office, courthouse, or library, please check here.

What happens at the AA office?

During your visit to the AA office, the following tasks will be completed by the Acceptance Agent:

  1. You will take an oath and sign the DS-11 Passport Application form, and the Acceptance Agent will then countersign and stamp it to make it legal.
  2. The Acceptance Agent will record information from your driver’s license and attach your photo  to the DS-11 form.
  3. The Acceptance Agent will insert the signed and completed  Letter of Authorization and a $211.36 Bank Cashier’s Check or US Postal Money Order or proper Personal Check into a Government Envelope.
  4. The Acceptance Agent will also insert a copy of your itinerary or a business travel letter into the Government Envelope.
  5. The Acceptance Agent will hand the newly sealed envelope to you. Inform the Acceptance Agent you are using a courier service for the “Hand-Carry” of the sealed envelope.
  6. The “Hand-Carry” rule is outlined in the Acceptance Agent’s rulebook, which they can refer to if unfamiliar with the rule. The purpose of the “Hand-Carry” is to expedite the passport in a week or less – something they can not do with a guarantee.
  7. You will then FedEx the sealed envelope and photocopies to the Courier. Call us when you go to, or at FedEx, and we will confirm shipping instructions and the addrfess.

X. Items In Sealed Government Envelope

The original vital records or documents, such as the certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, and/or old passport, are enclosed in the SEALED GOVERNMENT ENVELOPE. These vital records will be returned along with the new passport.

What should be inside the Sealed Government Envelope

  • DS-11 Passport Application that is signed and completed with a 2D Bar Code.
  • Certified Birth Certificate, naturalization certificate, or old passport.
  • Copy of the front and back of your driver’s license or state ID.
  • One Client Letter of Authorization that is filled out and signed.
  • Travel itinerary or company travel letter.
  • One (1) photo.
  • Bank Cashier’s Check, US Postal Money Order (best method) or a Personal Check; NO Starter checks or temporary checks.
    All are made payable to: US Department of State for $211.36 with $21.36, for return, priority mail. The applicant’s name and birthdate must be printed on the memo of the check.

Please ensure that the STAMPED SEAL on the envelope remains intact and unbroken. Tampering with or breaking the seal will render the application void, so you have to redo it.

Please note:  the extra copy of the DS-11 and a second copy of the proof of departure should NOT be included inside the sealed envelope. Keep the DS-11 copy separate from the AA who seals the envelope. Probably leave the two copies in the car. The second copy of the DS-11 – and the second copy of the itinerary – clip to the outside of the Sealed Envelope and inside the FedEx envelope. The Courier can not submit your Sealed Envelope to the Agency without the second copy of the DS-11 outside the Sealed Envelope.

Here is a final checklist for overnight FedEx shipping:

  1. Ensure you have a properly sealed envelope for the U.S. Passport Service.
  2. Include a second copy of the unsigned DS 11 form with the barcode on the top left margin.
  3. Include copy of your travel itinerary or a business travel letter.

IMPORTANT: Use the appropriate-sized FedEx envelope or box to securely and safely ship your sealed government envelope and two extra copies.

For the shipping address to the 48 Hour Passport courier and detailed shipping instructions for FedEx, please call (800) 238-6662. Remember, do not use USPS or UPS for this shipment unless special shipping arrangements are made.