How to Get a U.S. Passport: What You Need and Where to Go

You need to apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, bring specific documents, and pay a fee

A U.S. passport is issued by the State Department, not online and not by mail for a first-time application. You must appear in person at an acceptance facility — usually a post office, courthouse, or library — with your birth certificate, photo ID, a completed form, a new photo, and payment. The process takes four to six weeks under normal conditions, though expedited processing (two to three weeks) costs extra. You cannot start this process online; you can only check the status of an application you have already submitted.

The acceptance facility does not issue the passport itself. They verify your documents, take your photo or accept one you bring, collect your fee, and send everything to a State Department processing center. That center reviews your application, prints your passport, and mails it to you. If anything is missing or unclear, they will mail it back to you, which adds weeks to the timeline.

Key Takeaways

• You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility with your original birth certificate, a valid photo ID, a completed application form, and a passport photo.
• Standard processing takes four to six weeks; expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs an additional fee.
• The acceptance facility collects your documents and fee but does not issue the passport — the State Department processes and mails it to you.
• If your documents are incomplete or unclear, the State Department will return them by mail, adding several weeks to the timeline.
• You can check your application status online using your receipt number, but you cannot submit an application or renew online for a first passport.

Documents you must bring to the acceptance facility

Bring your original birth certificate — a certified copy, not a photocopy. If you were born outside the United States, bring your original Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Naturalization. A hospital-issued birth certificate or a photocopy will not work.

Bring a valid photo ID issued by a government agency. A driver's license, state ID card, or military ID all work. A school ID, library card, or expired ID does not. If you do not have a government-issued photo ID, you can bring two non-photo IDs instead (such as a Social Security card and a credit card with your name on it), but this is slower and the acceptance facility may ask you to come back with a photo ID.

Bring your Social Security number or a copy of your Social Security card. You will need it to fill out the application form.

The application form and passport photo

Fill out Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport) before you go to the acceptance facility, or fill it out there. You can download it from the State Department website or pick up a copy at the facility. Do not sign the form until you are at the facility in front of the acceptance agent — signing it early will invalidate it.

Bring a new passport photo that meets State Department rules: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background, your full face visible, and your eyes open and looking at the camera. You can have it taken at the acceptance facility for a fee (usually $10 to $15), or bring one you had taken elsewhere. Passport photo booths at pharmacies and shipping stores are common and cost $10 to $20. Do not use a selfie, a photo from social media, or a photo with filters.

If you are under 16, a parent or legal guardian must appear with you and sign the application form in front of the acceptance agent.

Fees and payment methods

A passport book costs $130 for adults (16 and older) and $100 for minors (under 16). A passport card (a wallet-sized card used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) costs $35 for adults and $30 for minors. You can get both a book and a card together for $165 (adults) or $135 (minors).

There is also an execution fee of $35 that the acceptance facility collects. This fee goes to the facility, not the State Department, and is charged whether you are getting a book, card, or both.

Expedited processing costs an additional $60. This moves your application to the front of the queue and cuts the processing time to two to three weeks instead of four to six weeks. You can request expedited processing at the acceptance facility when you submit your application.

Pay by check, money order, or credit/debit card. Some facilities accept cash, but not all — call ahead to confirm. Make checks or money orders payable to "U.S. Department of State."

Finding an acceptance facility and scheduling an appointment

Search for passport acceptance facilities on the State Department website using your zip code. Most post offices, county courthouses, and public libraries accept passport applications. Some facilities require an appointment; others work on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the facility before you go to confirm their hours and whether you need to book a time slot.

Appointments can fill up weeks in advance, especially in urban areas. If your nearest facility is booked, search for facilities in neighboring towns or counties. Some people travel 30 to 60 minutes to find an open appointment.

If you need your passport urgently and cannot get an appointment at an acceptance facility, you can apply for expedited processing and then visit a passport agency in person if you have a travel date within two weeks. Passport agencies are located in major cities and handle urgent cases. You must call the National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778) to make an appointment at an agency; you cannot walk in.

What happens after you submit your application

The acceptance facility gives you a receipt with a tracking number. Keep this receipt. You can use the tracking number to check your application status on the State Department website.

The State Department processes applications in the order they are received. Standard processing takes four to six weeks from the date they receive your application (not from the date you submitted it at the facility). Expedited processing takes two to three weeks. These timelines assume your application is complete and correct. If something is missing or unclear, the State Department will mail your application back to you, and you will have to resubmit it, which adds several weeks.

Once your passport is approved and printed, the State Department mails it to the address you provided on your application. Delivery usually takes three to five business days. You do not pick it up at the acceptance facility.

Common reasons applications are rejected or delayed

The most common reason for delay is a missing or unclear document. If your birth certificate is a photocopy instead of a certified copy, or if your photo does not meet the State Department's rules, your application will be returned. If your signature on the application does not match your ID, or if you signed the form before arriving at the facility, it will be rejected.

If you have a name change (through marriage, divorce, or court order), bring the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, your application will be delayed while the State Department tries to verify the change.

If you are applying for a replacement passport because your old one was lost or stolen, you must report it to the State Department. If you do not, and your old passport is later found and used fraudulently, you may be held liable. Report a lost or stolen passport by calling the National Passport Information Center or by filling out a statement at the acceptance facility when you apply for a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport by mail?

Yes, but only if your passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and expired less than five years ago. You mail your passport, a completed renewal form, a new photo, and payment to the State Department address on the form. This takes four to six weeks. If your passport does not meet these conditions, you must apply in person at an acceptance facility.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born and request a certified copy. This can take several weeks. If you were born abroad and do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where you were born. Plan for delays if you do not have your birth certificate yet.

Can I get a passport the same day?

No. The fastest option is expedited processing (two to three weeks) at a passport agency if you have a travel date within two weeks. You must call the National Passport Information Center to make an appointment. Passport agencies are in major cities only, and appointments fill quickly.

What if I need my passport for international travel in less than two weeks?

Call the National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778) immediately. If you have a confirmed travel date within 14 days, you may be able to get an emergency appointment at a passport agency. Bring proof of your travel plans (airline ticket, hotel reservation, or tour confirmation). Emergency appointments are limited and must be requested by phone.

Do I need a passport if I am traveling to Canada or Mexico by car?

For land border crossings, you can use a passport book, passport card, REAL ID driver's license, or Enhanced Driver's License. For sea travel (cruise ship), you need a passport book or passport card. A regular driver's license is not enough for sea travel. Check the specific requirements for your mode of travel before you book.