What You Need to Bring for an Emergency Passport
Documents You Must Bring to the Passport Agency
An emergency passport requires specific documents in a specific order. Bring them all at once — going back for a missing item costs you time you do not have. The State Department's acceptance agent will not process your application without each one.
You need a completed Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport). Print it before you go; the agency will not provide blank copies. You also need a completed Form DS-64 if your passport was lost or stolen — this reports it to the government and prevents someone else from using it. Both forms are on the State Department website under "Forms".
Bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy. A photocopy does not work. If you were born outside the United States, bring your Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Naturalization instead. If you cannot locate your birth certificate, the agency can sometimes work around it, but call ahead to confirm — do not assume.
Proof of Citizenship and Identity
You need one document that proves who you are and one that proves you are a U.S. citizen. These can be the same document or two separate ones, depending on what you have.
For identity, bring a current driver's license, state ID card, military ID, or passport card. It must have your photo and signature. An expired ID does not work for emergency passports, even if it is only expired by a few months. If you do not have a photo ID, call the passport agency before you go — they have workarounds, but you need to know what documents to bring instead.
For citizenship, an unexpired passport works if you have one. If not, bring your birth certificate (which you are already bringing), naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth. If you were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, bring your Certificate of Citizenship or a Form FS-240 (Certification of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen).
Proof of Travel Plans and Urgent Need
Emergency passports exist because you have a real trip coming up. You must show proof that the trip is happening soon — within the next two weeks is the standard threshold, though the agency can sometimes move faster for same-day service.
Bring a plane ticket (printed or on your phone), a cruise confirmation, a hotel reservation, or any document with your name, destination, and departure date. An email confirmation counts. A screenshot of a booking does not need to be printed, but bring it on your phone in case the agent wants to verify it. If your trip is for a funeral or medical emergency, bring a death certificate or a letter from a doctor on letterhead explaining the urgency.
The agency will not issue an emergency passport without this proof. "I might need to travel" or "I have a trip planned for next month" will not work. The trip must be documented and imminent.
Payment and Passport Photos
Bring a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State," or be prepared to pay by card at the agency. The fee for an emergency passport is higher than a standard one — the exact amount varies by passport type (book versus card) and whether you are renewing or applying for the first time. Call your local passport agency or check the State Department website for the current fee before you go.
You also need two identical passport photos, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. They must be in color, with a white or off-white background, and show your full face straight-on. Do not wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup. Many CVS and Walgreens locations offer passport photos for around $15 per pair. Some passport agencies can take your photo on-site for an additional fee if you arrive without one, but do not count on it — bring photos with you.
If You Are Applying for Someone Else
If you are applying on behalf of a minor (under 16), both parents or guardians must be present with photo ID, or one parent must bring a notarized consent form from the other parent. The minor must also be present. The agency will not process a minor's passport application without this.
If you are applying for an adult who cannot travel to the agency, you cannot do it. The applicant must appear in person at the passport agency. There is no exception for emergency passports — the government requires a face-to-face interview.
What Happens After You Submit Everything
Once the agency accepts your documents, they will give you a receipt with a tracking number. An emergency passport typically takes one to three business days, though same-day service is possible if you arrive early in the morning and your case is straightforward. The agency will tell you when to return to pick it up, or they may mail it to you — ask which option applies to your situation.
Do not leave the area until you have the passport in hand. If the agency finds a problem with your documents after you leave, they may not be able to reach you in time to fix it before your trip. If you are traveling the same day, ask about same-day service when you arrive — it costs more but exists for exactly this reason.
Common Documents People Forget
The most common mistake is bringing a photocopy of your birth certificate instead of the original or a certified copy. The agency will turn you away. A certified copy has a raised seal or an official stamp from the vital records office — a copy you made at home does not count.
The second mistake is bringing an expired ID. Even if it expired last week, it does not work. If your only ID is expired, call the passport agency before you go and ask what alternative documents they will accept.
The third mistake is not bringing proof of travel. "I have a flight" is not proof. Bring the actual ticket or confirmation. The agency needs to see the date and destination.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your original or certified birth certificate, a current photo ID, and proof of citizenship — all three are required, and photocopies do not work.
- You must show proof that your trip is happening within the next two weeks, such as a plane ticket, cruise confirmation, or hotel reservation with your name and travel date.
- Complete Form DS-11 before you arrive, and bring two passport photos taken within the last six months with a white background.
- Bring payment by check, money order, or card; the emergency passport fee is higher than standard passport fees and varies by type.
- If you are applying for a minor, both parents or guardians must be present with photo ID, or one parent must bring a notarized consent form from the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital copy of my birth certificate on my phone?
No. You must bring the original birth certificate or a certified copy with an official seal or stamp from the vital records office. A photo or PDF on your phone does not meet the requirement. If you cannot locate your original, contact your state's vital records office to order a certified copy before your appointment.
What if my ID is expired?
An expired ID does not work for emergency passports. Call the passport agency before you go and ask what alternative documents they will accept — they may ask for a combination of documents instead, such as a Social Security card plus a school or work ID. Do not assume you can substitute something else without confirming first.
Do I need to print my plane ticket or can I show it on my phone?
You can show it on your phone. The agency accepts printed tickets, email confirmations, or screenshots of bookings. Make sure the document clearly shows your name, destination, and departure date. If your phone battery is low, bring a printed copy as backup.
Can someone pick up my passport if I cannot go to the agency?
No. You must appear in person to apply for an emergency passport. The government requires a face-to-face interview, and there is no exception. If you cannot travel to the agency yourself, you cannot get an emergency passport.
What if I do not have two passport photos yet?
Some passport agencies can take your photo on-site for an additional fee, but this is not may provide at every location. Call your local agency to ask. If they cannot, you can get photos taken at CVS, Walgreens, or a local photography studio — most have them ready within an hour. Do not arrive without photos unless you have confirmed the agency will take them.