DS-11: How to Fill Out the New U.S. Passport Form (2026)
DS-11 is the U.S. passport application for first-time applicants and lost/stolen replacements. Step-by-step guide to every section — fees, docs, and what to bring.
TL;DR
The DS-11 form is the U.S. passport application you use when you’re applying for the first time, replacing a lost or stolen passport, or your last passport doesn’t qualify for mail-in renewal. You must submit it in person at an acceptance facility — and you cannot sign it until an agent tells you to.
At a glance
- Who uses it: First-time applicants, lost/stolen replacements, kids under 16, and those ineligible for DS-82 renewal
- Where: In person at an acceptance facility or regional passport agency — never by mail
- Fee (book): $165 State Dept + $35 execution fee — last verified April 2026 at travel.state.gov
- Fee (card): $65 State Dept + $35 execution fee
- Fee (book + card): $190 State Dept + $35 execution fee
- Required docs: Proof of U.S. citizenship, government photo ID, one 2×2 passport photo
- Do NOT sign before: your acceptance agent tells you to
Why the DS-11 matters
There are two main U.S. passport application forms. The DS-82 is for eligible renewals — submitted by mail, no in-person visit required. The DS-11 is for everyone else: first-time applicants, people who have lost their passport, minors, and adults whose previous passport was issued before their 16th birthday or more than 15 years ago.
The DS-11 requires an in-person visit to an authorized acceptance facility. This is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. The agent must verify your identity and watch you sign the form. That step is what gives the application its legal standing.
If you accidentally submit via the wrong form, your application will be returned — adding weeks to your timeline.
Who uses the DS-11
You need the DS-11 (not the DS-82) if any of these apply to you:
- You have never had a U.S. passport
- Your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
- Your previous passport was issued when you were under 16
- Your previous passport was issued 15 or more years ago
- Your name has changed and you cannot provide the legal name-change documentation
- You are applying for a child under 16
If none of those apply — your passport is in good condition, it was issued after your 16th birthday, and it’s less than 15 years old — check whether you qualify for the DS-82 mail-in renewal instead. It’s simpler.
Walking through each section of the DS-11
Section 1: Applicant information
Your full legal name (first, middle, last), sex, date of birth, and place of birth. Use your name exactly as it appears on your citizenship document. If your birth certificate spells out your middle name but you usually abbreviate it, use the full spelling.
Social Security number: The State Department is required to ask for it under the Debt Collection Improvement Act. Refusing delays your application. If you were never issued an SSN, check the “I do not have an SSN” box and explain briefly.
Height and hair/eye color: These go on the data page of your passport book.
Section 2: Contact and travel information
Your mailing address is where the passport will be shipped — double-check it. Your email and phone number allow the State Department to contact you if there’s a problem.
Travel plans: Optional, but if you have an imminent trip, listing it can help you request expedited processing. You don’t need confirmed travel to apply.
Section 3: Parental information (for minors under 16)
Both parents’ or guardians’ full legal names, birth dates, and places of birth are required. This is how CBP and the State Department verify parental consent.
Both parents appearing in person is the simplest path. If one parent cannot be there, they must sign a DS-3053 form — a notarized parental consent form — which the appearing parent submits with the application.
If one parent has sole custody or one parent’s whereabouts are unknown, you’ll need a court order or other documentation. This is one of the more common reasons child passport applications get held up. Gather these documents before your appointment.
Section 4: Citizenship evidence
You need to prove you are a U.S. citizen. Accepted documents include:
- A certified (not photocopy) U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal — this is what proof of citizenship means for the passport application
- A previously issued U.S. passport (even expired, as long as it was issued when you were 16 or older)
- A Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
- A Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)
The State Department will return your original documents after processing. Do not submit laminated birth certificates — they cannot be authenticated and will be rejected.
Section 5: Photo and identity verification
Attach one passport photo (2×2 inches, white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months). The acceptance agent will verify your identity by examining your photo ID — typically a driver’s license or state-issued ID. Read the passport photo requirements before you print.
Section 6: Fees
As of April 2026, the State Department fees are:
| Passport type | State Dept fee | Execution fee |
|---|---|---|
| Book only | $165 | $35 |
| Card only | $65 | $35 |
| Book + card | $190 | $35 |
| Expedited service (optional) | +$60 | — |
| 1–2 day delivery (optional) | +$19.53 | — |
Verify these at travel.state.gov/fees before you go. Fee amounts occasionally change.
The execution fee ($35) is paid to the acceptance facility. Many facilities will not accept the State Department fee in cash — check ahead, as they usually want a personal check or money order made out to “U.S. Department of State.”
What to bring to the acceptance facility
- Completed DS-11 (unsigned — do not sign it yet)
- Original citizenship document (birth certificate, prior passport, etc.)
- Copy of citizenship document (front only for passport book/card)
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, military ID)
- Copy of your photo ID (front and back)
- One passport photo (2×2 inches)
- Payment for both the State Dept fee and the execution fee
For minors: bring DS-3053 if one parent is absent, or court order if one parent has sole custody.
Common pitfalls
- Signing before you’re at the acceptance facility. If you sign at home, the agent cannot use that form. Bring an unsigned copy.
- Bringing a photocopy of your birth certificate instead of the original. The original certified birth certificate with a raised seal is required. Copies — even notarized copies — are not accepted.
- Using a form version that’s out of date. The State Department revises forms periodically. Always download from travel.state.gov.
- Forgetting the copies. You need both the original and a copy of your citizenship document. The original is returned; the copy stays with your application.
- Scheduling an appointment without checking wait times first. Popular acceptance facilities, especially post offices, can be booked out 2–4 weeks. Check iafdb.travel.state.gov to find a less-busy location nearby.
- Confusing the DS-11 with the DS-82. The DS-82 is the mail-in renewal — no in-person visit required. Submitting a DS-11 when you qualify for a DS-82 just adds hassle; submitting a DS-82 when you need a DS-11 means the application will come back.
What to do next
Once you have your documents together, find your nearest acceptance facility at iafdb.travel.state.gov and schedule an appointment. If you have travel coming up in the next six weeks, consider paying the expedited fee — it cuts processing to roughly two to three weeks.
If you’d prefer to skip the paperwork assembly and let someone else handle the document review, photo check, and status tracking, our passport service does exactly that. Start your passport application and we’ll guide you through every step.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to use the DS-11 form?
First-time applicants, anyone replacing a lost or stolen passport, applicants under 16, and those whose last passport was issued before their 16th birthday or more than 15 years ago. If your current passport is less than 15 years old, was issued after your 16th birthday, and is in good condition, you may qualify for the DS-82 mail-in renewal.
Can I sign the DS-11 before I get to the acceptance facility?
No. The acceptance agent must witness your signature. A pre-signed form will be rejected and you’ll need a new blank form.
How much does a passport cost with the DS-11 in 2026?
The State Department fee is $165 for a book, $65 for a card only, or $190 for both. You also pay a $35 execution fee to the acceptance facility. Expedited processing adds $60. Confirm current fees at travel.state.gov.
Do both parents have to appear in person for a child’s passport?
The ideal situation is both parents present with the child. If one parent cannot appear, they must submit a notarized DS-3053 consent form. Sole-custody situations require a court order or other approved documentation.
How long does a first-time passport take?
Routine processing is approximately 6–8 weeks. Expedited is approximately 2–3 weeks with the $60 fee. For travel within 14 days, you can request an appointment at a regional passport agency.
Where can I submit a DS-11 form?
At any authorized acceptance facility — post offices, county clerks, libraries, courts. Find facilities near you at iafdb.travel.state.gov. Regional passport agencies also accept walk-ins for urgent travel.
Sources: State Department — Apply in Person, State Department — Passport Fees.
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