How to Fill Out a DS-11 Form for a U.S. Passport Application?

Are you applying for your U.S. passport for the first time? For American citizens, the process is straightforward, but it still requires time and careful attention to detail.

The first step to your travel document is to fill out the DS 11 Form. For the application to go smoothly and without delays, you must complete the form correctly and comply with all requirements.

What is Form DS-11 and when is it required?
Where can I find Form DS-11?
How to properly fill the Form DS-11?
Where to submit the Form DS-11?
What documents do I need to submit with my Form DS-11?
How do I fill out a Form DS-11 for my child?
Form DS-11 cost and U.S. passport fees
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Below you will find a detailed guide on how to complete the DS-11 form and prepare the required documentation.

What is Form DS-11 and when is it required?

Form DS-11 is the official U.S. passport application form used in the following situations:

When applying for your first U.S. passport, regardless of age;
When applying for a passport for a child under 16 years of age;
When renewing an expired passport that was issued when you were under 16;
When renewing a passport that was issued more than 15 years ago;
When replacing a lost, stolen, or significantly damaged passport;
When updating your passport due to a gender transition or gender marker change.

Note: If you already have an expired U.S. passport that you received after the age of 16, and it was issued within the last 15 years, you may be eligible to renew it using Form DS-82, which can often be submitted by mail without appearing in person.

Where can I get Form DS-11?

The DS-11 form is available for free on the official U.S. Department of State website. You can download it directly here in PDF format.

You can choose to save the file to your computer or open it directly in any PDF editor by left-clicking the link. Make sure to print it single-sided if you plan to fill it out by hand and submit it in person—double-sided forms are not accepted.

If you prefer a paper copy, you can request a printed version of Form DS-11 at most passport acceptance facilities, which are typically located in U.S. post offices, public libraries, county clerk’s offices, or courthouses.

To find the nearest location, use the official Passport Acceptance Facility Search tool provided by the U.S. Department of State.

Form DS-11 comes with detailed instructions, which are included in the last four pages of the PDF file. Make sure to read these instructions carefully before you begin completing the form.

Provide accurate and up-to-date information. All names, including those of parents and spouses, must match exactly as they appear on official documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or previous passports. Submitting false or misleading information—intentionally or otherwise—can result in legal penalties, including fines or imprisonment under U.S. law.

You have two options for completing the form:

Fill it out electronically: Open the form on your computer, type in your responses, and then print it. This method helps avoid errors and ensures legibility.
Fill it out by hand: Print the form first and use a black-ink pen to complete it. Write clearly and in block letters. Illegible handwriting may result in processing delays or the need to submit a new form.

Important: Do not sign the form in advance. Your signature must be witnessed by an authorized passport acceptance agent during your in-person application appointment.

Where to submit Form DS-11

Form DS-11 must be submitted in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility. Do not sign the form before your appointment — your signature must be witnessed by a passport agent during submission.

Bring the completed but unsigned DS-11 form along with the required supporting documents, including proof of U.S. citizenship, a valid photo ID, a photocopy of that ID, and a passport-compliant photo.

You can find a nearby passport acceptance facility by using the Passport Acceptance Facility Search Tool on the official travel.state.gov website, or by contacting the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

Common acceptance facilities include U.S. post offices, courthouses, public libraries, and some local government offices. Be sure to check if an appointment is required, as many locations do not accept walk-ins.

What documents do I need to submit with my Form DS-11?

To apply for a U.S. passport using Form DS-11, you must submit a complete set of required documents along with your application. Below is a breakdown of what you need to prepare:

Proof of identity (ID documents)

You must present an original, unexpired government-issued photo ID that includes your full name and date of birth. Acceptable forms of identification include:

Valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or territory
Government employee ID card (federal, state, or municipal)
U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
U.S. military ID or military dependent ID
Tribal ID cards issued by a federally recognized tribe

If you are under 16 years old, both parents or legal guardians must present their own valid IDs at the time of application.

In addition to the original identification document, you must also provide a clear photocopy of the front and back of the ID on white, 8.5" x 11" standard paper. The photocopy must be legible and printed on only one side of the paper.

U.S. passport photo requirements

Your U.S. passport application must include two identical printed photos that meet all official U.S. passport photo requirements. These requirements include:

The photo must be recent — taken within the last 6 months.
The dimensions must be exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
The background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows or textures.
The photo must show a full-face view, directly facing the camera with a neutral expression or a natural smile.
Eyeglasses are not permitted, even if you wear them daily, unless there is a rare medical exemption (which requires a signed doctor’s statement).
Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons and must not obscure facial features. A signed statement may be required.

Make sure the photo meets all specifications, as non-compliant photos are a common reason for application delays or rejections. It’s recommended to use a professional service or a trusted online passport photo tool to ensure accuracy.

Here is an example:

Need a U.S. passport photo right away? Simply upload a full-face portrait to Visafoto, and the service will automatically adjust the background, size, head position, and overall format to meet official U.S. passport photo requirements.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID. No registration required. You will see results in seconds.

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Result

Once your photo is processed, you’ll receive a digital version and a print-ready template. You can print your passport photos for less than $0.50 at major U.S. retail chains like Walgreens, CVS, or Costco by following our detailed printing guide.

With Visafoto, you can get a fully compliant U.S. passport photo from the comfort of your home in just minutes. It’s a cost-effective alternative to offline photo services, where prices typically start at $15 or more.

Our team provides 24/7 customer support. If you’re not satisfied with your photo, we’ll either correct it at no extra cost or issue a full refund — guaranteed.

Only individuals who hold U.S. citizenship — either by birth or through naturalization — are eligible to apply for a U.S. passport. To prove your citizenship, you must submit an original document from one of the categories below. The exact document required may depend on your circumstances and country of birth.

Acceptable primary documents include:

U.S. Birth Certificate: Issued by a U.S. city, county, or state authority, showing your full name, date and place of birth, and the registrar’s signature and seal. It must be an original or certified copy — hospital-issued certificates are not accepted.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240): For U.S. citizens born outside the United States to American parents.
Certificate of U.S. Citizenship: Issued to individuals who acquired citizenship through their parents.
Certificate of Naturalization: Issued to individuals who became U.S. citizens through the naturalization process.

Important: You must submit the original document or a certified copy; photocopies or notarized copies are not accepted as proof of citizenship.

In certain cases, additional supporting documents may be required. These can include:

Parents' naturalization certificates (for applicants claiming citizenship through parents);
Foreign birth certificates with English translations;
Adoption decrees (in the case of adopted children);
Evidence of parental U.S. citizenship and physical presence in the United States prior to your birth (for applicants born abroad).

Be sure to check your situation carefully to determine which documents you must submit. All documents will be returned to you by mail after your application is processed.

How to fill out Form DS-11 for a child under 16

If the applicant is under the age of 16, Form DS-11 must be completed and submitted by the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s). However, all the information entered on the form should pertain to the child, not the parent.

Some fields, such as height and hair color, may be entered as approximate, especially for infants and toddlers whose appearance may change rapidly.

Required documents for a child’s passport application

When completing and submitting the DS-11 form on behalf of a child, you must include the following documents:

Child’s U.S. birth certificate (or Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Citizenship) — must show parental names and serve as both proof of citizenship and parental relationship.
Parents’ valid passports or other acceptable government-issued photo IDs — both parents must appear in person with the child.
Parental consent: If one parent cannot be present, Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) must be submitted. It must be notarized by a U.S. consular officer or notary public and accompanied by a copy of the non-applying parent’s ID.
Two identical passport photos of the child, meeting U.S. passport photo specifications. Note that passport photo requirements for infants differ slightly from those for adults — especially regarding posture, facial expression, and eye visibility. You can read more in this guide to baby passport photos.

Important: Children must be present in person at the passport acceptance facility when submitting the application.

Form DS-11 cost and U.S. passport fees

Form DS-11 itself is free to download and complete. However, when applying for a U.S. passport using this form, you must pay government fees based on the type of document you are requesting.

U.S. passport book fees

Adults (16 and older): $130 application fee + $35 acceptance fee = $165 total
Children (under 16): $100 application fee + $35 acceptance fee = $135 total

U.S. passport card fees

Adults (16 and older): $30 application fee + $35 acceptance fee = $65 total
Children (under 16): $15 application fee + $35 acceptance fee = $50 total

The passport card is a more affordable option, but it can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is not valid for international air travel.

If you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport using Form DS-11, the fees remain the same as for a first-time application.

Note: Expedited service is available for an additional fee of $60, plus optional delivery charges if you need faster shipping.

The passport card is a more affordable option, but it can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is not valid for international air travel.

If you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport using Form DS-11, the fees remain the same as for a first-time application.

Expedited service is available for an additional fee of $60, plus optional delivery charges if you need faster shipping.

How long is a DS-11 Form valid?

A DS-11 form is valid for a single passport application only. You cannot reuse a previously completed form for a renewal or to apply for a second passport. Each application requires a newly completed DS-11 form.

Can I renew my passport using a DS-11 Form?

No. Instead, you should use a DS-82 Form, a renewal application for a previously issued US passport.

Last update: June 2025