How to apply for a U.S. passport
A first passport, a child’s passport, and any passport that does not qualify for renewal has to be submitted in person at an acceptance facility. That is usually a post office, library, or clerk’s office. It is not a regional passport agency.
Already have a passport? See renewal rules
Who must apply in person
Use Form DS-11, and do not sign it until the acceptance agent tells you to. You need this form if any of these apply:
- This is your first U.S. passport.
- You are applying for a child under 16, or for a 16- or 17-year-old.
- Your most recent passport was lost, stolen, or damaged beyond normal wear.
- Your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago, or it was issued before you turned 16.
- You cannot send in your most recent passport.
- You changed your name and cannot document it.
If your passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and was issued within the last 15 years, renew it instead. Acceptance facilities do not take renewal forms.
What to do
- Fill out Form DS-11 with the State Department passport forms tool and print it single-sided. Leave it unsigned.
- Gather citizenship evidence and a photo ID. Bring the originals and the photocopies listed below.
- Get one color photo, 2×2 inches, taken in the last six months.
- Make two payments: the application fee to the U.S. Department of State, and a $35 acceptance fee to the facility.
- Book a time if the facility requires one, then go in person. The agent checks your ID, gives you an oath, and watches you sign.
Documents and photo
Bring one of these as proof of citizenship. It must be the original or a certified copy, not a souvenir or hospital certificate:
- A U.S. birth certificate with the registrar’s seal.
- A previous full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport (10 years for adults, 5 years for children under 16).
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or other State Department birth record.
- A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.
Also bring a physical photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus a photocopy of the citizenship document and a photocopy of the front and back of the ID.
The photo needs a plain white or off-white background, a full face looking at the camera, and no glasses. Head coverings are allowed only for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement. Some facilities take photos; ask when you book.
For a child under 16, both parents or guardians usually must appear. If one cannot, ask about Form DS-3053 and the other exceptions before you book. Ages 16 and 17 also apply in person. Details are on the passport forms page.
Fees
You pay two separate fees. The application fee goes to the Department of State, by check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State,” with the applicant’s name and date of birth on the memo line. Do not send cash. The $35 acceptance fee is paid to the facility, and the payment method depends on that office.
Age 16 and older
| Document | Application fee | Acceptance fee |
|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 | $35 |
| Passport card | $30 | $35 |
| Book and card | $160 | $35 |
Under 16
| Document | Application fee | Acceptance fee |
|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $100 | $35 |
| Passport card | $15 | $35 |
| Book and card | $115 | $35 |
A passport card is not valid for international air travel. It works for land and sea entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Expedited service adds $60. Optional 1–3 day return of a passport book was $22.05 on the 2026 fee chart; cards are sent by regular mail only. Confirm the current amounts on the passport fees page before you pay. Fees are not refunded if a passport is not issued.
Where to apply
Search this map for a city, address, or ZIP. A city page such as “passport near Boston, MA” lists the acceptance facilities in that city. Tap a pin for the address and any hours the State Department has published.
Post offices that take first-time and child applications book through the USPS scheduler. Libraries, courts, and other offices use their own appointment systems, and some only accept applications during a short window. Call ahead.
Find an acceptance facility on the map
Wait times
Processing time is how long the State Department spends on the application after it arrives. It does not include mailing. Mail can take up to two weeks to reach them and up to two weeks to come back, unless you pay for faster shipping. Times below are from the State Department’s processing times page, last updated in 2026. They move with demand. Late winter through summer is the busy season.
| Service | Processing | What it costs extra |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | 4–6 weeks | Included |
| Expedited | 2–3 weeks | $60 |
| Urgent travel | Agency appointment | Expedite fee at the agency |
Urgent travel means an international trip within 14 calendar days. That appointment is at a regional passport agency, not at the facilities on this map, and you need proof of travel. Life-or-death emergencies use the same agency system on a shorter clock. Start at get a passport faster, or read expedited and urgent passports.
You can check progress at passport status. If the department asks for more information, answer quickly. That can make processing take longer. Questions: National Passport Information Center, 1-877-487-2778.
Browse acceptance facilities by state
Passport near a city
Each city page lists the acceptance facilities in that city. Open one to see where to apply in person.
Passport near Brooklyn, NY Passport near Chicago, IL Passport near Houston, TX Passport near New York, NY Passport near Baltimore, MD Passport near Los Angeles, CA Passport near San Antonio, TX Passport near Las Vegas, NV Passport near Cincinnati, OH Passport near St Louis, MO Passport near Rochester, NY Passport near Washington, DC Passport near Columbus, OH Passport near Miami, FL Passport near Milwaukee, WI Passport near Syracuse, NY Passport near Austin, TX Passport near Cleveland, OH
Questions
Where do I apply for a passport near me?
Search PassportMap by city, address, or ZIP. Pins are acceptance facilities — post offices, libraries, and local offices — that take Form DS-11 in person. They are not regional passport agencies.
Can I renew at a passport acceptance facility?
No. Acceptance facilities take new applications only. If you qualify, renew by mail or online. Use an acceptance facility when you must apply in person, such as a first passport, a child, or a lost, stolen, or damaged passport.
How long does a new passport take?
Routine processing is 4–6 weeks after the State Department receives the application, and expedited processing is 2–3 weeks for an extra $60. Mailing can add up to two weeks in each direction.
How much does a first adult passport book cost?
A first adult passport book is $130 to the Department of State plus a $35 acceptance fee paid to the facility. A book and card together are $160 plus $35. Confirm the current fee chart before you apply.
PassportMap is not the U.S. Department of State. Fees, forms, and processing times change. Confirm them on travel.state.gov before you apply or mail a renewal. Figures on this page were checked in September 2026.