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U.S. passport answers

U.S. Passport FAQ

Clear answers on U.S. passports: who can get one, which form to use, what it costs, how long it takes and the travel rules, backed by official State Department sources.

Reviewed by Philip Diack, FounderĀ· Updated October 22, 2026Ā· 31 questionsĀ· Official sources linked

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Passport questions: quick answers
What is a U.S. passport?
The travel document, issued by the U.S. Department of State, that proves your identity and U.S. citizenship abroad.
Full answer ā†“
Who is eligible for a U.S. passport?
U.S. citizens and U.S. non-citizen nationals.
Full answer ā†“
How do I apply for a U.S. passport?
It depends on your situation: Form DS-11 in person, or Form DS-82 with no in-person visit.
Full answer ā†“
How much does a U.S. passport cost?
The government fee with expedited service is $216.87 for an adult and $186.87 for a child under 16.
Full answer ā†“
What is the 6-month rule for passports?
Many countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months beyond your stay.
Full answer ā†“
What is the Childrenā€™s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)?
A free State Department program that alerts a parent if a passport is applied for on behalf of their child.
Full answer ā†“
Do it yourself
Work out the right form, gather your documents, pay the State Department and wait. Routine processing currently takes 4ā€“6 weeks, or 2ā€“3 weeks expedited, plus shipping each way.
Let us handle it
We work out the right form, prepare it and check every document, then courier your application to a passport agency, as fast as 3-4 Days, with tracked return.
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Passport FAQs by service

Detailed answers for each passport situation.

U.S. passport forms reference

What each passport form is for, with step-by-step guides.

Form DS-11 ā†’

First passports, children under 16, and lost, stolen or damaged passports. Signed in person.

Form DS-82 ā†’

Adult renewals for passports issued in the last 15 years. No in-person visit.

Form DS-5504 ā†’

Name changes within a year of issue, and corrections to printing errors.

Form DS-64 ā†’

Reports a lost or stolen passport so it canā€™t be used.

Form DS-3053 ā†’

Notarized consent from a parent who canā€™t attend a childā€™s passport signing.

Form DS-5525 ā†’

Special family circumstances when a parentā€™s consent canā€™t be obtained.

Form DS-86 ā†’

Sends extra documents when the State Department asks for them.

All passport forms ā†’

The full library of U.S. passport forms, explained.

U.S. passport basics

What is a U.S. passport?

The travel document, issued by the U.S. Department of State, that proves your identity and U.S. citizenship abroad.

It lets you enter other countries and return to the U.S. Adult passports are valid for 10 years; passports issued to children under 16 are valid for 5 years.

What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?

The book works for all international travel; the card only for land and sea travel to nearby countries.

The wallet-sized card is valid for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, but not international flights, and it costs less than a book. Most travelers need the book; some get both.

How long is a U.S. passport valid?

10 years for adults, 5 years for children under 16.

A second passport is usually valid for 4 years, and emergency passports issued abroad can be valid for less. The expiry date is on the data page. Remember many countries need 6 months of validity left when you arrive.

Can I travel internationally without a passport?

For international flights, no. A few land, sea and cruise trips accept other documents.

Closed-loop cruises that start and end at the same U.S. port can accept a birth certificate with photo ID, and a passport card works for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Check your destination and cruise lineā€™s rules before you book.

How early should I apply for a passport before international travel?

As soon as you book, and earlier if youā€™ll travel more than once in the next year.

The State Department currently quotes 4ā€“6 weeks routine or 2ā€“3 weeks expedited, plus shipping each way. If your trip is closer than that, an expediting service like ours gets your passport back as fast as 3-4 Days.

Need a passport fast? See our speeds for every passport type.See passport services ā†’

Passport eligibility and proof of citizenship

Who is eligible for a U.S. passport?

U.S. citizens and U.S. non-citizen nationals.

You can be a citizen by birth in the U.S., by birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, or through naturalization. You prove it with a certified birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, naturalization certificate or previous U.S. passport.

I was born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. How do I prove citizenship?

Usually with your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240).

If your birth wasnā€™t registered with a U.S. embassy or consulate, you can apply with your foreign birth certificate, evidence of your parentā€™s U.S. citizenship at the time of your birth and your parentsā€™ marriage certificate. The State Department decides the citizenship claim. Tell us your situation and weā€™ll confirm what to send.

What if there is no birth record on file for me?

Get a letter of no record from your birth state and add early public records.

Early records include a baptismal or hospital birth record, census or school records, or affidavits from older relatives. Together with the letter of no record, they can prove birth in the U.S.

Iā€™m a naturalized citizen. What do I need for a passport?

Your original Certificate of Naturalization, which is returned to you.

If the certificate is lost or damaged, you request a replacement from USCIS on Form N-565 before you apply, which can take months, so plan ahead.

Can dual citizens get a U.S. passport?

Yes. U.S. citizens who hold another nationality apply the same way.

You must leave and enter the U.S. on your U.S. passport. Your other passport can be used for travel to and from that country.

Can green card holders get a U.S. passport?

No. A U.S. passport is only for citizens and nationals.

Permanent residents become eligible after naturalizing; until then you travel on your own countryā€™s passport. We can help with visas for travelers of any nationality.

Not sure what proves your citizenship? We check your documents before anything is submitted.See passport services ā†’

Passport forms and how to apply

How do I apply for a U.S. passport?

It depends on your situation: Form DS-11 in person, or Form DS-82 with no in-person visit.

First passports, children under 16 and lost, stolen or damaged passports use Form DS-11, signed in person. Adults with a passport issued in the last 15 years, at 16 or older, usually renew with Form DS-82. Recent name changes and printing errors use Form DS-5504, and lost or stolen passports are reported on Form DS-64. We work out the right form and prepare it for you.

What is the difference between Form DS-11 and Form DS-82?

DS-11 is signed in person; DS-82 is a renewal with no in-person visit.

DS-82 works if your most recent passport was issued in the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older, is undamaged and in your current name (or you can document the change). Everyone else uses DS-11. Both can be expedited at the same speeds with us.

Where do I get a passport application form?

From the State Departmentā€™s website or an acceptance facility; with us, we prepare it for you.

Always use the current version of each form, because older versions can be rejected. Our forms library below explains each one.

Where do I sign a passport application in person?

At a passport acceptance facility, such as a post office, county clerkā€™s office or public library.

There are thousands nationwide. The agent witnesses your signature and checks your ID, which takes about 15 minutes. With our service, you then send the application to us and our courier takes it to a passport agency.

Do I have to give my Social Security number on a passport application?

Yes. Federal law requires it if you have one.

Leaving it off can delay or stop your application, and the IRS can apply a penalty. If youā€™ve never been issued a Social Security number, you state that on the application instead.

Skip the guesswork: we pick the right form and prepare it for you.Start my passport ā†’

Passport fees and processing times

How much does a U.S. passport cost?

The government fee with expedited service is $216.87 for an adult and $186.87 for a child under 16.

In-person applications on Form DS-11 also pay a $35 acceptance fee where you sign. With our service, our fee is Emergency $449, Rush $349, Priority $249, Essential $199, depending on speed, and you see every fee before you pay.

What is the current processing time for a U.S. passport?

The State Department currently quotes 4ā€“6 weeks routine or 2ā€“3 weeks expedited, plus shipping each way.

With an expediting service like ours, your application is couriered to a passport agency instead, and our speeds are Emergency 3-4 days, Rush 6 days, Priority 8 days, Essential 12 days.

What is the $35 acceptance fee?

The fee the acceptance facility charges for witnessing your signature on Form DS-11.

Itā€™s paid where you sign and is separate from the State Departmentā€™s fee. Renewals on Form DS-82 and name changes on Form DS-5504 donā€™t pay it.

Are passport fees refundable?

The application and acceptance fees arenā€™t, even if an application is denied.

The State Department can refund its $60 expedite fee if it didnā€™t actually expedite your application. Thatā€™s why getting the application right first time matters; we check yours before anything is submitted.

Can I pay passport fees with a credit card?

It depends where you pay: acceptance facilities set their own rules for the $35 fee.

With our service, our fee is paid by card online, and we tell you exactly how the government fee is paid for your application.

Our fee and the government fee are shown separately before you pay.See passport prices ā†’

Passport travel rules

What is the 6-month rule for passports?

Many countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months beyond your stay.

Airlines check it at check-in and can refuse boarding. Check your destinationā€™s rule before you book, and if your passport falls short, renew now: with us, as fast as 3-4 Days.

Do I need blank pages in my passport?

Yes. Many countries require at least one or two blank pages for entry stamps.

The State Department no longer adds pages, so a full passport needs replacing. Frequent travelers can ask for the larger 52-page book when they renew.

Can I use a passport card to fly internationally?

No. The card is only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

For any international flight you need the passport book. The card is handy as a backup ID and for frequent border crossings.

Is a REAL ID the same as a passport?

No. A REAL ID works for domestic flights, but not for international travel.

A passport book or card is also accepted for domestic flights, so if your license isnā€™t REAL ID-compliant, your passport covers you. For international flights you need the passport book.

Do I need a visa as well as a passport?

It depends on where youā€™re going and your nationality.

Many countries let U.S. citizens visit visa-free for short stays, while others need a visa, eVisa or electronic travel authorization before you fly. We handle visas for travelers of any nationality, for destinations worldwide.

Passport running short of validity or pages? Get a new one as fast as 3-4 Days.See passport services ā†’

Special passport situations

What is the Childrenā€™s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)?

A free State Department program that alerts a parent if a passport is applied for on behalf of their child.

It can also stop a passport being issued when a court order restricting the childā€™s travel is on file. Itā€™s designed to help prevent international parental child abduction.

How does a parent sign a childā€™s passport application?

Parents sign Form DS-11 in front of the acceptance agent; children under 16 donā€™t sign.

Both parents usually attend, or one sends a notarized Form DS-3053. See our child passport FAQs for the full consent rules.

Can I apply for a U.S. passport from outside the U.S.?

Yes, at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Each embassy and consulate sets its own process, and processing usually takes longer than at home. For urgent travel, embassies can issue limited-validity emergency passports.

What are official and diplomatic passports?

Special passports issued to U.S. government employees and diplomats for official travel.

Regular passports have a blue cover, official passports maroon and diplomatic passports black. Theyā€™re issued through the employeeā€™s agency, not to the public.

Can I have two U.S. passports?

Yes, with a real travel need, such as keeping one while the other is held for a visa.

A second passport is usually valid for 4 years and needs a signed letter explaining the need. See our second passport FAQs for the details.

Special situation? Call us at 800-860-8610 and weā€™ll tell you exactly what you need.See passport services ā†’
Need your passport fast?
We prepare your application, check every document before itā€™s submitted, and courier it to a passport agency, as fast as 3ā€“4 days.
Start my passport ā†’
PassportsAndVisas.com is a private company and is not a government agency. Government fees are set by the U.S. Department of State and are shown separately from our service fee.