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First U.S. passport answers

New Passport FAQs

Clear answers on getting your first U.S. passport fast: speeds, fees, Form DS-11, documents and the one in-person step, backed by official State Department sources.

Reviewed by Philip Diack, FounderĀ· Updated October 22, 2026Ā· 30 questionsĀ· Official sources linked

Your new passport: speed & price
+ $216.87 government fee plus the $35 acceptance fee paid where you sign
Business days, from when we receive your documents
Start my new passport ā†’
Since 1992500K+ travelers servedPrivate company, not a government agency
New passport questions: quick answers
How fast can I get a new passport?
With us, as fast as 3-4 Days, counted in business days from when we receive your signed application.
Full answer ā†“
How much does a new passport cost?
Three parts: our service fee (Emergency $449, Rush $349, Priority $249, Essential $199), the government fee ($216.87) and a $35 acceptance fee where you sign.
Full answer ā†“
How do I get a new passport with your service?
Order online, sign your DS-11 in person in about 15 minutes, send it to us, and we do the rest.
Full answer ā†“
Who needs to apply with Form DS-11?
Anyone getting a first passport, plus anyone who canā€™t renew.
Full answer ā†“
What documents do I need for a passport application?
Proof of U.S. citizenship, a photo ID, photocopies of both, one passport photo and the DS-11 we prepare.
Full answer ā†“
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.
Full answer ā†“
Do it yourself
Fill in Form DS-11, sign it in person, 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 prepare your DS-11 and check every document before you sign. You sign in person in about 15 minutes and send it to us, and our courier takes it to a passport agency, as fast as 3-4 Days.
Let us handle my new passport ā†’
From $199 + government fee

How fast can you get a new passport?

How fast can I get a new passport?

With us, as fast as 3-4 Days, counted in business days from when we receive your signed application.

Our speeds are Emergency 3-4 days, Rush 6 days, Priority 8 days, Essential 12 days. Every speed includes preparing your DS-11, checking your documents before you sign, courier submission to a passport agency and tracked overnight return. The sooner you sign and send your application to us, the sooner your passport is back.

What is the fastest way to get a passport for the first time?

Use an expedited passport service that couriers your application to a passport agency.

Get your documents together first: a certified birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, and a photo ID. We prepare your DS-11 and check everything, you sign in person in about 15 minutes, and our fastest speed, Emergency Expedited, returns your passport in 3-4 Days from when we receive it.

Can I expedite my first-time passport?

Yes. First passports can be expedited at the same speeds as renewals.

A first passport uses Form DS-11 and needs one in-person signing, but after that it moves just as fast: Emergency 3-4 days, Rush 6 days, Priority 8 days, Essential 12 days. The government fee we show already includes the State Departmentā€™s own expedite fee.

How long does a first passport take right now?

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

Those times start when your application arrives and donā€™t include transit in either direction, so a routine first passport can take two months door to door. Through us, your application is couriered to a passport agency instead, as fast as 3-4 Days.

Can I get a passport in 2ā€“3 days or the same day?

Our fastest speed is 3-4 Days; same-day passports are issued only by the government, in person, for travelers who qualify.

For most first-time applicants, Emergency Expedited is the fastest realistic route, with no waiting for a government opening. If you fly sooner than 3-4 Days, call us at 800-860-8610 before you order so we can tell you honestly whatā€™s possible for your date.

How far ahead of my trip should I apply for my first passport?

As soon as you book. Many countries also require 6 months of validity beyond your stay.

A new adult passport is valid for 10 years, so thereā€™s no downside to applying early. If your trip is already close, choose a faster speed: with us it takes days, not weeks.

Need it fast? Our fastest speed gets your first passport to you in 3-4 Days.See new passport speeds ā†’

New passport cost and fees

How much does a new passport cost?

Three parts: our service fee (Emergency $449, Rush $349, Priority $249, Essential $199), the government fee ($216.87) and a $35 acceptance fee where you sign.

Our service fee depends on the speed you choose. The government fee goes to the U.S. Department of State and already includes its expedite fee and 1ā€“2 day return delivery. The $35 acceptance fee is paid at the acceptance facility when you sign. You see our fee and the government fee before you pay.

What is the government fee for a first passport?

For an adult passport book with expedited service, itā€™s $216.87, plus the $35 acceptance fee.

The government fee is made up of the State Departmentā€™s $130 application fee, its $60 expedite fee and its 1ā€“2 day return delivery fee. The separate $35 acceptance fee is paid where you sign your DS-11.

Why do I pay a fee where I sign?

The $35 acceptance fee pays the acceptance facility for witnessing your signature and checking your ID.

Every DS-11 is signed in front of an acceptance agent, such as at a post office or county clerkā€™s office, and the facility charges the governmentā€™s $35 acceptance fee for that. Itā€™s separate from our service fee and the State Departmentā€™s fee.

How much does a passport card cost?

A passport card has its own, lower government fee, and adding one to a book application costs extra.

The card is cheaper than a book but only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. If youā€™ll fly abroad, you need the book. Tell us when you order if you want both and weā€™ll include the card on your DS-11.

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

How our new passport service works

How do I get a new passport with your service?

Order online, sign your DS-11 in person in about 15 minutes, send it to us, and we do the rest.

First, answer a few questions and choose your speed; it takes about 10 minutes. Second, we prepare your DS-11 and check your documents. Third, you sign in person at an acceptance facility, then send the application to us with our prepaid overnight label. Our courier takes it to a passport agency and your passport comes back by tracked overnight delivery.

What do you do, and what do I do?

We prepare, check, submit and track. You sign in person once and send the application to us.

We prepare your DS-11, review your documents and photo against the State Departmentā€™s rules, and coordinate courier submission to a passport agency and tracked return. You sign the DS-11 in front of an acceptance agent, which takes about 15 minutes, and send everything to us. The government fee is $216.87, plus the $35 acceptance fee. Approval is always the State Departmentā€™s decision.

Do I have to apply in person for my first passport?

Yes, once. Your DS-11 is signed in front of an acceptance agent, which takes about 15 minutes.

This in-person signing is required by law for every first passport. Everything else, from preparing your form to courier submission and tracked return, we handle.

Where do I sign my DS-11?

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

Bring your unsigned DS-11, your proof of citizenship, your photo ID with photocopies, and your photo. Donā€™t sign the form beforehand: the agent must watch you sign it. We tell you exactly what to bring.

What happens after I sign my application?

You send it to us with our prepaid overnight label, and our courier takes it to a passport agency.

Once it reaches us we check it again, then our courier submits it to a passport agency at the speed you chose. Your passport comes back by tracked overnight delivery, and your citizenship document is returned too, sometimes separately.

We prepare your DS-11 and check everything before your 15-minute signing.Start my new passport ā†’

Who needs a new passport with Form DS-11?

Who needs to apply with Form DS-11?

Anyone getting a first passport, plus anyone who canā€™t renew.

That includes people whose last passport was issued before they turned 16, was issued more than 15 years ago, or was lost, stolen or damaged, and anyone whose name changed without a document to prove it. Everyone else can usually renew with Form DS-82, with no in-person step.

I had a passport as a child. Do I need a new one or a renewal?

A new one. A passport issued before you turned 16 canā€™t be renewed, so you apply with Form DS-11.

Child passports are valid for 5 years and are replaced with a new DS-11 application. From 16 you get a 10-year adult passport, which you can renew later with Form DS-82.

My passport expired more than 15 years ago. Can I renew it?

No. If it was issued more than 15 years ago, you apply with Form DS-11 instead.

What counts is the issue date. Bring your old passport anyway, along with your proof of citizenship and ID, because it helps confirm your identity. With us it moves at the same speeds as any other passport.

What disqualifies you from getting a passport?

Mainly not being able to prove U.S. citizenship and identity, plus a few legal holds.

Passports can also be denied for unpaid child support over $2,500, certain federal warrants or court orders, seriously delinquent federal tax debt, or an unpaid government repatriation loan. Most first-time applicants simply need the right citizenship document and photo ID, which we check before you sign.

Can I apply for my first passport online?

No. First passports canā€™t be applied for online; Form DS-11 must be signed in person.

The State Departmentā€™s online option is only for some routine renewals. For a first passport, we prepare your DS-11 online, you sign it in person in about 15 minutes, and our courier handles the rest, as fast as 3-4 Days.

Not sure which form you need? We work it out when you order.Start my new passport ā†’

New passport documents and photo

What documents do I need for a passport application?

Proof of U.S. citizenship, a photo ID, photocopies of both, one passport photo and the DS-11 we prepare.

Bring the originals and a photocopy of the front and back of each. Leave the DS-11 unsigned until youā€™re in front of the acceptance agent. For our expedited service, include a copy of your trip itinerary. We check everything before you sign.

What counts as proof of U.S. citizenship?

Usually a certified U.S. birth certificate; a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or naturalization certificate also works.

A birth certificate must be the certified copy from the city, county or state vital records office, with your full name, date and place of birth, your parentsā€™ names, the registrarā€™s signature and a seal. Hospital and souvenir certificates arenā€™t accepted.

What if I donā€™t have my birth certificate?

Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born.

Most states let you order online, and some offer expedited copies. If no birth record exists, the State Department accepts a letter of no record together with early public records, such as a baptismal or school record. Tell us your situation and weā€™ll confirm what to send.

What ID do I need to apply for a passport?

A valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driverā€™s license, plus a photocopy of the front and back.

Other accepted IDs include a previous U.S. passport, a military ID and a naturalization certificate. If your ID is from another state than the one you apply in, bring a second ID as well. We tell you exactly what works for you.

What are the passport photo requirements?

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken in the last 6 months, on a plain white or off-white background.

Face the camera with a neutral expression or a natural smile and both eyes open. No glasses, no hats or head coverings unless for religious or medical reasons, and no filters or edits. We check your photo before you sign so it doesnā€™t hold up the application.

Will I get my birth certificate back?

Yes. Your citizenship document is returned to you, sometimes separately from your passport.

The State Department returns original citizenship documents after processing. They sometimes arrive in a separate envelope from your new passport, so donā€™t worry if they arenā€™t together.

Most delays come from a document or photo problem. We check yours before you sign.Get my documents checked ā†’

First passport: travel and special cases

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 passport card is wallet-sized and valid for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, but not international flights. Most people need the book. You can apply for both on the same DS-11.

Do I need a passport to fly within the U.S.?

No. A REAL ID-compliant driverā€™s license works for domestic flights, though a passport is also accepted.

If your license isnā€™t REAL ID-compliant, a passport book or passport card lets you fly within the U.S. For international flights you need a passport book.

Can a 16- or 17-year-old get an adult passport?

Yes. At 16 or 17 you get a 10-year adult passport, applied for in person with Form DS-11.

A parent should show awareness of the application, for example by coming along or giving a signed note with a copy of their ID. Under 16, itā€™s a child passport, which needs both parentsā€™ consent; see our child passport page.

Can you help if Iā€™m not a U.S. citizen?

U.S. passports are only for U.S. citizens.

Green card holders become eligible after naturalizing; until then you travel on your own countryā€™s passport, which its embassy or consulate issues. We can still help with your trip: we handle visas for travelers of any nationality.

Traveling soon? Pick the speed that gets your passport back in time.Choose my speed ā†’
Need your new 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 new passport ā†’
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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.