Standard New Passport Expert Consulting Passport Detailed Requirements
Please scroll down to view all the NEW passport requirements.
FIRST, review below on the documents needed to apply for a new passport. Once understood, upload your documents to our New Passport Pre-Check for an expert review by your Account Manager of your documents and creation of your Passport Application (DS-11).
SECOND, Once your application is reviewed and signed off, the next step is making an appointment at a local Passport Acceptance Facility (your account manager will guide you through this)
THIRD, once you have an appointment and have approved application documents, then present yourself at your Passport Acceptance Agent appointment.
1Required Documents
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Completed Passport Application (DS-11)
Complete our New Passport DS11 creation and precheck review form to create your DS-11 NEW pasport Application.
REQUIRED: Social Security Number MUST be entered on application. If you have never been issued a SSN, please submit a signed statement. You may view a sample statement here.
NOTE: Please verify the application will have two barcodes, one on the left side and one on the bottom right side.
NOTE: Please do not sign the DS-11 until you are instructed to during STEP 2 (Authorization).
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Proof of U.S. Citizenship
To prove your US Citizenship, you must provide ONE of the following:
- Original Certified Birth Certificate issued by city, county or state (We strongly recommend a Long Form Birth Certificate which lists BOTH parent's names) AND a copy of the birth certificate OR;
- a previous US passport book/card OR;
- If you were born outside of the United States, you'll need to provide a naturalization certificate or additional requirements for Proof of Citizenship for those born outside the US.
NOTE: A copy of your Birth Certificate will be required along with your original.
NOTE: If your previous 10-year passport and/or passport card is damaged or mutilated, please include a signed, DETAILD statement explaining the condition of your passport book/card. The damaged/mutilated passport book/card will be retained and destroyed by the US Department of State.
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Proof of Identity
You will be required to present a valid Driver's License with photo that must have been issued greater than 6 months ago.
Make sure the acceptance agent (Step 2) makes a copy and notes on the DS-11 that you presented your ID. If the license is not available, then you will need to supply several alternate Proof Of Identity.
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Passport Photo
You must provide two identical, recent 2 x 2 passport style photographs in color, front view and with a plain/white background with your passport application.
Using this service you can simply take a selfie and upload the photo to us via the PreCheck Form and we'll property size the photo and approve the photo as suitable for a compliant passport photo.
General US Passport Photo Requirements:
- Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.
- You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
- Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis
- Taken in the last 6 months
- Use a plain white or off-white background
- Be sized correctly
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Printed in color on matte or glossy photo quality paper
- You cannot wear glasses.
If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application.
- You cannot wear a hat or head covering.
If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.
If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.
Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.
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State Department Fees
Make One check payable to "US Department of State" for $130 (this is the government processing fee) OR for $190 for processing a few weeks faster.
Be sure to include your date of birth on the check.
Starter checks and 3rd party checks will NOT be accepted and will cause delays.
If you have selected to also purchase a passport card, an additional $30 for adults 16 and older (or an additional $15 for children 15 and younger) should be included in your check to US Department of State.
-
Complete DS11 Creation and PreCheck Form
Now that you have gathered the FIVE items above, you'll complete the New Passport DS11 creation Pre-Check form for an expert review by your Account Manager of your documents and creation of your Passport Application (DS-11).
2Acceptance Agency
Visit a Local Passport Acceptance Facility
Once you have gathered the documents specified above, you'll bring them to a Passport Acceptance Facility.
Your Account Manager is an expert at finding appointments and will work with you to find an appopriate appointment on your behalf.
Once the appointment is made, then simply go to your appointment to present your application documents.
1Gather US Passport Application Documentation
1. Completed Passport Application (DS-11)
Complete our New Passport DS11 creation and precheck review form to create your DS-11 NEW pasport Application.
REQUIRED: Social Security Number MUST be entered on application. If you have never been issued a SSN, please submit a signed statement. You may view a sample statement here.
NOTE: Please verify the application will have two barcodes, one on the left side and one on the bottom right side.
NOTE: Please do not sign the DS-11 until you are instructed to during STEP 2 (Authorization).
1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
To prove your US Citizenship, you must provide ONE of the following:
- Original Certified Birth Certificate issued by city, county or state (We strongly recommend a Long Form Birth Certificate which lists BOTH parent's names) AND a copy of the birth certificate OR;
- a previous US passport book/card OR;
- If you were born outside of the United States, you'll need to provide a naturalization certificate or additional requirements for Proof of Citizenship for those born outside the US.
NOTE: A copy of your Birth Certificate will be required along with your original.
NOTE: If your previous 10-year passport and/or passport card is damaged or mutilated, please include a signed, DETAILD statement explaining the condition of your passport book/card. The damaged/mutilated passport book/card will be retained and destroyed by the US Department of State.
1. Proof of Identity
You will be required to present a valid Driver's License with photo that must have been issued greater than 6 months ago.
Make sure the acceptance agent (Step 2) makes a copy and notes on the DS-11 that you presented your ID. If the license is not available, then you will need to supply several alternate Proof Of Identity.
1. Passport Photo
You must provide two identical, recent 2 x 2 passport style photographs in color, front view and with a plain/white background with your passport application.
Using this service you can simply take a selfie and upload the photo to us via the PreCheck Form and we'll property size the photo and approve the photo as suitable for a compliant passport photo.
General US Passport Photo Requirements:
- Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.
- You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
- Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis
- Taken in the last 6 months
- Use a plain white or off-white background
- Be sized correctly
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Printed in color on matte or glossy photo quality paper
- You cannot wear glasses.
If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application.
- You cannot wear a hat or head covering.
If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.
If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.
Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.
1. State Department Fees
Make One check payable to "US Department of State" for $130 (this is the government processing fee) OR for $190 for processing a few weeks faster.
Be sure to include your date of birth on the check.
Starter checks and 3rd party checks will NOT be accepted and will cause delays.
If you have selected to also purchase a passport card, an additional $30 for adults 16 and older (or an additional $15 for children 15 and younger) should be included in your check to US Department of State.
1. Complete DS11 Creation and PreCheck Form
Now that you have gathered the FIVE items above, you'll complete the New Passport DS11 creation Pre-Check form for an expert review by your Account Manager of your documents and creation of your Passport Application (DS-11).
2 Application Authorized by Acceptance Agent
2. Verify Application Documents
Verify that you have collected the following documents and uploaded them for our Document Pre-Check review prior to visiting the acceptance agent (Post Office or Clerk of the Court)
- Passport Application Form (completed online)
- Proof of Citizenship
- Proof of Identity
- Two Passport Photographs
- $ 130 Check to US Department of State + $35 Fees for the Acceptance Agent. (**If you have selected to also purchase a passport card, an additional $30 for adults 16 and older (or an additional $15 for children 15 and younger) should be included in your check to US Department of State.)
2. Acceptance Agent - Authorization
Bring all of the above original documents to a. Passport Acceptance Facility (click here) Child applicants must be present with legal guardians for this in-person appearance.
Most facilities are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Click here to find a convenient Passport Acceptance Facility.
The US Post Office is a common Passport Acceptance Facility. A number of these locations require appointments; if your local post office requires an appointment click here to schedule an appointment.
The acceptance agent will take about 10 minutes to go through the following steps:
- To verify identity, the agent will request your proof of identity.
- The agent will ask you to sign your passport application (DS-11) and then sign and seal it themselves.
- The agent will seal all documents in an envelope and "stamp it"