- First-time adult applicants pay $165 total (book) and must apply in person using Form DS-11 at an authorized acceptance facility.
- As of 2026, eligible adults aged 25+ can renew entirely online at opr.travel.state.gov with no mailing required.
- Routine processing takes 4-6 weeks (8-10 weeks total with mail); expedite for $60 extra cuts that to 2-3 weeks.
A U.S. passport is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 180 countries. Whether you are traveling internationally for the first time, renewing an expiring document, or getting a passport for your child, the application process has specific requirements that must be met precisely. Missing a document, signing the form too early, or submitting the wrong photo can delay your application by weeks.
This complete 2026 guide covers every step of the U.S. passport application process, from choosing the right form to tracking your application after submission. The information below reflects the most current fees, processing times, and procedures from the U.S. Department of State as of April 2026, including the fully launched online renewal portal and REAL ID enforcement updates.
The State Department has flagged a record-high passport demand surge in 2026. If you have travel coming up within the next three months, it is worth reading every section carefully, especially the expedited options and urgent appointment procedures. Missing a deadline because of a processing delay is one of the most preventable travel disruptions.
Passport Application Advisor Tool
Answer three quick questions to get a personalized passport recommendation: which form to use, your total cost, the service level you need, and your application deadline based on your travel date.
Passport Book vs. Passport Card: Which Do You Need?
Before starting your application, you need to decide whether to apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both. The distinction matters because they have different travel uses, sizes, and costs, and you can apply for both on the same application at a discounted combined rate.
For most applicants, the passport book is the essential document since it is required for all international air travel. The passport card is a useful wallet-sized supplement if you frequently cross into Canada or Mexico by land or sea, or if you simply want a compact backup for domestic flights. Applying for both at the same time saves you $35 on the execution fee compared to applying separately.
Step-by-Step: First-Time Adult Applicants (Age 16+)
First-time adult applicants must apply in person at an authorized acceptance facility. There is no online or mail option for a first-time application. The process cannot be completed by a third party on your behalf, and the form cannot be signed before you are in front of the passport acceptance agent. Follow these steps carefully to avoid rejection or delays.
Use the State Department’s digital form filler to complete DS-11 on your computer, then print it. Filling it digitally avoids handwriting errors and produces a cleaner, machine-readable application.
- Enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your citizenship document, including middle name
- Print on plain white 8.5×11 paper, single-sided only; double-sided prints are rejected
- Do not fold, staple, or punch holes in the printed form
You must bring one original citizenship document. The State Department accepts exactly the following. Nothing else qualifies, and photocopies alone will not be accepted.
You need a valid, government-issued physical photo ID. Digital IDs shown on a smartphone are not accepted under any circumstances.
You must submit paper photocopies of your citizenship document and your photo ID alongside the originals. These copies are kept by the facility; they are not returned.
- Photocopy your citizenship document: full page, same size, 100% scale; do not crop or reduce
- Photocopy both sides of your photo ID, ideally on the same sheet of paper
- Paper must be standard 8.5×11 white, printed single-sided
- Copies must be clear and legible; a blurry or faded photocopy will be rejected
Passport photos are rejected more often than any other single document. The 2026 guidelines add strict enforcement against AI-enhanced or filter-edited photos. Get this right before your appointment.
- Size: exactly 2×2 inches (51x51mm) printed on matte or glossy photo paper
- Head size: 1 to 1-3/8 inches from chin to top of head; the face must fill 70-80% of the frame
- Background: plain white or off-white only; no grey, no patterns, no shadows
- Expression: neutral, both eyes fully open, mouth closed, looking directly at camera
- Glasses: must be removed entirely; exceptions require a signed, dated statement from a licensed doctor
- Editing: no AI enhancement, beauty mode, skin smoothing, lighting correction, or filter of any kind; explicitly enforced in 2026
- Recency: taken within the past 6 months; an older photo will be rejected even if your appearance is unchanged
There are over 7,000 authorized acceptance facilities across the country. Use the official State Department locator; do not rely on a general web search, as not every post office or library location accepts applications on every day.
- Accepted facility types: most U.S. Post Offices, public libraries, county clerks of court, and some government offices
- Many locations only accept passport applications 2-3 days per week, and only during specific morning hours; verify before going
- Confirm the facility accepts the payment type you plan to use for the $35 execution fee (cash, card, or money order varies by location)
- Ask about current wait times for appointments; some locations book out 2-3 weeks during peak travel season (March through August)
Plan for 15-30 minutes. Bring everything below; missing any single item means you cannot complete the application that day and will need to rebook.
- Completed, unsigned Form DS-11
- Original citizenship document
- Physical photo ID
- Photocopies of both
- Passport photo (loose, not attached)
- Two separate payments (see below)
- Agent reviews all documents
- Agent asks you to sign DS-11 in person
- Agent collects all materials and fees
- Your citizenship doc is returned immediately
- You receive a tracking receipt
Your application goes from the acceptance facility to a State Department processing center. Status does not appear immediately; allow up to two weeks after your appointment before checking.
- You will need: last name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your SSN
- Processing time begins when the State Department receives your application, not when you submitted at the facility; mail transit adds up to 2 weeks
- Your passport arrives by USPS Priority Mail (free) or 1-3 day Express Mail if you paid the $22.05 upgrade at your appointment
- Track the delivery separately using the USPS tracking number sent to your email when the passport ships
- Need to follow up? Call 1-877-487-2778 (National Passport Information Center) or email [email protected]
2026 Passport Fees: Complete Breakdown
The U.S. Department of State updated its official fee chart on February 10, 2026. No fee increases were introduced at that update, so the figures below reflect current costs. Note that first-time applicants and minor applicants pay two separate fees: one to the State Department and one execution (acceptance) fee to the facility where they apply.
Payment methods depend on where you apply. At acceptance facilities, the State Department fee must be paid by check or money order (payable to “U.S. Department of State”) and the execution fee is paid separately to the facility, often in cash. At passport agencies, you can pay with credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Online renewals accept credit or debit cards only. No cash is accepted anywhere for State Department fees.
How to Renew Your U.S. Passport in 2026
Adults renewing a passport have two self-service options in 2026: mail renewal using Form DS-82, or the fully launched online portal at opr.travel.state.gov. Both skip the $35 execution fee entirely. If you do not qualify for either, you must reapply in person with Form DS-11 as though applying for the first time. The eligibility check below takes 30 seconds and tells you exactly which path you are on.
Use the digital filler on the State Department website to complete DS-82 on your computer, then print and sign it. Unlike DS-11 for first-timers, you must sign this form yourself before it goes in the envelope.
- Enter your name exactly as it appears on your current passport, not your legal name if it has since changed (add a name-change doc if needed)
- Print single-sided on plain white 8.5×11 paper; do not print double-sided
- Sign and date the form before placing it in the envelope
You need one 2×2-inch photo meeting all current State Department requirements. The attachment method here is different from the first-time process.
- Same size and quality requirements apply: 2×2 inches, white background, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months, no glasses, no AI filters
- Staple the photo to the top-left area of page 1 of DS-82 at the four corners only; do not use tape, glue, or paper clips
- Do not write on the back of the photo before attaching it
Everything below goes into the same envelope. Missing any required item causes the application to be returned unprocessed, adding weeks to your timeline.
Decide between routine (4-6 weeks processing) and expedited (2-3 weeks processing) before sealing the envelope. You cannot switch service levels after mailing.
- Routine service: no additional fee. Use if your travel is 10+ weeks away (adds 8-10 weeks total with mail transit)
- Expedited service (+$60): write a separate check or money order for $60 payable to “U.S. Department of State.” Write “EXPEDITE” in large letters on the outside of the envelope and on your $60 check. Use if travel is 6-8 weeks out (adds 6-7 weeks total)
- 1-3 day return shipping (+$22.05): optional add-on. Write a separate money order for $22.05 if you want Express Mail delivery of your new passport
Only USPS is accepted. FedEx, UPS, and DHL cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes and your envelope will be returned undelivered. The correct mailing address depends on your state and service level.
Mail renewal results in two separate mailings back to you: your new passport, and your cancelled old passport returned independently. Do not be alarmed if they arrive weeks apart.
- Status appears on the tracking portal roughly 2 weeks after your envelope is received at the processing center, not from your mailing date
- Your new passport arrives by USPS Priority Mail (or Express Mail if you paid the upgrade); it includes a USPS tracking number in a delivery confirmation email
- Your cancelled old passport is mailed back separately in a plain envelope; it may arrive up to 4 weeks after your new passport
- For status questions or urgent follow-up, call 1-877-487-2778 or email [email protected]
Online renewal has additional restrictions beyond the standard DS-82 eligibility. All of the following must be true at the time of your application.
The State Department’s online renewal portal is at a single official URL. Third-party sites that claim to process online renewals charge inflated fees (sometimes $200+) for a service they cannot legally provide.
- You will be prompted to create an account or sign in using Login.gov or ID.me; both are free government identity verification services
- Have your Social Security number and current passport nearby when you start; you will need both during account verification
- The application itself takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete
The online form mirrors DS-82 but is fully digital. You fill it out in your browser; no printing, no handwriting.
- Enter your current passport number, issue date, and expiration date exactly as printed in your passport book
- Your name and sex marker must match your current passport exactly; changes require a different application path
- Provide an emergency contact and your mailing address (where your new passport will be sent)
- You can save your progress and return within the session; the portal does not save drafts across sessions
Online renewal uses a digital photo upload rather than a printed photo. The requirements overlap with print photos but add digital-specific specifications.
Payment is the last step before submission. After submitting, your current passport stays with you throughout the entire process.
- Fee: $130 (book), $30 (card), or $160 (both). No execution fee. Credit or debit card only; no checks, money orders, or cash
- Optional: add 1-3 day return shipping for $22.05 if you want your new passport delivered faster once processed
- Do NOT mail your current passport anywhere; keep it in your possession. This is the single most important operational difference from mail renewal
- After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email with your application reference number
The State Department communicates primarily by email for online renewal applications. Watch your inbox (including spam) after submitting.
- If the State Department needs additional information, you will receive an email with a 90-day window to respond; the application is closed if you do not reply in time
- You cannot upgrade to expedited processing after submitting an online renewal; if your travel plans change and you now need faster service, call 1-877-487-2778 immediately
- Your new passport arrives by USPS Priority Mail (or Express Mail if you paid the upgrade) with a tracking number emailed to you when it ships
- For all post-submission issues: call 1-877-487-2778 or email [email protected]
Applying for a Minor’s Passport (Under 16)
Children under 16 must apply in person using Form DS-11 with both parents or guardians present. Minor passports are valid for five years rather than the standard ten. There is no mail or online option for minors, and the process cannot be completed without at least one parent’s involvement. The dual-parent consent requirement is strictly enforced to prevent international parental abduction.
If one parent cannot attend in person, they must provide notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) along with a photocopy of their valid photo ID. The form must be notarized within the past three months. If one parent has sole custody, bring the relevant court order, death certificate, or birth certificate showing only one parent. When the other parent’s whereabouts are genuinely unknown, Form DS-5525 (Statement of Special Family Circumstances) is required.
Teens ages 16 and 17 apply with Form DS-11 in person, but only one parent needs to be present (not both). Their passports are valid for the standard 10 years.
Passport Photo Requirements (2026)
Passport photo rejections are one of the most common causes of application delays. The State Department has specific, non-negotiable requirements for photos, and the 2026 guidance adds explicit enforcement against AI-altered or filter-enhanced images.
The 2026 AI-altered photo policy is explicitly enforced. Photos edited with AI enhancement tools, smartphone beauty filters, or retouching software will be rejected outright, even if the alteration seems minor. This includes apps that smooth skin, enlarge eyes, or adjust lighting. When getting your photo taken at a pharmacy or retail location, ask the associate not to apply any digital edits to the image.
Processing Times and When to Apply in 2026
Passport processing times published by the State Department represent only the government’s processing window. You must add transit time (up to two weeks each way for mail) to get a realistic estimate of total turnaround. With a record-high 2026 demand surge flagged by the State Department, treating the published times as minimum estimates rather than guaranteed timelines is wise.
How to Get a Passport Fast: Urgent and Emergency Options
If your travel is within six weeks, standard mail processing will not be fast enough. The State Department offers two escalating paths depending on how soon you need to depart. Both involve booking an in-person appointment at one of the 26 regional passport agencies located in major U.S. cities.
For travel within 14 calendar days (or within 28 days if your destination requires a visa), you can book an appointment at a passport agency by calling 1-877-487-2778 or scheduling online at travel.state.gov. Walk-ins are not permitted at passport agencies; you must have an appointment. Bring proof of imminent travel such as a flight itinerary or booking confirmation. You still pay the $60 expedite fee on top of standard application fees. For those wondering about whether your passport number changes during renewal, it does; each new passport receives a unique document number.
For genuine life-or-death emergencies, the same-day appointment pathway exists for situations involving the death or critical illness of a close family member, or a life-threatening medical situation requiring international travel within 72 hours. Documentation such as a death certificate, hospital letter, or doctor’s statement must be presented at the agency. These appointments are limited and highly competitive during peak months.
Why Your U.S. Passport Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Beyond international travel, a U.S. passport has become increasingly valuable domestically. Since REAL ID enforcement went fully active in May 2025, travelers 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant document or a U.S. passport to board domestic flights and access federal facilities. Both the passport book and passport card remain fully valid for domestic flights after REAL ID, making them an ideal backup if your state-issued ID is not REAL ID-compliant.
Starting February 1, 2026, TSA introduced a $45 ConfirmID fee for travelers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID-compliant document. A U.S. passport eliminates this risk entirely. For travelers who also need to locate their travel document number for visa applications or airline check-in, it is printed in the upper-right corner of the personal data page of your passport book.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application
Every year, hundreds of thousands of passport applications are delayed or rejected for avoidable errors. The following are the most common mistakes applicants make, and how to avoid each one.
- Signing Form DS-11 before presenting it to the acceptance agent – The form is legally invalid if pre-signed. Print it, fill it out, but leave the signature blank until told to sign.
- Submitting an AI-filtered or beauty-mode photo – Explicitly rejected under 2026 policy. Use a professional passport photo service and ask them not to apply any digital editing.
- Using the wrong form – DS-11 is for first-time applicants. DS-82 is for eligible renewals by mail. Submitting DS-82 when you do not qualify (e.g., passport issued more than 15 years ago) results in rejection.
- Sending mail renewal via FedEx or UPS – Only USPS is accepted for DS-82 mail renewals. Other carriers will result in your application being returned unprocessed.
- Not including photocopies of your ID – Originals alone are not enough. You must also submit single-sided photocopies of both your citizenship evidence and your photo ID.
- Mailing your current passport with an online renewal – Online renewal specifically requires you to keep your passport. Do not mail it anywhere when using opr.travel.state.gov.
- Applying too late – Given 2026 demand surges and 8-10 week total timelines for routine processing, apply at least 10-12 weeks before international travel and even earlier during peak months (March through August).
Where to Apply: Acceptance Facilities and Passport Agencies
Acceptance facilities are the standard location for first-time applications and in-person renewals. There are over 7,000 nationwide, including U.S. post offices, public libraries, county clerks, and courthouses. Most require an appointment; use the locator at iafdb.travel.state.gov and call the facility directly to confirm hours and appointment availability before going. Note that while you need a passport or REAL ID for domestic flights, acceptance facilities can only process passport applications, not REAL ID upgrades.
Passport agencies and centers (there are 26 nationwide) are reserved for applicants with urgent or imminent travel needs. These are located in major metropolitan areas including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and Washington D.C. Appointments are required and can be booked via travel.state.gov or the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. Bring your flight itinerary or travel proof to your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I expedite my passport if I already applied?
If your application is already in the pipeline, call 1-877-487-2778 to request an upgrade to expedited processing. This is not guaranteed once an application is submitted, but the National Passport Information Center can sometimes redirect pending applications. If the application has already been processed, there is no way to accelerate it.
What if my passport is lost or stolen?
You must report a lost or stolen passport to the State Department immediately using Form DS-64. Once reported, the lost passport is invalid even if found. You then apply for a new passport using Form DS-11 in person, as if applying for the first time. If you have imminent travel, book an urgent appointment at a passport agency. Never try to use a passport you previously reported as lost.
How early before expiration should I renew?
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Even if your destination does not have this rule, most airlines will not board passengers whose passports expire within six months of travel. Given 2026 processing times of 8-10 weeks for routine renewal, start the process at least five to six months before your passport expires if you travel internationally.
Can I use my passport as my only ID at the airport?
Yes. A U.S. passport book or card is a fully REAL ID-compliant document and is accepted by TSA for domestic flights and by CBP for international travel. You do not need a separate REAL ID-compliant driver’s license if you have a valid U.S. passport.
How long does a child’s passport last?
Passports issued to children under 16 are valid for five years. Adult passports (issued to anyone 16 or older) are valid for 10 years. There is no way to extend a minor’s passport; you must apply for a new one once it expires, with the same dual-parent consent requirements.
Do I need a passport for a cruise?
It depends on the cruise itinerary. Closed-loop cruises (those that depart and return to the same U.S. port) allow U.S. citizens to travel with a government-issued photo ID and a birth certificate instead of a passport. However, if you miss the ship in a foreign port, re-entering the U.S. without a passport can be extremely complicated. Most travel experts recommend bringing a passport book for any cruise that visits foreign ports, even if not technically required.
What forms of citizenship proof are accepted for a first-time application?
The State Department accepts a U.S. birth certificate with an official raised or multicolor seal, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240), a Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570), a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561), or a previous 10-year U.S. passport (issued when you were 16 or older). Hospital birth records and religious birth certificates are not accepted.
Can someone else pick up my passport for me?
Passports are mailed directly to the address you provide on your application and cannot be redirected to another person without a notarized authorization letter. At passport agencies, the applicant (or a parent for a minor) must be present to receive the document. There is no third-party pickup option at standard acceptance facilities since the passport is mailed.
