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U.S. passports

Find out how to apply for or renew a passport and what to do if your passport is lost or stolen.

Apply for a new adult passport

You need a passport to travel to most countries outside the U.S. Learn how to apply in person.

Renew an adult passport

Find out if you can renew your passport or have to get a new one. Learn how to renew your passport by mail or in person in an emergency.

Get a passport for a minor under 18

Find out how to get a child's passport, depending on their age.

Lost or stolen passports

If your passport is lost or stolen you must report it to the State Department right away. How you replace it depends on if you are inside or outside the U.S.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

For Travelers

Apply for a U.S. Passport

DHS provides information on the passport application process, obtaining a visa, border crossing documents, and general travel tips. U.S. Citizens must get a passport issued by the U.S. Department of State to travel overseas.

Information on requirements for U.S. passport applications.

Do I Need a Visa?

Learn about your destination and find out if you need a visa for travel outside the country.

U.S. Passport Application Status

Check the status of a U.S. passport application.

Passport Travel Tips

Safeguard your Passport. You must present your passport to the Customs and Border Protection officer upon arrival in the United States. Carry your passport—do not pack it in your checked luggage. We recommend you make a copy of your passport and put it in a separate place as a safeguard in case it is lost or stolen.

Traveling with Children. All children, including infants, must have their own passport or Trusted Traveler Program for U.S. entry. Carry documents for traveling with minor children.

If you are escorting a minor child without the parents, have a letter from both parents indicating that you have permission to travel with the minor.
If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a note from the child's other parent. For example, "I acknowledge that my wife/ husband is traveling out of the country with my son/ daughter. He/She/ has my permission to do so."
If a single parent has sole custody, a copy of the court custody document can replace a letter from the other parent.

Western Hemispheric Travel Initiative

The Western Hemispheric Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows six types of acceptable documents required for travel in the Western Hemisphere, i.e., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America.

The goal of WHTI is to strengthen border security while facilitating entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers. WHTI makes the traveling process more efficient and convenient.

How Do I - For Travelers

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Renew or Replace a Passport

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Apply for your First Adult Passport

Apply for a Child Under 16

Apply as a 16 or 17 Year Old

Get My Application Status

Get a Passport Card

Respond to a Letter or Email

Apply Outside the United States

Selecting your Gender Marker

Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border by Land

Enroll in email updates so you know when your application status changes. Use the following information to check your status and enroll in updates:

Include suffixes (ex. Jones III, Patton Jr, etc.)
If you have a hyphen in your name, enter it with and without the hyphen if you cannot find a status update on the first try. (ex. Jackson-Smith, Jackson Smith, or JacksonSmith)
Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
Last Four Digits of Social Security Number

What Your Status Means

I got a letter and/or email requesting more information, help what should i do if:, my passport was "mailed" but i have not received it..

If you have waited over two weeks since we mailed your passport, call us at 1-877-487-2778 (or 1-888-874-7793 if you are deaf or hard of hearing).

We will help you complete a special form (known as the DS-86 form ) which is a signed statement that you didn't receive your U.S. passport.

You must complete the DS-86 form within 90 days of the date we issued your passport. After 90 days, you must reapply and pay all fees, by law.

I applied and need my passport sooner than I thought.

Call us at 1-877-487-2778 (or 1-888-874-7793 if you are deaf or hard of hearing). You’ll need either your application number or your last name and date of birth.

Get expedited service for $60.
Get 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport book for $19.53. One-to-two day delivery is not available for passport cards. We only send cards via First Class Mail.

I changed my mailing address.

Do not contact us if your address changed after you received your passport.

If you want to receive your passport at an address other than your own, we will send the passport “In Care Of” someone else who lives at that address.

Contacting Us If You Have Urgent Travel

Check your application status online and sign up for updates via email . How our contact center can help you depends on your travel date, and if you have applied or not yet applied...

I have already applied and do not have my passport

I have not applied yet, reminders for contacting us.

Representatives are available Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. We close on federal holidays.
Our primary number is 1-877-487-2778 . Se habla español.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services.
Contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate if you are applying outside the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

You cashed my check. why is my status still "not available".

Still In Transit: Your application status is "Not Available" because your application is still in transit to a passport agency or center. After you apply, your application is:

Delivered to a mail facility. Your tracking number may say that your application has "Arrived" at the mail facility.
Sent from the mail facility to an intake facility where your payment is processed (check is cashed).
Sent by the intake facility to a passport agency or center.

It may take up to 2 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is "In Process" at one of our passport agencies and centers.

Problem with your Application : In some cases, it may take longer than 2 weeks if our intake facility finds a problem with your application. We will contact you if we need more information.

Technical Issue : We may have a temporary, technical issue with our system. Please try again in several hours.

Entering Your Last Name : If you cannot find a status update on the first try, make sure the name you enter is spelled the same as the name you provided on your passport form. If you have a hyphen in your name, try entering your name with and without the hyphen.

Why does my status say "Mailed" if I just applied?

Your status may be "Mailed" if you received a new passport in the last 180 days, and you are re-applying for a new passport. For example, you may need to use Form DS-5504 if you need to Change or Correct Your Passport . It may take 2 weeks after the date you apply on Form DS-5504 for your status to change to "In Process."

Why does my status say "In Process" after it was already "Approved"?

You may see this update if we discovered a problem we need to fix during our final review of your passport. We are fixing the issue and preparing to print a new passport for you.

Will I receive my new passport and my documents back in one envelope?

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

New passport book
New passport card
Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your citizenship documents, call us at 1-877-487-2778 .

How do I know which location is processing my application and has my documents?

The first two digits of your nine-digit passport application locator number allow you to know which agency or center is working on your application. You can find your application locator number by checking our Online Passport Status System . The unique digits for each of our agencies and centers are below.

Processing Times

Routine: 6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel. Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it.
Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel: See our Get my Passport Fast page.

External Link

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Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

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First-Time Passports

First-time applicants and people who aren’t allowed to get a new passport by mail.

Apply at a Post Office

Expedited Delivery

Renewing Passports

Most people renewing a passport should mail their application directly to the State Department.

Renew by Mail

Passports for Minors

Passports for children under 16 have special requirements. Make sure you are prepared.

Apply for a First-Time Passport

If you've never had a U.S. passport, are 16 or under, or aren't allowed to renew an existing passport by mail, you need to apply for a new passport in person at the Post Office.

Step 1: Gather Documents Early

Generally, you should apply for your new passport as soon as you know you’ll be traveling internationally—at least several months in advance. Passport processing times may vary, so be sure to check the latest State Department service estimates . First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who need a new passport but may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U.S. State Department website explains what you'll need to bring with you.

Application forms (unsigned)
Proof of identity document and a photocopy of the front and back
Proof of U.S. Citizenship document and a photocopy of the front and back
Passport fees

Apply for a Passport in Person

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need.

Complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport on the State Department website.
Print your completed application. DO NOT SIGN YOUR APPLICATION. A Postal employee must witness your signature.
Have a passport photo taken.
Photocopy your proof of identity and U.S. Citizenship documents.
Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees.
State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier's, traveler's check, or money order, payable to "U.S. Department of State."

Get Started on Your Application

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

Post Offices that offer passport services have set hours, and you'll need to schedule an appointment using the online Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk.

Scheduling Online

Go to Schedule an Appointment .
Choose the passport service you need, along with the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
You can search for appointment by location or date first. If you search by location first, you'll then be asked to choose a date and time; if you search by date first, you'll then need to choose a location and time.
After you choose your appointment location and time, provide your contact information, and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Click Review Appointment , then confirm your appointment.

If you need to modify or cancel your appointment, click the Manage Appointments tab and enter your confirmation number and email address or phone number.

Using a Self-Service Kiosk

Go to a Post Office location with lobby self-service kiosks. Find USPS Locations
At the self-service kiosk, touch the screen to begin, then select "Other Services," then "Passport Scheduler."
Choose the passport service you need, then enter the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
Search for Post Office locations by ZIP Code™ or City/State and choose a location.
Select an available appointment date and time, then agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Enter your contact information and decide if you'd like to receive SMS text notifications.
Review and confirm your information, then select “Schedule Appointment” to finalize.
Take your printed receipt listing your confirmation number and appointment details.

Step 4: Pay Passport Acceptance & Processing Fees

First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra. Learn how to calculate fees and what you can use to pay for them.

Application Acceptance Fees – Postal Service

Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to "Postmaster," debit card, or credit card.

$35.00 - Post Office acceptance fee
$15.00 - Post Office photo fee (if needed)

Application Processing Fees – Department of State

State Department payment is sent with your application package. State Department fees are paid separately from USPS fees.

State Department Fees State Department passport fees vary. Calculate passport fees online .
Personal, certified, cashier's, or traveler's check, payable to "U.S. Department of State."
Money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." You can buy a money order at the Post Office with cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check. You cannot pay with a credit card.

Application Status Updates

Use the Online Passport Status System to check your application status if you applied by mail or in person. You may not be able to get a status update for 2 weeks after you apply or renew. During these weeks, your application and supporting documents are on their way to the Department of State. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page " U.S. Passports ."

Renew a Passport by Mail

If you are eligible to renew your passport, please complete Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 (see completion instructions on the form), and mail your completed renewal application directly to the State Department for processing. To verify if your passport is eligible for renewal by mail, please visit State Department Renew By Mail .

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail

A minor's passport may not be renewed by mail; to renew a minor's passport, you need to submit a new, first-time passport application in person . An adult passport may be renewed by mail if it meets certain requirements.

You can renew your adult passport by mail if you answer "Yes" to all 5 of the following statements:

Your passport:

Is in your possession to submit with your application.
Is undamaged other than normal "wear and tear."
Was issued when you were age 16 or older.
Was issued within the last 15 years.
Was issued in your current name or you can document your name change. (Name changes are explained on Change a Passport .)

If your passport does not meet all these requirements, do not mail your renewal application. You must prepare the same application package as a first-time passport applicant.

State Department Renew by Mail

Apply early for renewals as many countries require that passports be valid for at least 6 months after you enter their country. Learn how to properly prepare your application package and include all the necessary documents so your passport is processed on time.

Complete your Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 on the State Department website.
Print and sign your DS-82 form.
Have a passport photo taken. You can schedule a passport photo-only appointment at a Post Office ™ location.
Calculate your passport renewal fees .
Collect your most recent passport, completed and signed application, renewal fees, and name change documents, if needed.
Use an envelope large enough to fit the application without folding it.
TIP : Pay for Priority Mail Express ® or Priority Mail ® service and get free envelopes that are large enough to hold your application. Order easily online: Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope or Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope .
Address the envelope to the location for your state. See page 2 of your DS-82 form.

How to Renew a Passport - Details

Step 3: Mail Your Renewal Application

Department of State recommends using a USPS delivery tracking service to mail your renewal application.

Choose one of the following services:

USPS Priority Mail ® Service with Delivery Confirmation
USPS Priority Mail ® Service with Signature Confirmation
USPS Priority Mail Express ® Service (for overnight delivery requests)

Compare Delivery Tracking Services

Step 4: Follow Your Application Progress

If you use a USPS delivery tracking service, go to USPS Tracking ® to see when your package is delivered.

With a USPS tracking service, you can see when your application arrived using the tracking number on your receipt.

USPS Tracking Status

U.S. Passport Application Status

Expedited Passport Delivery

Get a new passport faster in emergencies & special cases.

If you need your passport faster for emergency travel or another special case, you can send your passport application via Priority Mail Express ® service and pay the State Department fee for faster delivery.

Life-or-Death Emergency

If you need to travel within 72 hours (3 business days) for an immediate family member who is dead, dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury:

Visit the Life-or-Death Emergencies page on travel.state.gov to learn if you are eligible.
The State Department processes these requests by appointment only.
Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel.

Urgent Travel in Less than 10 Weeks

If you are traveling in less than 10 weeks, you must call the State Department Passport Agency to schedule an appointment:

You can call 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY) to schedule an appointment.
Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel, and you must provide proof of travel.

Note : An extremely limited number of appointments are available for customers who are traveling internationally in the next 72 hours (3 business days), and other restrictions apply .

Get My Passport Fast

Renew Your Passport Fast

If you pay an additional $60 for expedited service and mail it with Priority Mail Express , you can get your renewed passport within 10 weeks.

Check your eligibility under Renew Your Passport by Mail, Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail .
Prepare your application as listed under Renew a Passport by Mail, Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package .
Add these special fees, both payable to the U.S. Department of State, to your regular processing fees.
$60.00—Expedited application processing at the State Department
$18.32—1- to 2-day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department
Clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.
Ship your application to the State Department by Priority Mail Express. Cost varies by location.
Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of a child's passport. The best way to give consent is for both parents/guardians to go with the child when applying.
Children need evidence of citizenship.
Parents/guardians need proof of parental relationship.
NOTE: Children's passports are only valid for 5 years. They are not "renewable": When a child's passport expires, you must apply for a new passport for them. When making a passport appointment for a child, please choose "New Passport Only" or "New Passport with Photo Services."

Apply for a Minor's Passport

Department of State Passport Website English | Español
Ask Questions at the National Passport Information Center
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Plan Your Trip with the Traveler's Checklist
Get Help in an Emergency Overseas

Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you should report it immediately to the U.S. Department of State.

Report Your Lost/Stolen Passport

U.S. Passport Application Status

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