Embassy of the United States

Passports

General Information

Each individual, regardless of age, must travel on his/her own passport. Children cannot be included on a parent's passport. Complete an Application for Passport or Registration (Form DS-11) if one of the following applies to you: You have not previously had a passport issued in your own name Your most recent passport was issued 15 years ago or more (In addition to Form DS-11,please also complete an Information For Determining U.S. Citizenship form available for downloading at bottom of page) Your most recent passport was issued when you were under age 16 You are replacing a lost/ stolen/ damaged passport (click here) If  you can submit your most recent passport which was issued less than 15 years ago and you were over 16 years old at the time of issuance, you are eligible to use the Passport Application by mail (Form DS-82). Where to Submit Your Application Appointments for all passport services, whether you are applying or renewing a passport, replacing a lost or stolen passport or adding extra pages, must be made online through our ACS on-line appointment system. Click here to make your appointment. Completing the Application for Passport (Form DS-11) Complete sections 1 to 22 on the application form in BLOCK letters and black ink.  You must read the "ACTS OR CONDITIONS" on page 4 of this form before you proceed further.  If any of the mentioned acts or conditions have been performed by or applied to the applicant, cross out ONLY the applicable portion(s) and submit a supplementary explanatory signed statement with the application. Section 5: Social Security Number You must provide your Social security number in Section 5.  If you have never had one or do not remember the number then write zeroes in the boxes. Section 23 DO NOT WRITE in this section. Submit the Following Documents with Your Application All documents submitted with your application must NOT be laminated, must be either in their originals, or copies certified by the issuing authorities bearing the official's seal and signature.  Photocopies are not acceptable.  A written official translation is required for any documents issued in languages other than English. 1. Proof of U.S. citizenship Most recent passport issued in your own name.  If it is not available, then submit one of the following: Birth certificate if you were born in the U.S. (hospital records are not acceptable; click here for additional information on birth certificates in support of a passport application) A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth (Form DS-1350 or FS-545) if you were born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. 2. Proof of identity Current identifying documents contain your name, signature and physical description or photograph.  Examples: previous passport, Certificate of Naturalization, driver's license, etc.  If you are applying for your first passport or your most recent passport was issued more than 10 years ago, you must also submit progressive photographic identifying documents (e.g. school yearbooks, school ID cards, old passports, driver's licenses etc). If you cannot present any of the above, you must appear with a WITNESS who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who has known you for at least 2 years. Your witness must prove his/her identity and attest to your identity by a signed and notarized Affidavit of Identifying Witness (Form DS-71). You must also submit some other identification of your own. If this is not possible, please contact the Consulate to discuss your situation. 3. Evidence of change of name If you have changed your name since your last passport through marriage, by a court order or by Deed Poll, submit the original document. 4. Photographs Submit two color photographs of you alone, sufficiently recent to be a good likeness of you (normally taken within the last six months), and 2x2 inches in size. The image size measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair) should not be less than 1 inch and not more than 1-3/8 inches. The photographs must be color, clear, with full front view of your face, and printed on thin paper with plain light (white or off-white) background. Photographs must be taken in normal street attire, without a hat, head covering, or dark glasses unless a signed statement is submitted by the applicant verifying the item is worn daily for religious purposes or a signed doctor's statement is submitted verifying the item is used daily for medical purposes. Photographs retouched so that your appearance is changed are unacceptable. Snapshots, most vending machine prints, and magazine or full-length photographs are unacceptable. Digitized photos must meet the previously stated qualifications and will be accepted for use at the discretion of Passport Services. 5. Passport fees Click here for the current fees. NOTE: All fees are subject to change without notice. 6. Collection of your passport and documents You must collect your passport in person at the Consular Section. Passport Validity Adults (age 16 or above) - 10 years Minors (age 15 or below) - 5 years Conditions for Downloading Passport Application Forms The forms are Adobe Acrobat PDF format. To get Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here. * Submit ALL pages of the applications. Your application will not be accepted unless all pages are submitted. * Print forms on plain white photocopy or laser printer paper only; * The forms must be printed in black on white paper, NOT on colored paper; * Forms printed with dotted or broken lines, or blackout portions will not be accepted; * DO NOT shrink the size of the forms for printing. Select the required forms by clicking on the form numbers below: Application for Passport/Registration - Form DS-11 Affidavit of Identifying Witness Form DS-71 Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 14 Form DS-3053 This page was updated on February 1, 2008