Applying for your first U.S. passport can feel more complicated than it really is. The basic process is the same for every adult first-time applicant, but the document used to prove U.S. citizenship depends on how you became a citizen.
A person born in the United States will usually submit a certified U.S. birth certificate. A naturalized citizen will usually submit an original Certificate of Naturalization.
This guide explains both situations, including the documents you need, current fees, processing times, expedited options, and how to schedule a passport appointment at the Post Office.
This guide is for first-time adult applicants. Passport applications for children under age 16 have different requirements.
Quick Answer: Is the Process Different?
Most of the process is exactly the same.
Both applicants must:
- Complete Form DS-11
- Apply in person
- Submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship
- Present a valid photo ID
- Bring photocopies of their citizenship evidence and ID
- Provide one passport photo
- Pay both the passport application fee and acceptance fee
- Make an appointment at a passport acceptance facility, such as a participating Post Office
The main difference is the citizenship document.
| Applicant | Primary citizenship evidence |
|---|---|
| Born in the United States | Certified U.S. birth certificate |
| Naturalized U.S. citizen | Certificate of Naturalization |
| Born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent | Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Citizenship, or other qualifying evidence |
Before You Apply: Passport Book or Passport Card?
You can apply for a passport book, passport card, or both.
Passport Book
A passport book can be used for international travel by air, land, or sea. If you plan to fly outside the United States, this is the document you need.
Passport Card
A passport card is less expensive, but it cannot be used for international air travel. It is generally valid for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean destinations.
For most first-time applicants, the passport book is the more practical choice.
Situation One: Born in the United States
If you were born in the United States, your primary proof of citizenship will usually be a certified birth certificate.
Birth Certificate Requirements
Your birth certificate should:
- Be issued by the city, county, or state where you were born
- List your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- List your parent or parents’ full names
- Include the registrar’s signature
- Include the issuing authority’s seal or stamp
- Have been filed with the registrar within one year of your birth
A hospital souvenir birth certificate—often the decorative version with footprints—is generally not sufficient.
You must bring:
- The original or certified birth certificate
- A photocopy of the birth certificate
The photocopy should be printed on plain white, single-sided, 8.5-by-11-inch paper.
If you do not have a qualifying birth certificate, review the State Department’s instructions for secondary citizenship evidence.
Situation Two: Naturalized U.S. Citizen
If you became a U.S. citizen through naturalization, your Certificate of Naturalization is normally your primary proof of citizenship.
What to Bring
You should bring:
- Your original Certificate of Naturalization
- A photocopy of the certificate
- A physical government-issued photo ID
- A photocopy of the front and back of the ID
Do not bring only a photocopy of your naturalization certificate. The passport acceptance facility must receive the original citizenship document with the application.
Your original Certificate of Naturalization will be returned to you, but it may arrive separately from your new passport. The State Department says supporting documents can arrive up to four weeks after the passport.
Because the certificate is an important document, make a good-quality copy for your own records before submitting the original.
Your A-Number
If you have an Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, include it on your first passport application when requested.
If Your Name Has Changed
If the name on your Certificate of Naturalization does not match the name you currently use, bring the certified legal document connecting the two names. Depending on the situation, this may be:
- A marriage certificate
- A court-ordered name change
- A divorce decree
- Another certified legal name-change document
Do not rely on an informal or unofficial copy.
Documents Every First-Time Adult Applicant Needs
Regardless of whether you were born in the United States or became a citizen through naturalization, prepare the following.
1. Form DS-11
Complete Form DS-11 online using the State Department’s form filler, and then print it.
Important:
- Print the form on single-sided paper
- Do not print it double-sided
- Do not sign the form at home
- Sign it only when the passport acceptance agent asks you to
First-time applicants cannot use the online passport-renewal process. You must submit DS-11 in person.
2. Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
Bring the original or certified document and a photocopy.
Common examples include:
- Certified U.S. birth certificate
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- A previous full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport
3. Physical Photo ID
Commonly accepted IDs include:
- Valid in-state driver’s license
- State-issued identification card
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Government employee ID
- U.S. military ID
- Valid foreign passport
- Green Card
- Global Entry or another qualifying Trusted Traveler ID
A digital driver’s license or mobile ID is not accepted. You must present a physical document.
If you apply in a state other than the state that issued your driver’s license, bring a second form of identification.
4. Photocopies
Bring:
- A photocopy of your citizenship document
- A photocopy of the front and back of your photo ID
Photocopies should be:
- On white 8.5-by-11-inch paper
- Single-sided
- Clear and readable
- Printed without reducing the size of the document
5. One Passport Photo
Your photo must:
- Be in color
- Be 2 by 2 inches
- Have been taken within the last six months
- Show your current appearance
- Have a plain white or off-white background
- Show you facing the camera directly
- Have balanced lighting without strong shadows
- Be free of filters or digital alterations
Eyeglasses are generally not allowed unless you have a signed medical statement explaining why they cannot be removed.
Many Post Offices offer passport photo services. USPS currently lists the hard-copy passport photo fee as $15. You can select “New Passport with Photo Services” when scheduling your appointment.
How Much Does a First U.S. Passport Cost?
As of July 2026, first-time adult applicants pay two separate basic fees.
| Passport type | State Department fee | Acceptance fee | Basic total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Passport card | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Book and card | $160 | $35 | $195 |
Optional fees include:
| Optional service | Additional fee |
|---|---|
| Expedited processing | $60 |
| 1–3 day return delivery | $23.36 |
| USPS passport photo | $15 |
| Faster shipping of the application | Varies by location |
The 1–3 day return-delivery option applies to passport books, not passport cards.
Important Payment Detail
You may need two separate payments.
State Department Fee
The application fee is payable to:
U.S. Department of State
At a passport acceptance facility, this fee is generally paid by:
- Personal check
- Certified check
- Cashier’s check
- Traveler’s check
- Money order
Write the applicant’s full name and date of birth in the memo section.
The State Department fee generally cannot be paid by credit or debit card at a Post Office acceptance appointment.
USPS Acceptance Fee
The separate $35 acceptance fee is paid directly to USPS. USPS generally accepts:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Check
- Money order
Payment rules may differ at non-USPS acceptance facilities, so check before your appointment.
You can confirm current amounts using the official U.S. Passport Fee Calculator.
How Long Does a First Passport Take?
As of July 2026, the State Department lists the following processing estimates:
- Routine service: 4–6 weeks
- Expedited service: 2–3 weeks
These estimates do not include mailing time.
Mailing can add up to two weeks for the application to reach the passport center and up to another two weeks for the completed passport to reach you. Apply well before purchasing nonrefundable international travel whenever possible.
You can check current estimates on the official Passport Processing Times page.
How to Get a Passport Faster
There are three different faster-service situations.
Option 1: Expedited Processing
If you are traveling in less than six weeks, request expedited processing at your passport appointment.
- Additional fee: $60
- Current processing estimate: 2–3 weeks
- Mailing time is not included
You can also pay for faster mailing of the application and 1–3 day return delivery of the completed passport book.
Option 2: Urgent International Travel
If you are traveling internationally in less than two to three weeks, you may qualify for an appointment at a regional passport agency or center.
You can request the appointment when you are within:
- 14 calendar days of international travel, or
- 28 calendar days if you also need a foreign visa
You must provide proof of international travel. Appointments are limited and are different from regular Post Office passport appointments.
Follow the current instructions on the State Department’s Get My Passport Fast page.
Option 3: Life-or-Death Emergency
You may qualify for an emergency passport-agency appointment if you must travel abroad within 14 days because an immediate family member outside the United States:
- Has died
- Is dying
- Is in hospice care
- Has a life-threatening illness or injury
You will need documentation of the emergency and proof of international travel.
When Will My Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate Come Back?
Your supporting citizenship document may not arrive in the same envelope as your passport.
The passport usually arrives first. Your birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, or other original document may arrive separately up to four weeks later.
Do not panic if the passport arrives without the citizenship document. If more than four weeks have passed since you received the passport, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
Common Mistakes That Can Delay a First Passport
Avoid these easily preventable problems:
- Signing Form DS-11 before the appointment
- Bringing only a photocopy of your birth or naturalization certificate
- Bringing a hospital souvenir birth certificate
- Forgetting photocopies of the citizenship document and ID
- Printing photocopies double-sided
- Bringing only a digital driver’s license
- Using an old or heavily edited passport photo
- Assuming one credit-card payment will cover every fee
- Forgetting legal proof of a name change
- Booking travel based only on processing time and ignoring mailing time
Final Checklist
Before leaving for your appointment, confirm that you have:
- Completed but unsigned Form DS-11
- Original proof of U.S. citizenship
- Photocopy of citizenship evidence
- Physical government-issued photo ID
- Photocopy of the front and back of the ID
- One passport photo
- Certified name-change document, if needed
- State Department payment
- Acceptance-facility payment
- USPS appointment confirmation
Whether you were born in the United States or became a citizen through naturalization, the application itself is mostly the same. The important part is bringing the correct original citizenship document—and remembering not to sign DS-11 until the acceptance agent tells you to.
Passport fees, processing times, and procedures may change. This article was updated in July 2026. Confirm current information through the U.S. Department of State and USPS before applying.
Once your documents are ready, follow my step-by-step guide to scheduling a passport appointment at USPS.👉How to Schedule a Passport Appointment at USPS: Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for your child instead?
Read my complete guide to 👉 getting a U.S. passport for a baby or toddler
Renewing your passport? Hope you find this helpful 👉How to Renew a U.S. Passport: Online, by Mail, or in Person
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