What Documents Do I Need for a US Passport

A passport, as proof of citizenship and identification on an international trip, carries a photo, name, date of birth, gender and biometric information. US citizens must hold a valid US passport to travel abroad and return to America despite their age, gender, and career.

Whether you have all the necessary documents ready plays an important role in the application. In this passage, we are going to explore documents needed for passport application and renewal in different conditions.

Documents Needed for New Passport Applications

First-time applicants must visit the passport acceptance facility in person. Passport documents include an application form, proof of citizenship and identification.

Application Form DS-11

This is used to gather your personal information, such as name, date of birth, place of birth, Social Security Number, gender, address, contact, etc. Please note that you are supposed to sign Form DS-11 in witness of a passport acceptance officer while attending the appointment.

There are 3 ways to obtain the form.

• Fill out your answers on the Form Filler, and print out the PDF form generated by the system.
• Download the form and complete it by hand. There are 6 pages in total. Please read the instructions carefully and fill it out from the 5^th page.
• Pick it up at a passport acceptance facility or regional agency, such as post offices, libraries, etc.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship

Both original copy and photocopy are needed. The photocopy must present both the front of back sides on single-sided standard paper. Primary evidence is the first choice. If not, secondary evidence is also acceptable.

Primary evidence is listed as follows. If you submit a Letter of No Record as proof of citizenship, at least 2 early public records, or one early public record and one early private document with Form DS-10 are required.

• Undamaged U.S. passport with a standard validity period (10 years for people aged at least 16 and 5 years for children below 16). Even an expired passport is acceptable.
• U.S. birth certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth (if born outside the US)
• Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship (if born outside the US)

Secondary evidence is listed as follows.

• Delayed birth certificate which is filed over 1 year after birth. It must include the documentation used to create it and the birth attendant’s signature or the parent’s affidavit. If your delayed U.S. birth certificate missed any of the information above, please hand it in with early public records.
• Letter of No Record, which is issued by the registrar when the U.S. birth certificate is not on file in the state of birth
• Public records, such as baptism certificates, hospital birth certificates with the baby’s footprints, U.S. Census records, early school records, family Bible records, doctor’s records of post-natal care, and Form DS-10.

Photo Identification Document

This is an essential part of passport documents for adults. It must be a physical ID rather than a digital one. You can provide either one of the primary photo IDs or at least two secondary IDs. Both the original copy and a photocopy should be shown.

Passport Photos

The head-and-shoulder photo must comply with the following official requirements.

• The photo must be colored and taken within the last six months.

• The photo must be taken against a plain white or off-white background.
• The photo must be high-definition and clear.
• The photo must measure 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The chin to the top of the hair should measure 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm).
• Keep a neutral facial expression.
• Keep both eyes open and mouth closed.
• Look at the camera and take a front view.
• Do not cover the whole face in any case.
• Glasses are only allowed for medical reasons and a signed statement from your doctor must be included.
• Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons and a signed statement must be included.
• Wear daily-worn clothes. Uniform and uniform-like attire (such as camouflage) are prohibited.
• In no case should you cover your face.

According to the Department of State, it is permitted to take a passport photo with a smartphone. If you decide to do that, we suggest you use AiPassportPhotos, an online passport photo maker to make a 100% qualified photo. All you need is to go to AiPassportPhotos, and click the “Upload a Photo” button to take a shot or import an existing photo. Then the AI will check photo compliance, crop size and replace the background automatically. The whole process takes only a few seconds and you will get a perfect photo.

Proof of Name Change (If Applicable)

If your name has ever changed since you got the proof of U.S. citizenship, you should submit documentation to prove the change, such as a certificate of marriage, divorce or change of name deed. Read here to learn whether you could use your maiden name on your passport.

Return Delivery Envelope 

This is used for the authority to return your passport by post. It must be a pre-paid (up to 500g) self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope or DX. Information as an alternative.

Extra Documents Needed for Children

Passport documents for adults are also applicable to children. Specifications might vary according to the applicant’s age.

Passport Documents for Minors Below 16

Apply for a Child’s U.S. Passport (state.gov)

Both parents or guardians should be present with the minor applicants by showing proof of parentage or guardianship and a photo ID. The proof of parental relationship could be:

• U.S. birth certificate (also used of proof of citizenship)
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce decree
• Custody decree

When both parents fail to appear together, please check the following chart to see what is required. Please note that all the written and notarized authorization stated before must be made within the last 3 months.

Passport Documents for Minors Aged 16 and 17

If you have reached 16 years old with your own ID, you are allowed to apply for a passport with one parent/guardian present. He/she would be asked to show a photocopy of their ID and sign Form DS-11 in front of the passport agent or officer. If he/she cannot present, Parental Awareness is required, which could be one of the following passport documents.

• Payment document for application fees from your legal parent/guardian, such as a check or money order with his/her name
• A signed note from your legal parent/guardian as well as a photocopy of their ID 
• A notarized statement of consent from your legal parent/guardian (such as Form DS-3053) as well as a photocopy of their ID

Documents Needed for Passport Renewal

On the following conditions, you can renew your passport by mail:

• Your current passport remains undamaged and can be submitted along with the renewal application.
• You have never reported lost or stolen.
• Your current passport was issued in the last 15 years.
• Your current passport was issued at 16 years old or above.
• Your current passport presents your current name. If not, you can offer proof of name change.
• The period of validity of your current passport is less than a normal adult’s passport (10 years) due to frequent passport thefts or losses, or due to issues with passport damage or mutilation.

Applicants under 16 must not renew a passport, but apply for a new one instead. Passport renewal documents are much simpler than that for new applications. Here are what you should prepare.

Form DS-82

This is used to gather your personal information and previous passport information. With this form, if you are already in possession of a passport card/book, you can apply for the first passport book/card. You can obtain the form though:

• Answer questions on the Form Filler, and print out the PDF form generated by the system.
• Download the form and complete it by hand. Please read the instructions on the first 4 pages carefully and fill it out from the 5th page.
• In both cases, the form must be printed on single-sided paper.

Most Recent Passport

Whether renewing by mail or in person, the most recent passport(s) must be handed in along with your application. It will be returned to you after your renewed passport arrives.

Name Change Documents (If Applicable)

If your current name differs from the name on your current U.S. passport, it means you have changed your name. A certified copy of the proof of name change is required. It could be 

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Court-ordered name change document

When renewing from Canada with a divorce decree issued by the Canadian government that does not indicate you to return to your maiden name, proof of your birth or maiden name is acceptable, such as a birth certificate.

One Passport-size Photo

It must also satisfy all photo requirements that we have stated above. Do not bend the photo and staple it within the picture area of the form.

Documents Needed for Expedited Passport

It regularly takes 10-13 weeks to deal with passport applications. What if you have to travel urgently? What passport documents are required? Please read on to find out the answers.

Expedited Service

The processing time is shortened to 7-9 weeks, suitable for trips starting in less than 13 weeks. To expedite the first passport or child’s application, please visit an acceptance facility in person. To expedite a renewal by mail, please mark “EXPEDITE” on the mailing envelope. The required documents are the same as routine services in addition to an extra $60 expedited fee.

Urgent Travel

This service applies to international trips in less than 7-9 weeks. You must book an appointment at a passport agency or center and then take all documents to attend. Besides routine passport documents, you are also required to show proof of urgent travel, such as a travel itinerary, air ticket, hotel reservation, etc.

Life-or-death Emergency

This is designed for international travel in the following 72 hours on the condition that your immediate family member (i.e. grandparents, parents/legal guardians, children, spouses, or siblings) out of America has passed away, is in hospice care, or is suffering a life-threatening illness or injury. You must make an appointment for this service with one of the following proofs of emergency

• a death certificate
• a statement from a mortuary
• a letter on hospital/clinic letterhead signed by a doctor/medical care personnel stating your family member’s medical condition. Translate the non-English statement or letter to the English version. The translation is not required to be notarized but must be done by a professional translator.

Attend the appointment on the scheduled date with the routine passport documents as well as proof of emergent travel, such as an itinerary or international flight ticket in the next 3 days.

Summary

It seems complicated to prepare documents needed for passport. Let’s make a conclusion. For new passport applicants, please get ready your application form, passport photo, proof of citizenship and identity, and other supporting documents. As for child’s passports, remember to show proof of parental relationship or parental consent. Documents needed for passport renewal include an application form, current passport, passport photo and other supporting documents. Last but not least, expedited passport services need extra evidence of urgent travel.