Preparing for your passport appointment can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re applying for a new passport, renewing an old one, or navigating the complexities of a lost passport, we have you covered. For over 20 years, we at the U.S. Passport Service Guide have been providing our readers with the answers to all of their passport and travel document questions.
The checklists below will help ensure you walk into your appointment confident and fully prepared.
Use the clickable links to access official application forms, examples, and step-by-step guides for each of the materials you must bring to your appointment.
Scenario 1: Applying for a New Passport
When applying for a new passport, accuracy and thoroughness are key. Here’s what you need:
- DS-11 Application Form: Complete the form, but don’t sign until instructed.
- Proof of Citizenship: A birth certificate or previous passport will suffice.
- Identification: A driver’s license or other government-issued ID is needed.
- Passport Photos: They must meet the State Department’s criteria.
- Payment: Check the acceptable payment methods at your location.
Need to know more? Follow our step-by-step guide to getting a new passport.
Exception: Renewing a passport in 72 hours or less
If you have urgent travel plans and cannot afford to wait for routine or expedited processing of a new passport application you can make an appointment at a regional passport agency and get your passport as quickly as the same day. You will need to bring the following:
- Proof of Imminent Travel: Have a travel itinerary, plane ticket, or other proof of your need for rush passport processing.
- DS-11 Application Form: Complete it but don’t sign until instructed.
- Proof of Citizenship: A birth certificate or previous passport is enough.
- Identification: A driver’s license or other government-issued ID is needed.
- Passport Photos: They must meet the State Department’s criteria.
- Payment: Check the acceptable payment methods at your location.
Note that there are only 26 regional passport processing agencies across the US and they each have limited numbers of appointments available. If you are struggling to either make an appointment or travel to a regional agency that has openings, you can save time and money by hiring a registered passport expediting service. For more information, consult our Ultimate U.S. Traveler’s Guide to Passport Expediters.
Scenario 2: Renewing Your Passport
Renewing your passport is easier than getting a new one. In most cases, you must renew your passport by mail. You need to include the following:
- DS-82 Form: Fill out this renewal form.
- Current Passport: Your most recent passport.
- Updated Passport Photos: New passport photos are required.
- Payment: Verify the renewal fee and accepted payment methods.
That said, there are some situations where you might have to renew a passport in person.
Exception: Renewing an expired passport
If you need to renew an expired passport that has been expired for more than 5 years or was issued before you were 16 years old, it does not qualify for renewal by mail. You will need to schedule an appointment to apply in person for a new one. You will need to follow the same steps outlined in Scenario 1: Applying for a New Passport.
NOTE: The same steps should also be followed if you need to replace a damaged passport.
Exception: Renewing a passport in 72 hours or less
If you have urgent travel plans and cannot afford to wait for routine or expedited processing by mail, you can make an appointment at a regional passport agency and get your passport faster. In some cases, you can get a passport in 24 hours.
If your passport is undamaged and qualifies for renewal, you should bring the following to your appointment:
- Proof of Imminent Travel: Have a travel itinerary, plane ticket, or other proof of your need for rush passport processing.
- DS-82 Form: Fill out this renewal form.
- Current Passport: Your most recent passport.
- Updated Passport Photos: New passport photos are required.
- Payment: Verify the renewal fee and accepted payment methods.
Again, if getting an appointment or coordinating travel to a regional passport agency is proving difficult, consider hiring a registered passport expeditor. These courier services are a viable option for getting a passport quickly and, in many cases, cheaper than the cost of getting a passport at a regional agency on your own.
Need to know more? Check out our complete guide to renewing a passport.
Scenario 3: Lost or Stolen Passports
Losing a passport can be stressful, but the solution is clear-cut: you need to report it missing and then apply for a new one. When you go to your passport office appointment, you will need to bring the following:
- Police Report: Recommended if your passport was stolen.
- DS-64 and DS-11 Forms: To report the loss and apply for a new one.
- Identification: Bring any other available identification documents.
- Updated Passport Photos: Bring new passport photos taken within the last 6 months.
- Payment: The replacement fee is the same as the fee for a new passport.
Need to know more? Be sure to follow our comprehensive guide to replacing a lost passport.
Scenario 4: Children’s Passports
Applying for a minor’s passport is more involved than applying for almost any other travel document. Part of what makes the process so much more complicated is the fact that it requires additional documents to establish the child’s legal guardianship:
- DS-11 Application Form: Complete the form, but don’t sign until instructed.
- Child’s Birth Certificate: To prove citizenship.
- Parental Consent: Both parents/guardians must be present and consent; otherwise, a DS-3053 form must be completed.
- Proof of Relationship: If the child’s last name differs from the parents’.
- Parent/Guardian ID: Government-issued photo IDs are needed.
- Passport Photos: Passport-sized photos of the child.
- Payment: The child passport application fees are less than the adult fees.
Need to know more? Use our complete guide to getting a passport for a minor (under the age of 16).
Every passport appointment has its unique requirements, but the need to be well-prepared is universal. Before you set off for the passport office nearest you, ensure you have all the necessary documents and understand the process for your specific situation. For more details or assistance, feel free to contact us.
