U.S. passport application requirements

How to fill out the online U.S. passport application — including the barcode requirement — and the identity documents you'll need to bring.

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Online Passport Application Form

How to fill out the U.S. passport application form

The application for any passport service must be completed online at the U.S. Department of State website. Upon completion of the application form tick the 'I have read and acknowledge the steps contained above.' checkbox and proceed to downloading the PDF application form by clicking the 'Create Form' button. Make sure that your application form has the barcode on it before proceeding.

Print the form, but do not sign it. You'll sign the application in front of a passport acceptance agent at submission — a pre-signed form will be rejected and you'll have to fill it out again.
Acceptable

Application form with barcode

Sample U.S. passport application form with a barcode on the left side

This form is ready to submit. The barcode means the application was generated correctly through the State Department system.

Not acceptable

Application form without barcode

Sample U.S. passport application form missing the barcode on the left side

Don't submit this form. A missing barcode means the application wasn't generated through the State Department system — go back and use the 'Create Form' button.

Passport information identity

Documents that prove your identity

You can prove your identity with one of the following documents.

Previous U.S. passport

A valid or expired, undamaged passport book or card previously issued to you.Counts as damaged: water damage, mold, stains, significant tears, unofficial markings, or missing pages. Folded pages or small bends are fine.

Naturalization Certificate

The original certificate issued at the time of your naturalization.

Certificate of Citizenship

The original certificate issued to you as evidence of U.S. citizenship.

Current, valid photo ID

Any one of:

  • In-state, fully-valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo.
  • Government employee ID — city, county, state, or federal.
  • U.S. military or military dependent ID.
Also accepted as primary photo ID

Other documents the State Department will recognize

  • Current, valid foreign passport.
  • Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID).
  • U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
  • Trusted Traveler IDs — Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, or NEXUS.
  • Enhanced Tribal Cards or Native American tribal photo IDs.
No digital IDs. Mobile driver's licenses, digital state IDs, and any electronic ID copies are not accepted. You must present a physical, photo ID together with a photocopy of its front and back.
A Social Security Card alone isn't sufficient — it's only accepted as a secondary ID, in combination with at least one other document. It can't serve as your primary photo ID on its own.
Name change

If you changed your legal name

By way of marriage or otherwise — you'll need to provide evidence of the name change. The State Department accepts a certified copy of any of the following:

Submit a certified copy of any of these

Bring a certified copy — not a photocopy.

  • Marriage certificate — if your name changed through marriage.
  • Divorce decree — if you're reverting to a prior name after divorce.
  • Court decree for legal name changes other than marriage.
  • Adoption decree — for name changes that result from an adoption.

Other situations:

· If your name changed during naturalization, the Certificate of Naturalization itself is sufficient evidence.

· For an informal name change without a court decree or marriage ("custom and usage"), submit Form DS-60 with evidence of using the new name publicly and exclusively for at least 5 years (3+ public documents, or 2 affidavits from people who've known you under both names).

If you don't have an ID

How to apply for a U.S. passport without ID — Form DS-71

You can still apply — you'll need to combine signature documents with someone willing to vouch for you.

Provide both of the following:

  1. Some signature documents Not acceptable alone as ID — bring a combination, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc. And
  2. A person who can vouch for you He/she must meet all of the following:
    • Have known you for at least 2 years.
    • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
    • Have valid ID.
    • Fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport acceptance agent.
    Important: Form DS-71 is only available when applying in person at an acceptance facility or a passport agency. It can't be used for mail-in applications.

Need your passport this week?

Our document team reviews your application, builds the packet, and hand-walks it through the U.S. Passport Services office — while you focus on the trip.

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