Fill DS-11 Online — Free, No Upload

Form DS-11 is the application for a first U.S. passport, a passport for a minor, or a replacement after loss or theft. You fill it out in advance — but submit it in person at a passport acceptance facility (most post offices, clerks of court, public libraries), together with your documents and photo.

One critical rule: do not sign the form until the acceptance agent tells you to. The signature must be witnessed. Fill everything else in advance — here, locally in your browser, so your Social Security Number and personal data never leave your device.

• Official U.S. Department of State template, hosted on this site
• Fill on your phone or laptop, print at home — black and white is fine
• Flattened on download, metadata wiped
• Zero bytes uploaded — your SSN stays on your device

First passport? Read our DS-11 walkthrough — the do-not-sign rule, the document checklist and the two-fee payment setup. Renewing instead? You probably want DS-82 by mail.

1. Check that DS-11 is the right form. Use DS-11 if this is your first passport, you're under 16, your previous passport was lost/stolen, or it was issued more than 15 years ago. Renewing an adult passport? You likely need DS-82 instead.
2. Fill Section 1–18. Name (as in your citizenship evidence), date and place of birth, SSN (mandatory — the form cannot be processed without it), contact details, travel plans (estimates are fine), parents' information and emergency contact.
3. Do NOT sign. Leave the signature field blank. You sign in front of the acceptance agent — signing early voids the application.
4. Gather the documents. Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a photo ID plus a photocopy of each, and one passport photo (2×2 in, white background, no glasses).
5. Prepare two payments. The application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State (check or money order), the execution fee is paid to the acceptance facility — amounts and accepted methods differ, check before you go.
6. Apply in person. Bring everything to an acceptance facility, sign when instructed, and keep the receipt to track your application online.

1. Signing before the appointment. The single most common DS-11 rejection. The form must be signed in front of the acceptance agent — an early signature means starting over with a fresh form.
2. Using DS-11 when DS-82 would do. If your adult passport is undamaged, issued within the last 15 years and you have it in hand, renewal by mail (DS-82) is simpler — no facility visit.
3. Wrong photo. Shadows, glasses, filters, wrong size or a busy background get applications suspended. Pharmacy photo services are the reliable route.
4. Missing photocopies. Both the citizenship evidence and the ID need photocopies — facilities often can't make them for you.
5. One check for everything. The Department of State fee and the facility's execution fee are two separate payments to two different payees.
6. Name mismatches. The name on the form must match your citizenship evidence exactly; if you've changed it, bring the legal proof (marriage certificate, court order).