How to Fill Out Form DS-11 — Passport Application Guide

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 you submit it in person at a passport acceptance facility (most post offices, clerks of court, public libraries), together with your documents and photo. And one rule overrides everything else: do not sign the form until the acceptance agent tells you to. Fill everything else beforehand — privately, with our free DS-11 filler — so your SSN and personal data never leave your device.

First: is DS-11 the right form?

Use DS-11 if any of these is true:

This is your first U.S. passport.
The applicant is under 16 (minors always apply in person, with both parents or guardians involved).
Your previous passport was lost or stolen.
Your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago.

If none of those apply — you have your adult passport in hand, it's undamaged, issued within the last 15 years, and your name is unchanged or documented — you likely qualify for the simpler mail-in renewal, Form DS-82.

Filling the form (everything except the signature)

Name. Exactly as it appears on your proof of citizenship. Changed your name since? Bring the legal proof — marriage certificate or court order — and it goes on the form as appropriate.
Date and place of birth. As shown on your citizenship evidence.
SSN — mandatory. Federal law requires your Social Security Number on a passport application; leaving it blank can delay or deny processing. This is the field most worth filling locally rather than on a random website.
Contact details. Mailing address, phone and email — the State Department communicates processing updates here.
Travel plans. Estimated departure dates are fine; if you have no concrete plans, say so.
Parents' information and emergency contact. As printed in your documents.

Leave the signature field blank. The signature must be witnessed by the acceptance agent. A form signed at home is void — you'd start over with a fresh copy.

The documents to gather

Proof of U.S. citizenship — birth certificate or certificate of naturalization, plus one photocopy.
A photo ID (driver's license, state ID) plus one photocopy.
One passport photo — 2×2 inches, white background, no glasses, taken within the last six months. Pharmacy photo services are the reliable route.

Facilities often can't make photocopies for you — bring your own. For minors, add evidence of the parent-child relationship and documentation for both parents' or guardians' consent.

Two payments, two payees

The application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State (check or money order), and the separate execution fee is paid to the acceptance facility. Amounts and accepted payment methods differ — check both before your appointment so you arrive with the right instruments.

The mistakes that get DS-11 applications rejected

Signing before the appointment. The single most common rejection — the form must be signed in front of the agent.
Using DS-11 when DS-82 would do. If you qualify for mail-in renewal, skip the facility visit entirely.
Photo problems. Shadows, glasses, filters, busy backgrounds or wrong size suspend processing.
Missing photocopies of the citizenship evidence and ID.
One check for everything. Two fees, two payees.
Name mismatches between the form and the citizenship evidence.

After you apply

Keep the receipt — it carries the tracking number for checking status online. Processing times change seasonally, so check the current routine and expedited estimates at travel.state.gov before any planned trip; spring and summer are peak season.

Fill out Form DS-11 now — free, no upload

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change — check the current edition and instructions at travel.state.gov.