Prerequisites for New Passport

If you answer ‘Yes’ to ALL statements below:

1. You are over 16 years old AND
2. You are applying for your first U.S. passport OR
3. Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16 OR
4. Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago

If you answered ‘No’ to ANY statement, STOP. You must apply for a different passport service (Lost/stolen, damaged, child passport). Please call us at 1-800-689-1388 to discuss next steps.

New Passport Checklist Overview

1. DS11 form – Online generated ONLY
2. Letter of Authorization – Manually filled and signed
3. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
4. Two new passport photo (no glasses)
5. $190 Check to US Dept of State (or $220 for Book and Card)
6. Proof of Identity
7. Proof of Departure

New Passport Checklist Section Details

1. Passport Application (DS -11) Form
   1. Please fill out online information
   2. At the section “Passport Products and Fees”, please choose passport book, Expedited Service, Standard delivery. You are not paying anything to the government at this moment.
   3. Click Next and click the button “Print” to generate the DS 11 form. Only the last 2 pages of this 6 page pdf file is needed.
   4. Print out two copies of this last 2 pages

Click here to fill out/print DS 11 Form (https://pptform.state.gov/)

2. Letter of Authorization (LOA)
   1. Important! Please print two copies of this form first.
   2. Manually fill out the LOA with black or blue ink only
   3. Check the first two boxes in the middle section
   4. Please write Passport Depot on the “The Courier Company Name” line

Click here to view/print the Letter of Authorization

3. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
   The following are accepted:
   1. Original or Certified U.S. birth certificate OR
   2. Original Certificate of Naturalization OR
   3. Old U.S. Passport AND copy of Birth Certificate
4. Two new, recent passport photos, taken in the last 6 months, without eyeglasses or head coverings.
5. A check or money order of $190 for a passport book only. Or $220 for a new passport book and card.
   1. This must be made payable to the U.S. Department of State
   2. Write your Date of Birth on the check’s memo line.

6. Proof of Identity
   The following are accepted:
   1. Valid driver license OR state issued ID. Please make a front and back copy.
   2. Government ID OR Military ID. Please make a front and back copy

7. One copy of Proof of Departure
   1. Provide a plane ticket, itinerary or business letter showing proof of leaving the country within two weeks. If you have any difficulties obtaining these documents, please contact us at 1-800-689-1388.