Passports Made Simple
How to Get One, Renew One, and Avoid Expensive Mistakes
In 10 Seconds: Traveling internationally? Start with your passport. Apply or renew well in advance, make sure it’s valid for your destination, and always use the official U.S. government website to avoid scams and unnecessary fees.
A passport application is not especially difficult, but the government does have rules, forms, fees, copies, photographs, and enough fine print to make a sensible person consider staying home.
The good news is that you do not need to hire a company to apply for or renew a United States passport. You can do it yourself, and this guide will walk you through it one step at a time.
Important: Only use official United States government websites. A legitimate federal government website ends in .gov.
The official passport website is:
U.S. Department of State Passport Services
The only official website for online passport renewal is:
Official Online Passport Renewal
Other websites may look official, use patriotic colors, or even have the word “government” in their name. That does not make them government websites. Some charge unnecessary service fees, collect sensitive personal information, or simply send you forms you could have completed for free. The State Department warns that only its official online renewal site is authorized to accept online passport renewal applications. (Travel.state.gov)
This information was reviewed and updated in July 2026. Fees and processing times can change, so always check the official links before submitting an application.
First Things First: Do You Need a Passport Book or a Passport Card?
The Passport Book
A passport book is the traditional blue passport with pages inside.
You need a passport book to travel internationally by airplane. It may also be used when entering another country by land or sea.
For most travelers, this is the one to get.
The Passport Card
A passport card is a plastic, wallet sized identification card.
It may be used for:
• Domestic airline travel as REAL ID
• Land border crossings from Canada and Mexico
• Certain sea travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean destinations
It cannot be used for international air travel.
You cannot fly to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, or anywhere else outside the United States using only a passport card. If there is even a small chance you will travel internationally by air, get the passport book.
You may apply for the book, the card, or both. The card has the same validity period as the passport book, which is 10 years for most applicants age 16 or older and 5 years for children under 16. (Travel.state.gov)
My practical recommendation is simple:
Get the passport book. Add the card if you want a convenient backup form of federal identification or regularly cross land borders or cruise from eligible destinations.
How Long Is a Passport Valid?
A passport issued to someone age 16 or older is generally valid for 10 years.
A passport issued to a child under age 16 is valid for 5 years.
Children’s passports cannot be renewed. When the child’s passport expires, the child must apply again in person using the process for a new passport. (Travel.state.gov)
Do Not Wait Until the Expiration Date
This is one of the biggest passport mistakes travelers make.
Your passport may technically be unexpired but still unusable for your trip.
Some countries require your passport to remain valid for three or six months after your planned departure from that country. Airlines may refuse to let you board if your passport does not meet the destination’s validity requirement. (Travel.state.gov)
Jani’s Easy Rule
Begin the renewal process when your passport has about one year remaining.
At the very least, make sure every traveler’s passport will be valid for six months beyond the date you plan to return home.
Check children’s passports especially carefully. They expire after only five years, and those dates have surprised more than one family at the airport.
You should also check whether your destination requires one or more completely blank passport pages. Country specific requirements are available here:
International Travel Information by Destination
Which Passport Process Do You Need?
Choose the section that describes your situation.
Apply in Person if:
• You have never had a United States passport
• Your most recent passport was issued when you were under age 16
• Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago
• Your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged
• You are applying for a child under age 16
• You are age 16 or 17 and applying for your first adult passport
• You do not meet the requirements to renew by mail or online
First time adult applicants and adults who do not qualify for renewal must use Form DS 11 and apply in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility. (Travel.state.gov)
Renew by Mail if:
Your most recent passport:
• Can be submitted with your application
• Is not damaged
• Was issued when you were age 16 or older
• Was issued within the last 15 years
• Shows your current name, or you can provide certified proof of your legal name change
Mail renewals use Form DS 82.
Official instructions:
Renew Online if:
You meet all current online renewal requirements.
As of July 2026, you may renew online when:
• The passport was valid for 10 years
• You are age 25 or older
• The passport expires within one year or expired less than five years ago
• You are not changing your name or other personal information
• You have the passport in your possession
• The passport is not damaged and has not been reported lost or stolen
• You are in a United States state or territory when applying
• You are not traveling internationally for at least six weeks
• You only need routine processing
Online renewal cannot be expedited. (Travel.state.gov)
Use only this website:
Official Online Passport Renewal
Applying for Your First Adult Passport
You must apply in person using Form DS 11.
Step 1: Complete Form DS 11
Use the official government form filler:
Complete the form on a computer, then print it on regular white, letter sized paper. Print each page on only one side of the paper.
Do not sign the form at home.
You must sign it in front of the passport acceptance agent. (Travel.state.gov)
Step 2: Gather Proof of United States Citizenship
You will usually need one original or certified document, such as:
• A certified United States birth certificate
• A previous full validity United States passport
• A Certificate of Naturalization
• A Certificate of Citizenship
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad
A hospital souvenir birth certificate is not acceptable. You need the official certified version issued by a city, county, or state vital records office.
Bring the original or certified document and a photocopy.
Step 3: Bring Photo Identification
The most common form of identification is a valid driver’s license.
Other accepted identification may include certain state identification cards, military identification, previous passports, or government employee identification.
If your driver’s license was issued by a different state than the state where you are applying, bring a second form of identification. (Travel.state.gov)
Official identification requirements:
Passport Photo Identification Requirements
Step 4: Make Your Photocopies
You will normally need:
• A photocopy of your citizenship document
• A photocopy of the front and back of your photo identification
Use standard 8½ by 11 inch white paper. Print on only one side. Do not shrink the images so much that they cannot be read. (Travel.state.gov)
Step 5: Get a Passport Photo
You need one passport photo. The acceptance facility may offer photo service, or you may bring your own qualifying photo.
More photo help appears later in this guide.
Step 6: Find an Authorized Acceptance Facility
Many post offices, county offices, clerks of court, public libraries, and local government offices accept passport applications.
Use the official locator:
Find a Passport Acceptance Facility
You may need an appointment. Check the facility’s instructions before you go.
Step 7: Bring the Correct Payments
When applying in person, you usually make two separate payments:
- One payment to the U.S. Department of State
- One payment to the passport acceptance facility
The State Department generally requires a check or money order for an application submitted at an acceptance facility. The facility decides which payment methods it accepts for its separate $35 acceptance fee. (Travel.state.gov)
Do not assume one credit card will cover everything. Call or check the facility website before leaving home.
Current Passport Fees
These fees were current in July 2026. Always confirm them with the official fee calculator before paying.
First Time Adult, Age 16 or Older
Passport book:
$130 application fee
$35 acceptance fee
Total: $165
Passport card:
$30 application fee
$35 acceptance fee
Total: $65
Passport book and card together:
$160 application fee
$35 acceptance fee
Total: $195
Adult Renewal
Passport book: $130
Passport card: $30
Passport book and card together: $160
There is no $35 acceptance fee for a standard adult renewal completed by mail or online. (Travel.state.gov)
Child Under Age 16
Passport book: $100 application fee plus $35 acceptance fee
Total: $135
Passport card: $15 application fee plus $35 acceptance fee
Total: $50
Passport book and card together: $115 application fee plus $35 acceptance fee
Total: $150
Children must apply in person and cannot renew a passport.
Optional Additional Fees
Expedited processing: Add $60 per application.
One to three day return delivery: Add $23.36 for a passport book.
The faster return delivery option does not apply to passport cards. Passport cards are mailed by regular First Class Mail. (Travel.state.gov)
Check the exact amount before writing a check:
Official Passport Fee Calculator
Renewing a Passport by Mail
Step 1: Complete Form DS 82
Use the official form filler:
Print the completed form on one sided paper.
Unlike Form DS 11, you do sign Form DS 82 before mailing it.
Step 2: Include Your Most Recent Passport
You must mail your most recent passport with the renewal application.
Yes, this feels peculiar. It is also required.
The old passport and the new passport may arrive in separate envelopes. Your supporting documents may arrive as much as two weeks after the new passport. (Travel.state.gov)
Step 3: Include Proof of a Legal Name Change, if Needed
If your current legal name is different from the name in your passport, include a certified copy of the legal document showing the change.
Examples include:
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Court ordered name change document
Do not send an ordinary photocopy unless the instructions specifically allow it. The State Department generally requires a certified copy for a legal name change. (Travel.state.gov)
Step 4: Include One New Passport Photo
Staple the photo to the application exactly as the DS 82 instructions show. Use four staples placed vertically near the outer corners. Do not bend the photo. (Travel.state.gov)
Step 5: Include Payment
Pay by personal check or money order payable to:
U.S. Department of State
Write the applicant’s full name and date of birth on the front or memo line.
Do not mail cash.
Step 6: Mail the Application
The correct mailing address depends on where you live and whether you selected routine or expedited processing.
Do not rely on an address copied from an old article, old form, or social media post. Use the current address shown on the official renewal page:
Official Mail Renewal Instructions and Addresses
I recommend using a mailing method that provides tracking. Keep the tracking receipt until your application is listed as received.
Renewing a Passport Online
Online renewal may be the simplest option for an eligible adult, but it is not available in every situation.
Before Starting, Make Sure:
• You are not traveling internationally for at least six weeks
• You do not need expedited service
• You have your current passport
• You are not changing your name or personal information
• You meet the age and passport issuance requirements
What You Will Need
• A Login.gov account
• Your current passport information
• A digital passport photo
• A credit or debit card
• An email address you check regularly
Once you submit the renewal, your old passport will be electronically cancelled. Do not attempt to travel with it. (Travel.state.gov)
Start here and nowhere else:
Official Online Passport Renewal
Passport Photos Without the Fuss
A bad photo can delay an otherwise perfect application. This is not the place for glamour lighting, portrait mode, beauty filters, or creative cropping.
My Recommended Method
The easiest and safest choice is to have the photograph taken at a location that regularly provides passport photos.
Good options include:
• A post office offering passport photo service
• An authorized passport acceptance facility
• A reputable pharmacy or shipping store that specifically offers United States passport photos
• A professional photographer familiar with current passport requirements
USPS locations may offer printed photos for in person or mail applications and digital photo service for online renewals. (USPS)
When scheduling a post office appointment, check the box for passport photo service if it is offered.
Basic Photo Rules
The photo must:
• Be in color
• Have been taken within the last six months
• Show your current appearance
• Be clear, sharp, and properly exposed
• Have a plain white or off white background
• Show your full face directly facing the camera
• Show your eyes open
• Have a neutral expression or a natural closed mouth smile
• Be free of shadows on your face and background
• Be printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper for a paper application
• Measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches for a printed application
Your head must be centered and sized correctly within the photograph. (Travel.state.gov)
Remove Your Glasses
Eyeglasses are generally not allowed in passport photographs.
A medical exception is possible in limited situations, but it requires a signed statement from a medical professional.
Hats and Head Coverings
Do not wear a hat or casual head covering.
Religious head coverings worn daily may be allowed, but they cannot hide or cast shadows on the face. Medical head coverings may require documentation.
Clothing
Wear normal everyday clothing.
Do not wear a uniform, camouflage uniform, or anything that resembles an official uniform. Avoid a white shirt if possible because it can disappear into the white background.
Do Not Edit the Photo
Do not:
• Use a beauty filter
• Smooth your skin
• change your eye or hair color
• Remove the background digitally
• Use artificial intelligence to create or alter the photo
• Remove red eye with editing software
• Stretch, compress, or reshape the image
The State Department requires the original, unchanged image and specifically warns against photos altered with apps, filters, software, or artificial intelligence. (Travel.state.gov)
If the picture is bad, take another picture. Do not try to doctor it into submission.
Taking a Baby’s Passport Photo
Lay the baby on a plain white or off white sheet in good, even light.
Take the photograph from directly above. Make sure no parent, hand, car seat, pacifier, toy, or other object appears in the picture.
The baby should face the camera. The State Department allows more flexibility with the expressions and eyes of newborns and very young infants, but the child should still be photographed as clearly as possible.
Official photo examples:
Passport Photo Requirements and Examples
Passports for Children Under 16
Every child, including an infant, needs their own passport for international air travel.
A child cannot be added to a parent’s passport.
The child must appear in person with the parents or legal guardians.
You Will Usually Need:
• Completed Form DS 11, unsigned
• The child’s original or certified proof of citizenship
• A photocopy of the citizenship document
• Proof of the parents’ or guardians’ relationship to the child
• Identification for both parents or guardians
• Photocopies of the front and back of those identifications
• One qualifying passport photo of the child
• The required fees
Both parents or guardians generally must appear with the child and give consent. (Travel.state.gov)
When One Parent Cannot Attend
The absent parent will normally need to complete Form DS 3053, Statement of Consent in front of a notary.
A photocopy of the identification shown to the notary must be included.
The consent form and related notarized statements must generally be submitted within 90 days of being signed or notarized. (Travel.state.gov)
Official form:
Form DS 3053 and Other Passport Forms
When One Parent Has Sole Legal Authority
Bring the certified document proving that authority, such as:
• A birth certificate listing only one parent
• A court order granting sole legal custody
• A court order specifically permitting the passport application
• A certified death certificate for the other parent
• An adoption decree showing the applying parent as the only parent
Custody situations can be complicated. Read the official child passport instructions before your appointment.
Official Passport Instructions for Children Under 16
Applicants Age 16 or 17
Applicants age 16 or 17 must apply in person using Form DS 11.
They must show that at least one parent or legal guardian knows about the application. The easiest method is for one parent or guardian to accompany the teenager, present identification, and sign where required.
A passport issued at age 16 or 17 is generally valid for 10 years. (Travel.state.gov)
Official instructions:
Passport Instructions for Ages 16 and 17
Current Processing Times
As of July 2026:
Routine processing: 4 to 6 weeks
Expedited processing: 2 to 3 weeks
These times do not include mailing.
The State Department says it may take up to two weeks for an application to arrive and enter the system, plus up to two more weeks for the completed passport to arrive after it is mailed. (Travel.state.gov)
That means a routine passport could take considerably longer than the advertised processing period from the day you place the application in the mail.
My Recommendation
Apply at least four to six months before an international trip whenever possible.
Earlier is even better. A passport sitting safely in your home is far less stressful than a passport application sitting somewhere in the postal system while your final payment date approaches.
Processing times can change. Check them here:
Current Passport Processing Times
Traveling Soon
International Travel Within 14 Days
You may qualify for an appointment at a regional passport agency if you have proof of international travel within 14 calendar days.
Appointments are limited. You cannot simply walk into an agency.
Official urgent travel instructions:
Life or Death Emergency
A life or death emergency generally involves the death, imminent death, or life threatening illness or injury of an immediate family member outside the United States.
There is a separate emergency process:
Life or Death Emergency Passport Service
Be Careful With Appointment Sellers
The government does not charge a fee merely to schedule an appointment at a passport agency.
Do not pay a stranger, social media account, or third party website for an appointment slot. The State Department warns that it is not affiliated with third party appointment booking services. (Travel.state.gov)
Lost or Stolen Passports
Report a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible.
Once it is reported lost or stolen, it is cancelled and cannot be used again, even if you later find it.
Official reporting instructions:
Report a Lost or Stolen Passport
If your valid passport is lost or stolen inside the United States and you need a replacement, you will generally apply in person using Form DS 11 and submit Form DS 64.
If it is lost or stolen while you are outside the United States, contact the nearest United States embassy or consulate.
Find a United States Embassy or Consulate
Damaged Passports
A significantly damaged passport cannot normally be renewed by mail.
Examples of serious damage include:
• Water damage
• Mold
• Large stains
• Significant tears
• Missing pages
• Unofficial writing or markings
• Damage to the information page
Normal wear, a few folded pages, or small bends do not necessarily count as serious damage.
For a damaged passport, you will normally apply in person using Form DS 11, submit the damaged passport, and provide a signed explanation of what happened. (Travel.state.gov)
Name Changes and Corrections
The correct process depends on when the passport was issued and why the information needs to be changed.
You may use Form DS 5504 in certain situations, including some name changes made within one year of passport issuance and corrections of government printing or data errors.
You may need Form DS 82 for an eligible renewal with a name change.
You may need Form DS 11 if you do not qualify for either of those options.
Use the official instructions rather than guessing:
A government printing or data error may be corrected without an application fee. (Travel.state.gov)
Checking the Status of Your Application
It may take up to two weeks after mailing an application for the status to appear online.
Check your status only through the official government website:
Official Passport Application Status
You will need your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. (passportstatus.state.gov)
The State Department may also send updates to the email address listed on your application.
Watch your email, including the spam folder. If the government requests additional information, respond quickly. An unanswered request can delay the application.
After Your New Passport Arrives
Open it and check every detail immediately.
Make sure the following are correct:
• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your place of birth
• Your sex marker
• Your photograph
• The issue date
• The expiration date
Sign the passport book in the space provided. A passport is not considered fully valid until it is signed.
For a young child who cannot sign, the parent may print the child’s name and sign the parent’s own name according to the State Department’s instructions.
Store the passport in a secure, dry location.
Do not laminate it.
Do not punch holes in it.
Do not use it as a souvenir stamp book. Unofficial novelty stamps can cause problems at international borders.
Before Every International Trip
Check each traveler’s passport, including the children’s.
Confirm:
• The name matches the airline reservation exactly
• The passport is not damaged
• It will remain valid long enough for the destination
• It has enough blank pages
• You have the correct passport book, not only a passport card
• Any required visa or electronic travel authorization has been completed
Do this before paying for nonrefundable travel arrangements whenever possible.
Protecting Your Passport While Traveling
Carry the physical passport where it is secure but accessible.
Keep a clear photograph or scanned copy of the identification page in a password protected location. A copy will not replace the passport, but it can help an embassy or consulate assist you if the original is lost or stolen.
Leave another copy with a trusted person at home.
Do not post a passport photograph on social media. Your passport number, date of birth, and other identifying information are not vacation content.
The Very Simple Passport Checklist
For a First Time Adult Applicant
□ Complete Form DS 11
□ Do not sign it
□ Gather original proof of citizenship
□ Make a photocopy of the citizenship document
□ Bring valid photo identification
□ Copy the front and back of the identification
□ Get one passport photo
□ Find an authorized acceptance facility
□ Make an appointment if required
□ Confirm which payment methods the facility accepts
□ Bring separate payments if required
□ Keep your receipt and tracking information
For an Adult Renewal by Mail
□ Confirm you qualify to renew
□ Complete and sign Form DS 82
□ Include your current passport
□ Include a certified name change document if needed
□ Include one passport photo
□ Include a check or money order
□ Verify the current mailing address
□ Use tracked mailing
□ Keep copies of the application and mailing receipt
For a Child Under 16
□ Complete Form DS 11
□ Do not sign it
□ Bring the child to the appointment
□ Bring the child’s citizenship document
□ Bring proof of the parents’ relationship to the child
□ Bring both parents or the required consent or custody documents
□ Bring parents’ photo identification
□ Make all required photocopies
□ Bring one passport photo of the child
□ Bring the correct payments
Official Passport Links in One Place
Report a Lost or Stolen Passport
International Travel Requirements by Country
One Last Word From Jani
Do not wait until the month before your trip to look at your passport.
Pull it out when you begin planning. Check the name, condition, blank pages, and expiration date. Then check it again for every person traveling with you, especially the children.
A passport problem caught six months before departure is an errand.
A passport problem caught at the airline counter is a catastrophe with luggage.
Welcome to the Traveler’s Handbook
If you’re here, chances are you’re planning a trip, dreaming about one, or just looking for an answer to a travel question. Whatever brought you here, I’m glad you stopped by.
The Traveler’s Handbook is exactly what it sounds like, a growing collection of practical advice, destination guides, travel tips, checklists, and honest answers to the questions travelers ask every day. Some articles are quick reads. Others go a little deeper. Every one is written with the same goal: helping you travel with more confidence and a lot less stress.
This isn’t a book that was written all at once. It’s being built one page at a time. As I add new articles, they’ll appear here on The Road Map, making it easy to explore, learn something new, or find exactly what you need before your next adventure.
So grab a cup of coffee, stay awhile, and don’t forget to bookmark this page. I have a feeling you’ll want to come back.
After all…
One page at a time, we’re building a smarter way to travel.
XOXO, Jani – Personal Travel Advisor | Take Time To Travel, LLC
Journeys With Jani: Traveler’s Handbook 
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