First U.S. passport
You are age 18 or older and have never had a U.S. passport.
- info@samedaypassportvisas.com
- 145 S Fairfax Ave Suite 375, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
DS-11 first-time application help
Emergency New Passport Help
Prepare a consistent DS-11 application for a first U.S. passport or another case that cannot use an adult renewal route.
Use Form DS-11. First-time adults and applicants who do not qualify to renew must apply in person. Do not sign Form DS-11 until an authorized acceptance agent or passport employee asks you to sign.
Who this page is for
Prior passport does not qualify
Your previous passport was issued over 15 years ago, issued before age 16, lost, stolen, or badly damaged.
Urgent international travel
You are within 14 calendar days of travel and may need an appointment at a passport agency or center. Appointments are not guaranteed.
DS-11 document checklist
Citizenship evidence
- Qualifying U.S. birth certificate
- Full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
Identity and supporting items
- Physical government-issued photo ID
- Photocopy of the front and back of the ID
- One color passport photo taken within the last 6 months
- Proof of international travel for an urgent appointment
How to apply
- Complete and print Form DS-11 on single-sided paper.
- Gather citizenship evidence, photo ID, photocopies, photo, and any urgent-travel evidence.
- Do not sign the form in advance.
- Submit the application in person at an authorized acceptance facility, passport agency, or center as appropriate.
- Pay government fees to the correct government or acceptance-facility payee. SameDay private service and shipping fees are separate.
Current U.S. government fee examples
| Adult first-time document | Application fee | Acceptance fee |
|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 | $35 |
| Passport card | $30 | $35 |
| Book and card | $160 | $35 |
Optional government fees: $60 expedited service and $23.36 for 1-3 day return delivery of an issued passport book. Fees last verified September 1, 2026 from the U.S. Department of State. Verify again before payment. Private service and shipping fees are not included.
Timing and route
Within 14 days of travel
Review the official urgent-travel appointment route. Proof of international travel is required and appointment availability is controlled by the State Department.
Expedited processing
Current posted processing is 2-3 weeks, plus mailing time.
Routine processing
Current posted processing is 4-6 weeks, plus mailing time.
Check current official processing and urgent-travel options.
Frequently asked questions
Should I sign Form DS-11 before my appointment?
No. Sign only when the authorized acceptance agent or passport employee instructs you to sign.
Are a driver's license and birth certificate the same type of evidence?
No. Citizenship evidence and identity evidence are separate requirements. Bring the original or qualifying citizenship document plus the required photocopies and a physical photo ID.
How recent must my passport photo be?
The U.S. Department of State requires a color photo taken within the last 6 months.
Get the right route before you submit
SameDay Passport & Visas is a private document-assistance service. Government agencies control eligibility, appointments, processing, approval, and issuance.
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Our Locations
We take the complexity and uncertainty out of the visa application process by working directly with foreign consulates on your behalf.
Los Angeles
145 S Fairfax Ave Suite 375, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
Arlington
1420 N Cooper St Suite 108 Arlington, TX 76011
Austin
6901 N Lamar Blvd Suite 126 Austin, TX 78752
Dallas
811 S Central Expy Suite #500 Richardson, TX 75080
New York
347 5th Ave Suite 1212 A New York, NY 10016
Houston
2100 West Loop South Suite 900 Houston, TX 77027
Washington DC
1441 L St NW Suite #1231 Washington, DC 20005