A U.S. passport is often required to complete identity verification for international wires on Relay, and this guide covers both first-time applications and renewals.
What you need before you start
Before you begin, gather the following:
Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad FS-240)
A valid government-issued photo ID (U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID card)
One compliant passport photo taken within the last 6 months
Payment for application and acceptance fees
Your most recent U.S. passport book (renewals only)
Should I use Form DS-11 or Form DS-82?
Use Form DS-11 for a first-time application or when you cannot renew. Use Form DS-82 (or the online renewal portal) if you meet every renewal requirement.
Use Form DS-11 if any of the following apply:
You are applying for your first U.S. passport
Your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago
Your previous passport was issued before you turned 16
Your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged
Use Form DS-82 or online renewal if all of the following apply:
You previously held a U.S. passport book
Your passport was issued when you were age 16 or older
Your passport was issued within the last 15 years
Your passport is not lost, stolen, or significantly damaged
Your current legal name matches the passport (or you have documentation of a legal name change)
How do I apply for a first-time U.S. passport?
First-time applicants must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility using Form DS-11. The process has five steps:
Complete Form DS-11 online or by hand, print it single-sided, and do not sign it yet.
Gather proof of citizenship, a government-issued photo ID, and photocopies of both (letter-size, single-sided; black-and-white or color are both accepted).
Get one compliant passport photo taken within the last 6 months.
Book an appointment at a passport acceptance facility such as a U.S. Post Office, local government office, or public library. At the appointment, sign DS-11 in front of the acceptance agent, submit your documents, and take the required oath.
Pay the application fee and acceptance facility fee at the appointment.
The acceptance agent seals your application and mails it to the U.S. Department of State for processing.
How do I renew my U.S. passport online?
You can renew online if you meet every eligibility requirement in the list below. Otherwise, renew by mail with Form DS-82.
Online renewal eligibility (all must apply):
You have a 10-year passport book and are age 25 or older
Your passport expires within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago
No personal information changes (name, sex, date of birth, place of birth)
You are not traveling within 6 weeks of submission
Your mailing address is in a U.S. state or territory (no APO, FPO, or DPO addresses)
Your passport is undamaged and has not been reported lost or stolen
If eligible, complete the renewal in the official State Department portal, upload a compliant digital photo, and pay electronically. Keep your physical passport until the new one arrives.
How do I renew my passport by mail with Form DS-82?
To renew by mail, complete Form DS-82, sign it, and mail it with your most recent passport book, a printed compliant photo, and payment.
Include the following:
Your most recent U.S. passport book
One printed compliant passport photo
Fee payment by check or money order
A certified name-change document if your current legal name differs from your passport
What are the passport photo requirements?
Your photo must be taken within the last 6 months on a white or off-white background, with a neutral expression and eyes open. The U.S. Department of State also requires:
No filters, digital enhancements, or AI alterations
No glasses (unless medically required with a signed doctor's statement)
Head positioned squarely toward the camera
Standard passport photo dimensions (2 × 2 inches)
Many drugstores, shipping stores, and passport acceptance facilities offer compliant photo services.
How much does a U.S. passport cost?
The current U.S. passport book fees for adults are $130 for the application plus $35 for the acceptance facility fee on first-time applications, and $130 for renewals.
Full fee breakdown:
First-time application (Form DS-11): $130 application fee plus $35 acceptance facility fee ($165 total)
Renewal by mail or online (Form DS-82): $130
Expedited service (optional): additional $60
1–2 day delivery of the passport book (optional): additional $22.05
Check travel.state.gov for the current fee schedule before you apply.
How long does the passport process take?
The U.S. Department of State estimates routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited processing at 2 to 3 weeks. Mailing time is not included in these estimates, so add a few extra days on each side if timing matters.
If you need your passport quickly, pay for expedited service when you submit rather than after your application is already in progress.
How do I track my passport application status?
Track your status at passportstatus.state.gov using your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Status updates are typically available about 2 weeks after submission.
Common issues that delay passports
Most passport delays come from one of these six causes:
Signing Form DS-11 before your acceptance-facility appointment
Submitting a non-compliant photo (filters, edits, glasses, or AI alterations)
Missing original documents or required photocopies on the DS-11
Name or personal details that don't match across your documents
Using the wrong form (DS-82 for a case that actually requires DS-11)
Incorrect fee amount or an unaccepted payment method
Double-check each of these before you submit or attend your appointment.
Where can I find official passport resources?
The U.S. Department of State maintains all authoritative passport information. Key resources include:
Passport home: travel.state.gov/passports
Processing times: travel.state.gov/passports/how-apply/processing-times
Photo requirements: travel.state.gov/passports/how-apply/photos
Find an acceptance facility: iafdb.travel.state.gov
Track your application: passportstatus.state.gov
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