First Time, Renewal and Minors Applicants

You are considered a first time applicant if any of the following apply: 

• You are applying for your first U.S. passport
• You are under age 16
• Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16
• Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
• Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago
• Your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change

You are considered a renewal applicant if any of the following apply:

Your most recent U.S. Passport:

• Is undamaged and can be submitted with your application
• Was issued when you were age 16 or older
• Was issued within the last 15 years
• Was issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change

If the above statements do not apply to you, you must  apply as a first time applicant.

Steps to submitting a U.S. passport application in person:

Step 1: Complete  and submit  form DS-11 or DS-82.

Step 2: Submit evidence of U.S. Citizenship.

When applying for a U.S. passport in person, evidence of U.S. citizenship must be submitted with Form DS-11. All documentation submitted as citizenship evidence will be returned to you. These documents will be delivered with your newly issued U.S. passport or in a separate mailing.

Step 3: Present identification.  Primary Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (One of the following):

• Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport
• Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state*
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship

*A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note, some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.

STEP 4: Submit supporting information:

Review the requirements shown in the side bar of this page.

STEP 5: Provide two passport photos.

Your photographs must be:

• Identical.
• In color.

• 2 x 2 inches in size.
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance.
• Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
• Taken in normal street attire:
  
  • Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily
  • Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline
  • If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture
  • Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons (a medical certificate may be required)

Step 6: Pay the applicable fee.

Effective, Tuesday July 13, 2010:

The Consulate cashier accepts US and Mexican currency and major Credit Cards.

Applications for minors:

Both parents must provide consent in person or trhough form DS-3053 authorizing passport issuance for a minor under age 16.