What to Bring to Your USPS Passport Appointment

Bring these documents and items to your USPS appointment

You need an original or certified birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship. You also need a completed application form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal), a passport photo, and payment. Bring originals, not copies — the acceptance agent will not process photocopies of your birth certificate or citizenship documents. If you cannot find your birth certificate, you can order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born, but this takes time, so plan ahead.

The specific documents shift depending on whether you are applying for your first passport, renewing an existing one, or replacing a lost or damaged one. A new applicant needs different paperwork than someone renewing. The USPS website lists what counts as proof of citizenship (a naturalization certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or certificate of citizenship all work), but a birth certificate is the most common and fastest route.

Key Takeaways

• Bring your original birth certificate, not a copy — the USPS acceptance agent will not process photocopies.
• You need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or military ID to prove your identity.
• Complete your application form before you arrive; DS-11 is for new passports and DS-82 is for renewals.
• Bring a passport photo that meets State Department standards (2x2 inches, taken within the last six months) and payment by check, money order, or card.
• If you do not have your birth certificate, order a certified copy from your state or county vital records office before your appointment.

What counts as proof of citizenship

A certified birth certificate is the easiest proof. It must be an official copy issued by the vital records office, not a hospital birth certificate or a photocopy. If you were born outside the United States, bring a consular report of birth abroad or certificate of citizenship instead. Naturalized citizens bring their naturalization certificate.

The document must be an original or certified copy. The USPS acceptance agent will examine it in person and will not move forward with a photocopy, even if it is notarized. If your birth certificate is in another state, contact that state's vital records office — most now issue certified copies by mail or online within one to two weeks.

Government-issued photo ID you will need

Bring one current photo ID issued by a government agency. A driver's license, state ID card, or military ID all work. The ID must not be expired, though some acceptance agents will accept an ID that expired within the last year — call your local USPS passport acceptance facility to confirm their policy before your appointment.

If you do not have a driver's license or state ID, a U.S. military ID, federal employee ID, or passport card counts. A school ID, work ID, or tribal ID does not. If you have none of these, contact the USPS facility where you have your appointment scheduled; they can tell you what other documents might work in your situation.

Application forms and how to fill them

Download and complete Form DS-11 if you are applying for a passport for the first time or if your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged. Download Form DS-82 if you are renewing an existing passport that is still in your possession and not damaged. Both forms are available on the State Department website and at the USPS location where you have your appointment.

Print the form, sign it in black or blue ink, and bring it with you. Do not sign it before you arrive — the acceptance agent must watch you sign. If you are under 16, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application and be present at the appointment. Leave the passport number field blank if you do not have a passport yet.

Passport photo requirements

Your photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and show your full face against a plain white or off-white background. You must be looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression — no smiling, no sunglasses, no hats (unless for religious reasons). The photo must be in color on white paper, not printed on colored stock.

You can have a photo taken at the USPS location itself if you arrive early, though this costs extra and the wait can be long. It is usually faster to have the photo taken at a drugstore pharmacy, a portrait studio, or a passport photo service before your appointment. Bring the printed photo with you; do not email it or bring it on your phone.

Payment and fees

Bring payment for the passport fee plus the acceptance fee. The passport fee varies by passport type (a standard adult passport book costs one amount, a passport card another), and the USPS acceptance fee is separate. Payment must be by check, money order, or credit or debit card — cash is not accepted at most USPS locations, though some accept it. Call ahead to confirm what your local facility takes.

Make checks or money orders payable to the U.S. Department of State, not to USPS. If you are paying by card, bring the card itself; you cannot pay over the phone or online at the USPS appointment. The acceptance agent will collect payment at the time of your appointment.

What to do if you cannot find your birth certificate

Contact the vital records office in the state or county where you were born. You can usually order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person. The cost ranges from $10 to $30 depending on the state, and processing takes one to three weeks by mail. Some states offer expedited service for an additional fee.

If you need your passport quickly and cannot wait for the birth certificate to arrive, you have two options: reschedule your USPS appointment for after the certificate arrives, or go to a passport acceptance facility in person with whatever documentation you do have and ask whether they can help you find an alternative route. Some acceptance agents can contact the vital records office on your behalf or accept other documents (such as a hospital birth certificate plus additional ID) in limited situations.

What to bring if you are renewing by mail instead

If your passport is not damaged and you still have it, you may be able to renew by mail instead of going to USPS in person. You would mail your completed DS-82 form, your passport, a new photo, and payment to the State Department address listed on the form. This route takes longer — usually four to six weeks — but you do not need to visit a facility.

However, if your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, or if your name has changed, you must go in person to an acceptance facility. USPS locations handle in-person applications; they do not process mail-in renewals. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for mail renewal, call the State Department's passport information line before scheduling your USPS appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a photocopy of my birth certificate?

No. The USPS acceptance agent must see the original or a certified copy issued by the vital records office. A photocopy, even if notarized, will not be accepted. If you do not have the original, order a certified copy from the state or county where you were born.

What if my ID is expired?

Most USPS acceptance agents will not accept an expired ID. Call your local USPS passport facility before your appointment to ask their specific policy — some will accept an ID expired within the last year, but this varies by location.

Do I have to sign the application at home or at the appointment?

Sign it at the appointment. The acceptance agent must watch you sign the form. If you sign it before you arrive, the agent may reject it and ask you to sign again, which delays your appointment.

Can I pay with cash at USPS?

Most USPS locations do not accept cash for passport fees. Bring a check, money order, or credit or debit card. Call your local facility ahead of time to confirm what payment methods they take.

How long does it take to get my passport after the appointment?

Standard processing takes four to six weeks from the date the State Department receives your application. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks but costs extra. The USPS acceptance agent will tell you the current processing time when you arrive.