What to Bring to Your Passport Appointment

The documents you need before you go

Bring your completed passport application form, a valid photo ID, and proof of citizenship. For a first-time passport, you also need your original birth certificate or naturalization papers. If you are renewing, you need your current or expired passport. Bring originals, not copies — the acceptance agent will not process photocopies of citizenship documents.

You will also need a new passport photo unless you are renewing and your appearance has not changed significantly. The photo must be 2x2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. You can have it taken at the passport acceptance facility itself, usually for a small fee, if you arrive without one.

Bring the payment method the facility accepts. Most take cash, check, or money order for the application fee, and some take credit or debit cards. The fee varies depending on whether you are getting a passport book, passport card, or both, and whether you are applying for the first time or renewing. Ask the facility when you schedule your appointment what they accept and what the current fee is.

Key Takeaways

• Your original birth certificate or naturalization document is required for a first-time passport and cannot be replaced by a photocopy.
• A valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or military ID must be current or expired no more than five years.
• Your passport photo must be 2x2 inches on a plain background and taken within six months, or you can have one taken at the facility for a fee.
• Bring the exact payment method the acceptance facility accepts — cash, check, money order, or card — and confirm the current fee when you schedule.
• If you are renewing, bring your current or expired passport instead of a birth certificate.

What counts as valid photo identification

A valid photo ID means a government-issued card with your photo, signature, and date of birth. A driver's license or state ID card works. So does a military ID, passport card, or tribal ID. The ID must be current or expired no more than five years ago.

If you do not have a driver's license or state ID, you can use a military ID, passport card, or an ID issued by a federally recognized tribe. Some acceptance agents will also take a school ID if it has your photo and signature, though this is less common. Call the facility ahead of time if you are unsure whether your ID will work.

Proof of citizenship documents you cannot substitute

For a first-time passport, you must bring an original birth certificate issued by the vital records office in the state where you were born. A hospital birth certificate, a photocopy, or a certified copy from an online service is not enough — the acceptance agent needs the official document from the state.

If you were born outside the United States, bring your original naturalization certificate or Certificate of Citizenship. If you were born to a U.S. citizen parent abroad, bring your Consular Report of Birth Abroad or your Certificate of Citizenship. Do not bring a photocopy. The acceptance agent will examine the original and return it to you.

If your birth certificate has your maiden name and you have since married, you do not need a new birth certificate — bring the original with your maiden name and bring your marriage certificate as well. The acceptance agent will note both documents in your file.

Passport photos: what the rules actually are

Your photo must be 2x2 inches, in color, taken within the last six months, and printed on photo paper. The background must be plain white or off-white — no patterns, no other people, no filters. You must be facing the camera directly, with a neutral expression and both eyes open. You cannot wear sunglasses, a hat, or anything that covers your face, though religious head coverings are permitted if they do not hide your face.

If you wear glasses, the lenses cannot have a glare or reflection that hides your eyes. If you wear a wig or hairpiece as part of your daily appearance, you can wear it in the photo. Your photo cannot be digitally altered beyond basic color correction.

If you do not have a photo, most passport acceptance facilities have a photographer on site or nearby who can take one for you. The cost is usually between $10 and $20. You can also have a photo taken at a pharmacy, a big-box store, or a professional photographer and bring it with you. The acceptance agent will inspect it to make sure it meets the rules before accepting it.

Payment: what to bring and what it costs

The acceptance facility will tell you the current fee when you schedule your appointment. Fees change and vary slightly by location. Generally, a first-time passport book costs more than a renewal, and a passport card costs less than a book. If you want both a book and a card, you pay for both.

Ask the facility which payment methods they accept — cash, check, money order, or card. Some facilities only take certain methods. If you are paying by check or money order, make it out to the U.S. Department of State. Bring exact change if you are paying cash, because many facilities do not give change.

You will also pay an execution fee to the acceptance agent for processing your application. This is separate from the passport fee itself. The acceptance agent will tell you the amount when you arrive. Bring enough to cover both fees.

Documents for special situations

If you are renewing your passport and your appearance has changed significantly, bring a new photo. If you are renewing and your name has changed since your last passport, bring the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a name change.

If you are applying for a passport for a minor, the parent or guardian who is not present must sign a notarized consent form. Bring the original notarized form, not a photocopy. If the minor's parents are divorced or separated, bring custody documents or a court order showing who has the right to consent.

If you are applying for a passport card only (not a book), you still need the same citizenship documents and photo ID. The card is smaller and cannot be used for international air travel, but it can be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

What happens if you forget something

If you arrive without a required document, the acceptance agent will not process your application. You will have to reschedule and come back. This means your passport will take longer to arrive, and you may miss travel plans.

Call the facility before your appointment if you are unsure about any document. The staff can tell you exactly what you need and whether substitutes are allowed. If you cannot get an original birth certificate before your appointment, ask whether you can bring a certified copy or whether you need to reschedule.

If you are applying for a passport for a minor and the other parent will not sign the consent form, contact the facility or the State Department before your appointment. There are legal steps you can take, but they take time and you may need to reschedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a photocopy of my birth certificate instead of the original?

No. The acceptance agent must see the original birth certificate issued by the state vital records office. A photocopy, a certified copy from an online service, or a hospital birth certificate will not be accepted. If you do not have the original, you will need to order one from the state where you were born before your appointment.

What if my driver's license is expired?

An expired driver's license is acceptable as long as it expired no more than five years ago. If it expired more than five years ago, bring a different form of valid photo ID such as a military ID, passport card, or state ID card.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card?

No. You do not need to bring your Social Security card. The acceptance agent will ask for your Social Security number and will verify it, but you do not need to show the card itself.

Can I use a digital photo on my phone instead of a printed photo?

No. Your passport photo must be printed on photo paper and be 2x2 inches. A digital image on your phone will not work. If you do not have a printed photo, the acceptance facility can take one for you on site.

What if I was born outside the United States?

Bring your original Certificate of Citizenship or Consular Report of Birth Abroad, not a photocopy. If you were naturalized, bring your original naturalization certificate. The acceptance agent will examine the original and return it to you after recording the information.