Are you planning to travel abroad? Make sure your passport is within the validity period. Whether you are applying for your first US passport or renewing an expired one, the first thing you need to do is fill out the passport application form. There are multiple types of passport forms for different conditions. In this passage, we are going to explore some common forms and introduce how to fill out a US passport application.
Primary Passport Forms
The Department of State has launched a Form Filler for citizens to fill out applications, which saves time and prevents errors. All you need to do is to enter the required information and print it out. Moreover, if you have no access to it, or you apply outside the US, you can also download the PDF from the following links and complete it by hand.
DS-11 Passport Form
It is an official application form for a new passport. There are 6 pages in total, 4 of which explain how to fill in the form and 2 of which gather personal information. It can be used for the following conditions:
- apply for the first US passport application for the first time
- apply for passports for kids under 16
- not satisfy the requirements for passport renewal
DS-82 Passport Form
It is used for the U.S. passport renewal application which contains 6 pages. The first page lists a series of questions to verify your eligibility for renewal. Please note that kids under 16 are not eligible to renew their passports. They have to apply for a new one with DS 11 form.
DS-5504 Passport Form
This is used to correct data, prove name changes or replace a limited-validity passport (less than 10 years). It can be sent to the passport processing center at Post Office Box 90107
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0107 by mail along with supporting documents that verify the mistakes.
DS-64 Passport Form
This is used to report the passport lost or stolen. To report online, please go to “Report Lost or Stolen” part and click the “Submit” button. Besides personal information, valid lost or stolen US passport book/card information is also required.
- Explain in detail how it was lost or stolen. If there is a photocopy, include it in your report.
- Where it is lost or stolen? Offer the address if known.
- When it is lost or stolen? If not sure, write down the last time you remember holding it.
- Tell if you have reported it to the police.
- List the number and issue date of the lost passport if you still remember them.
DS-3053 Passport Form
This is a statement of consent for issuing a child’s passport when the parent or guardian fails to be present with the child for application. It is an attachment of the DS 11 form. Required information includes the child’s name, date of birth, consent for passport book/card/both, name of the parent present when the child is under 16, absent parent/guardian’s name, phone number and email address.
DS-5525 Passport Form
This is a statement of special family circumstances along with DS-11 passport application form. For example, the parent should complete this form when the other parent/guardian cannot be located by answering questions such as the child’s name/date of birth, Applying Parent/Legal Guardian’s Name, Non-Applying Parent/Legal Guardian’s Information, court order of custody, condition of the non-applying parent/legal guardian, attempts to contact the non-applying parent/legal guardian and other related explanations.
How to Fill DS-11 Passport Form
According to the Department of State, you can fill out the online form or paper form. Don’t sign the DS 11 form until in the presence of an authorized agent at the passport acceptance facilities or agencies.
When filling DS 11 form online, it will create a completed form according to the information you provided. Fill all the fields with red “*” marks which means required fields. Click the question mark beside if you have any questions. If you complete it by hand, please print out the PDF and fill it with black ink. Read the instructions on the first 4 pages carefully and start filling from the 5th page. No matter which way you choose, the questions below are must-fill.
- Passport Book/Passport Card/Both/Regular Book/Large Book
A passport card is a more portable and cheaper alternative to a passport book for land/cruise travel, but not acceptable for international flight travel. You can apply for either a passport book or card, or both. A larger book contains more pages than a regular one, which is more suitable for frequent travelers.
- Name
It should be consistent with that on the proof of citizenship and identity attached to your applications, such as birth certificates, previous passports, driving licenses, etc.
- Date & Place of Birth
Enter your date of birth in the format of MM/DD/YYYY. If you are in the United States, please enter city and state. If outside the US, please enter the city, province and country.
- Social Security Number (SSN)
Every US citizen must provide an SSN. If not, you have to enter zeros (000-00-0000) in this field and hand in a signed statement indicating that ” l declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: l have never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration.”
- Gender
You can choose between F for female, M for male, and X for transgender or transgenders or intersex. If you want to change the gender mark from that printed on the previous passport, tick the “Yes” box below “Changing Gender Marker?”
- Height
Enter your height in feet and inches.
- Hair Color & Eye Color
Select it from the drop-down list.
- Occupation
Enter a title or describe your work even if you are not employed. Enter “student” or “child” for children.
- Mailing Address
This is required even if you decide to pick up passports in person. Please note that your permanent address should not be a P.O. Box or Casilla Postal.
- Email Address
Enter your email address in the format of yourname@domainname.com. Reenter the same email address for confirmation in the “Confirm email address” field.
- Phone Numbers
Make sure to enter at least one piece of valid contact information.
- Emergency Contact
This is not required but recommended. The embassy or consulate will contact him/her in an emergency.
- Parental Information
Enter full name, date of birth, gender and “yes” or “no” for US citizenship of both parents. If unknown, check the “Unknown” box and submit related documents.
- Spouse Information
If married, enter full name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, “yes” or “no” for US citizenship, and date of most recent marriage in the format of MM/DD/YYYY of your spouse.
- Alias or Previous Names
If you have ever changed your name, you should list all other names that have been used, such as birth name, maiden/previous marriage or other legal name change.
After filling in all required fields online, you will review the DS 11 form. Check the information you have provided. If there is anything wrong, click the “Edit” button and correct it. If not, scroll to the bottom and click “Next”. Choose passport options, processing and delivery service. In this passage, you will learn about the application fee based on your choice. In the next step, you can scroll down to find the “Print Your Form(s)” button. Click it and generate a PDF file. If there is an error, you can “Start New Application” instead of making any handwritten modifications to it.
How to Fill Out DS-82 Passport Form
This is a US passport renewal form. The required fields for this electronic form are the same as the DS 11 form online. When filling in electronically, please provide information about your current passport on the “Your Most Recent Passport” Page, including the date of issuance in the format of MM/DD/YYYY and your name printed on it,
The paper form also has 6 pages: the first 4 for instructions, the latter 2 for filling. On the first page, you will see Section A which is used to check your eligibility to use this form. Only when the answers to the six questions are Yes can you continue. Here is the eligibility for renewal.
- Your current U.S. passport book and/or card is not damaged or lost, and it was issued within the last 15 years.
- You are at least 16 years old.
- Your passport has at least a normal ten-year validity period.
- You have never changed your name or you can provide proof of name change.
How to Submit Passport Form
The new passport application DS 11 form must be handed in at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency in person. Both parents must be present with the child for the child’s passport. Supporting documents include proof of citizenship, proof of identification documents (IDs), and one colored passport-style photo.
The DS-82 passport form can be sent by post. Include the passport renewal form, most recent passport, proof of name change (if applicable), passport-size photo, and payment receipt in your package. Where to send the package depends on where you live, and the service you choose.
- For routine service in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, or Texas, please send to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155
- For routine service in other states or Canada, please send to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
- For expedited service, please send it to the following address with “EXPEDITE” on the package:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
Summary
Now that we have learned about primary forms for passport applications and renewal, let’s make a conclusion on how to fill out a US passport application. If you use the electronic form, just enter all required fields and print out the completed form. If you download it, just read the instructions on the PDF carefully and fill it out with black ink. Please note that the Form DS-11 application for a U.S. passport must be submitted in person along with the other complementary forms while the DS-82 passport renewal form can be submitted by post.
Dolores Xiao