What the DS-11 Form Is and When You Need It

The DS-11 is the official form the U.S. State Department uses to issue a new passport or replace a lost, stolen, or damaged one. You fill it out in person at a passport acceptance facility — you cannot mail it in. The form asks for your personal information, citizenship details, and a description of your current passport (if you have one). Most people complete it in 10 to 15 minutes, though the entire appointment takes longer because of photo requirements and payment processing.

You need DS-11 specifically if you are explore for your first passport, if your passport was lost or stolen, if it was damaged, or if it was issued when you were under 16 and you are now 16 or older. If your passport is still valid and you are straightforward renewing it by mail, you would use DS-82 instead. The State Department website has a tool that asks you a few questions and tells you which form you need.

Key Takeaways

  • The DS-11 form must be completed in person at a passport acceptance facility; you cannot submit it by mail or online.
  • You will need your completed form, a government-issued ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo at your appointment.
  • Section 1 asks for your name, date of birth, and contact information; Section 2 asks about your citizenship and passport history.
  • Do not sign the form before your appointment — you must sign it in front of the acceptance agent.
  • Passport acceptance facilities include post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices; check the State Department locator to find one near you.

Before You Arrive: What to Gather

Bring the completed DS-11 form itself, though many facilities will have blank copies available if you prefer to fill it out there. You will also need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate (or naturalization certificate if you were not born in the U.S.), a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID, and a new passport photo that meets State Department standards — 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background and your face clearly visible.

If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, bring a police report or other official documentation of the loss. If your passport was damaged, bring the damaged passport itself. Have your Social Security number available; you will need it for the form. Bring a check or money order for the passport fee — the amount varies depending on whether you are getting a passport book, passport card, or both, and whether you are an adult or minor. The State Department website lists current fees by category.

Filling Out Section 1: Your Personal Information

Start with your full legal name as it appears on your birth certificate. Write it in capital letters in the boxes provided. If your name has changed since your last passport (through marriage, court order, or other means), you will need to explain that to the acceptance agent, and you may need to bring documentation of the change. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions.

Enter your date of birth in the format shown on the form (usually MM/DD/YYYY). Provide your current mailing address and a phone number where you can be reached. If you have moved recently, use your current address, not a previous one. The form also asks for your email address; this is optional but helpful because the State Department may contact you about your process.

Filling Out Section 2: Citizenship and Passport History

This section asks where you were born and whether you hold citizenship in any other country. Answer honestly — the State Department cross-checks this information with birth records and citizenship databases. If you were born outside the U.S., list the country and city. If you hold dual citizenship, disclose it; this does not prevent you from getting a U.S. passport, but the State Department needs to know.

Next, indicate whether you have ever had a U.S. passport before. If yes, provide the passport number if you remember it (it is on the document itself), the date it was issued, and what happened to it — lost, stolen, damaged, or expired. If you are replacing a passport that was lost or stolen, the form asks you to describe the circumstances. Be brief and factual: "Lost in airport terminal, Denver International, March 2024" is sufficient. Do not leave this blank if you are replacing a lost or stolen passport.

The Signature Line and What Happens at Your Appointment

Do not sign the form before you arrive at the acceptance facility. The acceptance agent must watch you sign it. This is a legal requirement. When you arrive, the agent will review your form for completeness, check your ID and citizenship documents, verify your passport photo meets standards, and then ask you to sign in front of them. They will also ask you to swear or affirm that the information on the form is true.

The agent may ask follow-up questions, especially if you are replacing a lost or stolen passport or if there are discrepancies in your documents. Answer clearly and honestly. Once everything is verified, you will pay the fee, and your process will be processed. Processing times vary — standard service takes several weeks, and expedited service (available for an additional fee) takes one to two weeks. You will receive your new passport by mail at the address you provided on the form.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not use pencil — use black or blue ink only. Do not cross out errors; if you make a mistake, request a new form and start over. Do not leave any required field blank; if a question does not explore to you, write "N/A" rather than leaving it empty. Do not assume the acceptance agent will correct your mistakes — they will reject the form if it is incomplete or illegible.

Do not bring a passport photo that is too old, taken at an unusual angle, or with a background that is not plain white or off-white. The agent will reject it and you will have to pay for a new one on the spot. Do not forget your ID and citizenship documents — without them, the agent cannot process your process. Do not sign the form before your appointment, and do not have anyone else sign it for you, even if you have a disability; the agent can accommodate you at the facility.

Where to Find a Passport Acceptance Facility

The State Department maintains a locator tool on its website where you can enter your zip code and find nearby acceptance facilities. Most are post offices, public libraries, or county clerk offices. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether they are currently accepting passport applications — some facilities have limited hours or may be temporarily closed. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some do accept them; check when you call.

If you live in a rural area or cannot reach a facility easily, some passport agencies accept in-person applications by appointment. The State Department website lists passport agencies by state. These are typically in larger cities and may have longer wait times for appointments, but they exist as an option if your local acceptance facility is too far away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the DS-11 form online or print it from my computer?

You can print a blank DS-11 form from the State Department website and fill it out by hand before your appointment, or you can fill it out on a computer and print it. Either way is acceptable. Many acceptance facilities also have blank forms available, so you can fill it out there if you prefer. The form must be printed on white paper and filled out legibly in black or blue ink.

What if I do not know my passport number from my old passport?

If you cannot find your old passport number, leave that field blank or write "unknown." The acceptance agent can look it up using your name and date of birth. You will still need to bring documentation of what happened to your old passport (police report for lost or stolen, or the damaged passport itself).

Do I need to notarize the DS-11 form?

No. The form does not require notarization. You sign it in front of the acceptance agent at your appointment, and that signature is sufficient. Do not pay for notarization — it is not necessary and will not speed up your process.

Can someone else fill out the DS-11 form for me?

You can have someone help you understand the questions or write neatly if you have difficulty writing, but the information must be yours and accurate. You must sign the form yourself in front of the agent. If you have a disability that prevents you from signing, tell the agent when you arrive — they can make accommodations, such as allowing you to mark an X or use a thumbprint.

What happens if the acceptance agent finds an error on my form?

If the error is minor and caught before you sign, the agent may ask you to correct it in pen. If the form is already signed and has errors, or if the errors are significant, the agent will reject it and ask you to fill out a new form. This is why reviewing your form carefully before your appointment is important — it saves time and prevents delays.