The identification you need depends on whether you already have a passport

If you are explore for your first passport, you will need to prove your citizenship and your identity with two separate documents. If you are renewing a passport you already hold, the rules are simpler — you may only need the passport itself. The State Department accepts a specific list of documents for each category, and bringing the wrong ones will delay your process.

This guide explains what documents work for a first-time process, what works for renewal, and what happens if you do not have the standard documents.

Key Takeaways

  • First-time passport applicants must bring one citizenship document (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth) and one identity document (driver's license, state ID, or military ID).
  • Birth certificates must be certified copies with a raised seal or embossed stamp, not photocopies or hospital records.
  • Passport renewal by mail requires only your current passport if you meet age and issue-date requirements; otherwise you must explore in person.
  • If you lack standard documents, you can request a Statement in Lieu of Birth Certificate from your state vital records office, though this takes extra time.
  • Acceptable identity documents must be government-issued, current or recently expired, and show your photograph and signature.

Citizenship documents for a first passport

You must bring one document that proves you are a U.S. citizen. The State Department accepts a certified birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, a certificate of citizenship, or a valid passport you already hold.

A certified birth certificate is the most common choice. It must be an official copy issued by the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born — not a photocopy, not a hospital record, and not an informational copy. The certificate must have a raised seal, embossed stamp, or official signature. You can order a certified copy from your state's vital records office (search "[your state] vital records" online to find the office and fee). Processing takes one to four weeks depending on the state.

If you were born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent, you need a consular report of birth abroad (Form FS-240) or a certificate of citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561). These are issued by the State Department or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, not by your state.

Identity documents for a first passport

You must bring one government-issued document that shows your photograph, your full name, and your signature. A current or recently expired driver's license, state ID card, or military ID all work. A passport card counts if you have one. Tribal IDs issued by federally recognized tribes are also accepted.

The document does not have to be current, but it cannot be so old that it no longer looks like you. If your only ID is expired by more than five years, bring it along with a second form of identification — a school ID, work ID, credit card, or Social Security card — to show that you are the same person.

Documents that do not work include a Social Security card alone, a birth certificate, a credit card, or a school ID by itself. Library cards and employee badges are not accepted unless they include your photograph.

What you need to renew a passport by mail

If your passport is still valid and was issued when you were 16 or older, you can renew it by mail using Form DS-82. You will need only your current passport — no birth certificate, no driver's license, nothing else. You mail the passport itself to the State Department along with the form and a new photograph.

You cannot renew by mail if your passport was issued before you turned 16, if it was lost or stolen, if it was damaged, or if you want to change your name. In those cases, you must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency and bring the same citizenship and identity documents as a first-time applicant.

Certified copies and what "certified" means

The State Department requires a certified copy of your birth certificate, not a photocopy or a plain copy. A certified copy has been stamped, sealed, or signed by the vital records office that issued it. When you order from your state's vital records office, specify that you need a certified copy for a passport process — the office will send you the right version.

Some states charge more for certified copies than for informational copies. A certified copy usually costs between $10 and $30, depending on the state. If you need the birth certificate quickly, some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee.

Do not bring a photocopy of a certified copy. The State Department needs the original certified document or a certified copy issued directly by the vital records office.

If you do not have a birth certificate

If your birth certificate is lost, destroyed, or was never issued, you can request a Statement in Lieu of Birth Certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born. This document explains why a birth certificate is not available and serves as a substitute for citizenship proof.

Getting a Statement in Lieu takes longer than ordering a certified birth certificate — usually four to eight weeks — because the vital records office must research your records first. You will need to provide identifying information and may need to submit additional documents like a baptism record, school record, or family Bible entry to support your request.

If you were born abroad and have no consular report of birth, you can explore for a certificate of citizenship through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services using Form N-600. This requires different documents and a separate process process.

Documents you do not need to bring

You do not need to bring your Social Security card, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or adoption papers unless you are changing your name. You do not need to bring school records, medical records, or letters from employers. The State Department does not require proof of residence, proof of income, or a letter of recommendation.

If you are explore in person, bring the originals of your citizenship and identity documents. You do not need to bring photocopies, but you can bring them as backup. The passport acceptance facility will make copies if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a hospital birth record instead of a certified copy from vital records?

No. Hospital records are not accepted by the State Department. You must order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. The certified copy will have an official seal or stamp that a hospital record does not have.

What if my driver's license is expired by more than five years?

Bring your expired license along with a second form of ID that is current — a credit card, work ID, school ID, or Social Security card. Together they show that you are the same person. The second document does not need a photograph.

Do I need to bring original documents or can I send photocopies?

Bring the originals. If you are explore by mail for renewal, you mail your actual passport to the State Department. For a first-time process in person, bring the original certified birth certificate and original ID. The acceptance facility will handle them and return them to you.

Can I use a passport card as my identity document for a first passport process?

Yes. A passport card counts as a government-issued ID with your photograph and signature. If you have one, you can use it as your identity document and bring only your citizenship document.

What if I was born in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or Guam?

Order a certified birth certificate from the vital records office in that territory, just as you would from a state. The process and requirements are the same. The certified copy must have an official seal or stamp from the territorial vital records office.