First-Time Passport Application

Please follow the instructions on this page if:

• You have never had a U.S. passport issued in your own name;and
• You have been issued one of the following documents (If you are no longer in possession of the original document, you must obtain a certified copy from the issuing authority before submitting your application):
• A U.S. Birth Certificate - for certified copies, please contact the state in which you were born. The National Center for Health Statistics maintains a list of states' contact information for this purpose;
• A U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) - for certified copies, please contact the Passport Services Office at the Department of State;
• A U.S. Certification of Birth (Form FS-545 or DS-1350) - for certified copies, please contact the Passport Services Office at the Department of State;
• A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship - for certified copies, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
• A U.S. Naturalization Certificate - for certified copies, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;

Note: If you are applying for the first passport for a child under the age of 18 who was born overseas, you must first report the child's birth. You may apply for the child's first passport at the same time.

Application Requirements

Please bring the following documents with you:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship:
  • a U.S. Birth Certificate; or
  • a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad; or
  • a U.S. Certification of Birth; or
  • a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship; or
  • a U.S. Naturalization Certificate;
• Proof of identity:
  • a valid passport of any country; or
  • a valid driver's license with photograph; or
  • a national identity card with photograph; or
  • a valid U.S. or State government ID card; or
  • a U.S. military ID card;
• Any foreign passport that you may currently hold, have held, or been included in;
• Your foreign (non U.S.) naturalization certificate: If you have acquired another nationality through naturalization or registration since the issuance of your proof of citizenship;
• Name change documentation: If you have changed your name since your proof of citizenship was issued, you will be required to furnish name change documentation, i.e. your marriage certificate. If you have changed your name by means other than marriage, please see Specific Requirements for Changes of Name section for additional application requirements;
• Passport application form DS-11: Follow the instructions on this page. Form DS-11 must be printed on separate sheets of paper. Do NOT print this form on the front and back of the same sheet. Applicants aged 16 and over must sign their own application;
• Two identical 5x5cm passport photographs: The Embassy will reject any photographs that do not meet the specified requirements. Vending machine photographs and photographs printed on a home computer are unacceptable;
• Fees: The application fee for an applicant under the age of 16 is U.S. $85.00; aged 16 and over is $100.00. Accepted payment method is cash, U.S. dollars only;
• Additional documents may be required depending upon the circumstances of your case;
• If applying for a child under the age of 16, you will also be required to submit both parents' consent.

Method of Application

You are required to apply for the passport in person at this office. The American Citizens Services Unit public hours are any working day, Monday through Friday, between 09:00 and 12:00 in the morning.

Processing Time

An application for a full-validity (ten years for adults; five years for children under age of 16) passport will be sent to the United States for printing with a secure, photo-digitized image of the bearer. You should allow seven working days for your application to be processed. When your new passport is ready, you will need to come back to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy to pick it up.

In cases where the applicant must travel urgently or has an immediate need for a passport, the Embassy or Consulate can issue an emergency limited-validity passport.