To prove your identity, you must present either a current and valid driver's license with a photo that has been valid for the past year or a state ID with a photo valid for at least one year.

Please bring a photocopy of both the front and back of your driver's license or state ID to the Acceptance Agent office. If you do not have either, you will need to provide Supplemental Identification, click here for a list of acceptable supplemental IDs.

If you do not have a drivers license you can use a State ID, Military ID, or any Gov't ID.

Paper Learner's Permits and temporary licenses are not acceptable.

3. Photo Requirements

One color passport photo (2×2 with white background).
Click here for Photo Requirements Eyeglasses are not allowed.
Read the Photo Requirements, "Rejected Photos" are the top reason for Passports being delayed.
Locate a Passport Photo Store near you.

4. Passport Application Form

Complete DS-11 Form with required barcode on top left-hand margin.

This form must be completed online and printed on two pages (not front & back), and signed by the applicant in front of the Acceptance Agent.

The passport office will not accept hand written DS-11 applications.
Print out 2 copies of the DS-11 pages 5 and 6 (don't need the first four pages of instructions). One copy must be executed and endorsed by the Acceptance Agent (AA) and sealed in a Government Envelope; and the other copy is clipped to the Outside of the sealed Government Envelope - and inside the FedEx envelope.

IMPORTANT:

One DS-11 Passport Application Form must be sealed INSIDE the government envelope by the Acceptance Agent.
Departure date on the DS-11 should match travel evidence departure date.

Example of 2D Barcode on form

5. DS-64 Form – Report Stolen Passport

The applicant must complete a DS-64 form to report a lost or stolen passport and explain how, when, and where it got lost and what you did to recover it. If you run out of room on the DS-64, you can use an extra piece of paper to explain.

6. Letter of Authorization

Complete and Sign TWO (2) Letters of Authorization (LOA).
Both must be signed by the applicant in black ink
The courier company name is required by the government and should be printed or written in black pen on the line above where you sign your name.

IMPORTANT: One copy will go inside the Government envelope, the other copy must be inside your FedEx envelope.

7. Travel Itinerary

Proof of Travel departure must be within 2 weeks unless you need a visa (then proof of departure can be within 4 weeks).
Flight itinerary (computer generated) from the airline or a travel agency, copy of airline ticket, or a corporate letter for business travel. If you are traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean, you can provide a hotel reservation, cruise tickets, or international car insurance.

Print TWO (2) copies of proof of departure

One copy of the proof of departure should be attached to the outside of the sealed envelope and one inside the FedEx envelope.

8. U.S. Government Fees

Include a U.S. Postal Money Order or Bank Cashier's Check for $190 payable to the U.S. Department of State.

Print name and birthdate on the memo line.

Please note: "U.S. Department of State" must not be abbreviated.

A separate $35 payment - in any form - is made to the Acceptance Agent when you visit the post office or courthouse.

9. Call to Reserve a Courier, make Payment

Call (888) 442-4465 to Reserve a Passport Courier Appointment at the Passport Agency for your Application.

Payment To Passport Express by credit/debit card only.

Please provide your credit card to reserve a passport courier time slot with the US Passport Agency – this is nonrefundable, the Passport Agency has limited reservations. Payment is required to secure your passport courier reservation. This will guarantee your courier reservation with the U.S. Passport Agency and expedited service. Note: The US Passport Agency determines eligibility to receive a passport based on proof of citizenship and compliance with the instructions provided.

How fast do you need your US Passport?

Urgent: 2 - 5 Days / $499 + Government Fees + Shipping
Rush: 6 - 20 Days / $399 + Government Fees + Shipping
Priority: 21+ Days / $299 + Government Fees + Shipping

Processing and Shipping Times are based on Business Days.

State Department/Government fees and Shipping fees are not included in Passport Express fees.

RESERVE PASSPORT COURIER

10. Visit an Acceptance Agent

Acceptance Agents verify identity, review documents, witness signatures, seal items in a government envelope and collect Acceptance Agent fees. The Acceptance Agent (AA) will assist when you sign the DS-11 Passport Application at the designated AA office. Passport Acceptance Agents are at designated post offices, courthouses or libraries see below.

Find the nearest Passport Acceptance Agent (You often need an appointment).

Note: A separate $35 payment - in any form - is made to the Acceptance Agent when you visit the post office or courthouse.

What happens at the AA office?

IMPORTANT - You must tell the Acceptance Agent you are using a “Hand Carry” passport courier service.

The Hand Carry rule is in the AA’s rulebook and they can refer to that if they are unfamiliar with the rule.

The Hand Carry rule is what allows you to get a fast passport.

The Acceptance Agent will:

Have you sign and then countersign and stamp the DS-11 application form.
Record information from your driver’s license and attach a photo to DS-11.
Insert Letter of Authorization and $190 Bank Cashier’s Check or Money Order payable to the U.S. Department of State (no abbreviations) in Government Envelope.
Insert copy of flight/travel itinerary or business letter in Government Envelope.
The Acceptance Agent will hand the Envelope to you, you must inform the AA you are using a courier service for “Hand Carry”.
You will then FedEx the Sealed Envelope and photocopies to the Courier.

11. Items Inside the Sealed Government Envelope

The original documents are inside the AA SEALED GOVERNMENT ENVELOPE.

The certified birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, and/or old passport will be returned with the new passport.

Sealed government envelope documents include the following:

One (1) DS-11 Passport Application signed and completed with a 2D Bar Code.
Completed and signed DS-64 form.
Certified Birth Certificate or naturalization certificate or old passport.
Photocopy of the front and back of your driver’s license or state ID.
One (1) Client Letter of Authorization filled out and signed.
Flight/Travel itinerary materials or company letter.
One (1) color passport photo.
Bank Cashier’s Check or Money Order made payable to: US Department of State for $190. Print applicant’s name and birthdate on the memo line of the check.
No personal checks

The envelope’s STAMPED SEAL must not be tampered with or broken or the application is VOID and you will have to start all over again.

DO NOT include the extra copy of the DS-11 or the payment to Passport Express INSIDE the sealed envelope.
Keep the DS-11 copy separate and away from the AA who seals the envelope.
The copy of the unsigned DS-11 may be paper-clipped to the OUTSIDE of the SEALED Government Envelope.
The DS-11 copy must be included in the FedEx envelope for for our courier to reference.

12. Call PASSPORTEXPRESS.us (888) 442-4465

We will review your documents and email you a Fedex shipping label that you can printout.

FedEx Ship your Sealed AA Envelope and Documents to our Courier

Sealed Government Envelope from Acceptance Agent for the U.S. Passport Agency.
Copy of unsigned DS-11 with bar code on top left margin
Copy of Proof of Departure
Copy of signed Letter of Authorization (LOA)