Passport Document Checklist Generator (2026)
Last updated: September 1, 2026
Your checklist
- Form DS-11 completed but unsigned
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate, prior passport, or naturalization certificate)
- Valid photo ID plus a photocopy (front and back on one page if needed)
- One compliant 2×2 color photo taken within six months
- Payment for the application fee (check or money order to U.S. Department of State)
- Separate payment for the execution fee to the acceptance facility
Steps at a glance
- Find an acceptance facility and note whether you need an appointment.
- Gather citizenship evidence and photo ID originals plus one ID photocopy.
- Get a compliant 2×2 photo or plan to buy one near the facility.
- Complete DS-11 online or by hand but do not sign until instructed.
- Bring two payments if the site requires separate checks.
Dedicated page: First-time adult checklist. Fees: first-time adult passport cost.
Checklists by scenario
Each page has a dedicated intro, missing-document guidance, and FAQs for that application type.
First-time adult
Bring Form DS-11 (unsigned until the clerk says so), proof of citizenship, photo ID with a photocopy, one 2×2 photo, and payment for both government fees.
Adult renewal
Qualifying adult renewals mail Form DS-82 with your most recent passport book, a new 2×2 photo, and payment. No execution fee when you still qualify.
Child under 16
Children under 16 always apply in person on DS-11 with the child present, citizenship evidence, both parents or notarized consent, a photo, and minor application plus execution fees.
Passport card
A first-time passport card uses the same DS-11 in-person path as a book. Bring citizenship proof, ID, a photo, and card application plus execution fees. The card is not valid for international flights.
Lost or stolen
Report the loss on Form DS-64, then apply in person with Form DS-11, citizenship evidence, ID, a new photo, and the same fees as a first-time adult book.
Book and card
Order both at one in-person DS-11 appointment: citizenship proof, ID, one photo, both application fees, and a single execution fee.
Why use a checklist before you apply
Passport acceptance facilities turn away incomplete packets every day. The fix is almost always the same: missing citizenship proof, an unsigned form, or a photo that fails the 2×2 rules. A checklist does not replace the official document list, but it keeps your appointment from stretching into a second trip.
First-time adults use Form DS-11 in person. Renewals by mail use DS-82 when you qualify. Children need both parents or consent forms. Replacements after loss or theft add DS-64. The generator above switches the list when your scenario changes, so you are not scrolling a generic page.
What happens if you are missing a document
Clerks cannot accept partial files. If your ID photocopy is wrong, they send you home to fix it before the packet ships. If the State Department rejects a photo after submission, processing pauses until you mail a compliant print. Fix only what the rejection letter lists. Do not file a second unrelated application.
Pair this tool with our passport cost calculator for fee totals and photo requirements checker before you pay for prints.
Common mistakes across scenarios
- Signing DS-11 at home before the acceptance agent instructs you
- One check for both application and execution fees when the site requires two
- Wallet-size photo strips instead of a cropped 2×2
- Photocopying only the front of a two-sided ID
Frequently asked questions
Can I print this checklist?
Yes. Use your browser print command. The checkbox squares are visual reminders only; nothing is submitted from this page.
Does the checklist include fees?
Each scenario links to a matching cost page with current application, execution, and optional expedite fees from our config.
Which form do I need?
DS-11 for first-time and most in-person applications. DS-82 for eligible renewals by mail. DS-64 when reporting a lost or stolen passport. The generator selects the right form for your scenario.
Calculate your passport total
Add expedite, photo, and execution fees to see a full breakdown.
Open the calculator