Helpful Resources › DS-11 vs DS-82
DS-11 vs DS-82: Which Form Do You Need?
The wrong form means a rejected application and wasted time. This guide explains exactly which passport form applies to your situation — and what to do next.
Quick Answer
New passport or replacing a lost/expired one? DS-11.
Renewing a valid adult passport by mail? DS-82.
Not sure? Read the detailed breakdown below to confirm which form applies to your specific situation.
Form DS-11
New passport application — in person
Use DS-11 when:
- Applying for your first U.S. passport
- You are under 16 years old (child passport)
- Your previous passport was issued when you were under 16
- Your previous passport expired more than 15 years ago
- Your previous passport was lost or stolen
- Your previous passport was damaged
- Your previous passport has been amended or altered
- Your name has changed and you cannot document it with DS-82 requirements
Key rule: Do NOT sign the form before your appointment
The DS-11 must be signed in front of the acceptance agent. If you sign it beforehand, you will need to complete a new form. This is one of the most common rejection reasons.
In-Person Required
DS-11 requires an in-person visit to an acceptance facility. You cannot mail this application in without a prior in-person identity verification step.
Form DS-82
Passport renewal by mail
Use DS-82 when:
- Renewing an adult passport (you were 16+ when it was issued)
- Your most recent passport was issued within the last 15 years
- Your passport is undamaged and in your possession
- Your name hasn't changed, or you have legal documentation of the change
- Your passport was issued after your 16th birthday
No acceptance facility visit needed
DS-82 applications are sent directly to the State Department by mail. You do not need to visit a post office or passport acceptance facility for this form. You can sign it in advance.
Mail-In Eligible
DS-82 renewals can be submitted entirely by mail. No appointment, no in-person visit. Fastest option via courier service: 2–3 business days.
Required Documents — By Form
DS-11Required Documents
Proof of U.S. Citizenship
Original or certified copy of birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Citizenship, or Naturalization Certificate
Government-Issued Photo ID
Driver's license, military ID, government employee ID, or previous passport if valid or issued within the past 15 years
One Passport Photo
2"x2" color photo, white background, taken within the last 6 months. See our Passport Photo Requirements guide for full specs.
Completed DS-11 Form
Must be completed and signed in the presence of an acceptance agent — do NOT sign before arriving at the facility
Application Fee
$130 for adults, $100 for minors under 16. Plus a $35 execution fee at the acceptance facility.
In-Person Identity Verification
You must appear in person at an acceptance facility (post office, clerk of court, library). Both parents must appear for minors under 16.
DS-82Required Documents
Your Most Recent Passport
Must be in your possession, undamaged, and issued when you were 16 or older. You will submit this with your renewal application.
One Passport Photo
2"x2" color photo on white background, taken within the last 6 months. Your renewal photo must be noticeably different from your current passport.
Completed DS-82 Form
You may sign this form in advance. No in-person visit to an acceptance facility is required for DS-82.
Application Fee
$130 for adult renewal. No execution fee for DS-82.
Name Change Documentation (if applicable)
If your name has changed, include a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing both your old and new name.
Let Fast Passport Center Handle the Paperwork
Not sure which form applies to you? Our team reviews your situation, tells you exactly which form to use, pre-reviews your application for errors, and hand-delivers it to the State Department passport agency. No guesswork, no rejections.
Avoid These Pitfalls
Most Common Application Mistakes
These errors cause the most passport rejections. Know them before you apply.
Signing DS-11 Before Your Appointment
The DS-11 must be signed in front of the acceptance agent as part of identity verification. If you sign it at home first, the agent will require you to complete a new form. Leave the signature line blank until you arrive.
Using DS-82 When Your Passport Is Damaged
Even minor water damage, torn pages, or faded information means you cannot use DS-82. You must apply using DS-11 as a damaged passport application, even if your previous passport was issued within the last 15 years.
Assuming DS-82 Works If Passport Expired 15+ Years Ago
DS-82 requires your most recent passport to have been issued within the last 15 years. If your passport expired in 2009 or earlier, you must use DS-11 and go through the full new-passport process.
Forgetting Both Parents Must Appear for Child Passports
For DS-11 applications for children under 16, both parents or legal guardians must appear in person at the acceptance facility and provide consent. If one parent cannot appear, Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) is required.
Mailing a DS-11 Application Without In-Person ID Verification
DS-11 is not a mail-in form. The in-person identity verification at an acceptance facility is a legal requirement of the application — not optional. You cannot skip it and mail the form in directly.
Submitting a Non-Compliant Passport Photo
Your photo must be exactly 2"x2" with a plain white background, taken within the last 6 months. Glasses are no longer allowed in any passport photos as of 2020. Non-compliant photos cause delays or rejections for both DS-11 and DS-82.
Common Questions
DS-11 vs DS-82 FAQ
The most frequently asked questions about which passport form to use and how each one works.
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