Passport answers
Real answers to the most common U.S. passport questions. Every answer is sourced from official government data and reviewed against the latest State Department guidance.
Forms
What form do I need for a first-time passport?
First-time applicants, all children under 16, and anyone whose previous passport was lost, stolen, damaged, issued before age 16, or issued more than 15 years ago must use Form DS-11 and apply in person at an acceptance facility.
Read answer →FormsIs the travel plans question on Form DS-11 required?
No, the travel plans section on Form DS-11 isn't required for a routine application, and leaving it blank won't get you rejected. If you have a trip booked, fill it in. It helps the State Department prioritize expedited or urgent requests.
Read answer →Renewal
Can I renew my passport by mail?
You can renew by mail with Form DS-82 only if your most recent passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and is in your current name (or you can document the name change).
Read answer →RenewalWhat happens to visas in my old passport?
When you renew, the State Department cancels your old passport and usually returns it to you. A valid foreign visa inside it often stays usable if you travel with both the old and new passports, but only the country that issued the visa can confirm that.
Read answer →Name change
How do I change the name on my passport?
If your passport was issued less than one year ago, use Form DS-5504 to correct the name at no fee. If it was issued more than one year ago, use Form DS-82 and include a certified name-change document with the renewal fee.
Read answer →Name changeWhat documents prove a name change for a passport?
Submit a certified copy of the legal document that changed your name: a marriage certificate, a divorce decree that restores a former name, or a court-ordered name change. It must be issued by the government authority, and photocopies or souvenir certificates aren't accepted.
Read answer →Travel requirements
What is the six-month passport validity rule?
The six-month rule means some countries require your U.S. passport to be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date. If your passport expires too close to your return, airlines may deny boarding and border officials may refuse entry even though the U.S. allows you to hold a passport until its expiration date.
Read answer →Travel requirementsDo I need a passport to go to Mexico?
Yes. Flying to Mexico requires a valid U.S. passport book — there are no exceptions for air travel. If you cross by land or sea, you can use a passport book, a passport card, or another WHTI-compliant document such as an Enhanced Driver's License or a trusted traveler card (SENTRI, Global Entry, or NEXUS).
Read answer →Travel requirementsDo I need a passport to go to Canada?
Yes for air travel — a valid U.S. passport book is required to fly to Canada. For land and sea crossings, U.S. citizens can also use a passport card, an Enhanced Driver's License, or a NEXUS card. Children under 16 crossing by land or sea can generally use a birth certificate instead.
Read answer →Travel requirementsDo I need a passport for a cruise?
It depends on the itinerary. On a closed-loop cruise — one that starts and ends at the same U.S. port — U.S. citizens can often sail with a government photo ID plus a certified birth certificate instead of a passport. However, the U.S. Department of State strongly recommends a passport book, because without one you cannot fly home from a foreign port in an emergency.
Read answer →Appointments
How do I make a regional passport agency appointment?
Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to request an appointment at the nearest regional passport agency. Appointments are reserved for travelers with urgent international travel within 14 days, or within 28 days if a foreign visa is required.
Read answer →AppointmentsDo I need an appointment to apply for a passport?
It depends on the facility. Some passport acceptance facilities accept walk-ins, while others require or strongly recommend appointments. Post offices, clerks of court, libraries, and other government offices set their own policies.
Read answer →Children
How do I get a passport for a baby?
Babies and children under 16 apply in person with Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility. Both parents or legal guardians must consent — usually by appearing together with the child. You need the child's U.S. birth certificate, a compliant passport photo, and payment. Child passports are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed by mail.
Read answer →ChildrenWhat documents does an unaccompanied minor need to travel abroad?
A child flying internationally without a parent needs their own valid passport book, the airline's unaccompanied-minor forms, and often a notarized consent letter from both parents or guardians. Some countries, including Mexico, have their own minor-departure or consent rules, so check the destination.
Read answer →Requirements
How many pages does a U.S. passport have, and can I add more?
You can pick a regular passport book or a larger 52-page book on Form DS-11 or DS-82, and the larger book costs nothing extra. The State Department no longer adds visa pages to existing passports, so when you run out you need a new passport.
Read answer →RequirementsHow do I photocopy my ID for a passport application?
Photocopy the front and back of your ID, such as a driver's license, on plain white 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Print on one side only and keep the copy legible. Bring the original ID too. Your citizenship evidence needs its own single-sided copy as well.
Read answer →RequirementsWhat is the Next Generation U.S. passport?
The Next Generation passport is the current U.S. passport design. Its information page is made of rigid polycarbonate, with a laser-engraved photo and stronger anti-fraud features, plus the electronic chip. Older passports stay valid until their expiration date, so you don't need to replace yours early.
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