Get a Passport

Step 1.Application

All first time applicants and those renewing a passport in person must complete form DS-11 using black ink only.

Please note: The U.S. Department of State requires that all passport forms must be printed in full size on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper without any information being cut off. Otherwise, a new form will have to be completed. 

Step 2.Requirements

• Applicants must appear in person.
• Applicants 16 & 17 years old without a valid driver’s license must appear with a parent or legal guardian with proper ID. Parental consent is recommended for those with their own driver’s license.
• First time applicants must have a certified birth certificate with a raised seal from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or Department of Health stating both parents’ names. If the parents’ names are not stated, you may obtain a new birth certificate from www.vitalchek.com  or by contacting the municipality or state where it was originally issued. A previously issued passport, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship or Consular Report of Birth Abroad is also acceptable.
• One color, 2” x 2” regulation passport photo taken within the last 6 months.
• Primary identification, such as a driver’s license, valid passport, or one of the other forms of identification listed below, is required. If you do not have primary identification, at least two (2) secondary forms of identification must be presented.
• Social Security numbers are mandatory for all applicants.
• If you are changing the gender marker in your U.S. Passport, please see the U.S. Department of State's website for more information.

Step 3.Requirements for U.S. Birth Certificate

The U.S. Department of State requires that the full names of the applicant’s parents are listed on all original and certified copies of birth certificates in order to to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship, regardless of age. You may obtain a new birth certificate from www.vitalchek.com or by contacting the municipality or state where it was originally issued.

Please note: Birth certificates issued by the Secaucus, Jersey City or Hudson County Vital Statistics Departments are not acceptable. You may contact the New Jersey Department of Health for a new one.

In addition, birth certificates must also include the following information to be considered acceptable primary evidence of citizenship:

• Full name of the applicant
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Full names of applicant’s parents
• Raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal of issuing authority
• Registrar’s signature
• The date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office (must be within one year of the date of birth)

If you have a birth certificate that does not meet these requirements, you must obtain a new one or you will be required to submit secondary evidence of U.S. citizenship.

Secondary Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

If you cannot present primary evidence of U.S. citizenship, you must submit more than one form of secondary evidence of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable secondary evidence includes: delayed birth certificates, Letters of No Record, early public or private records and Birth Affidavits.

Early Records

If you were born in the United States and cannot present primary evidence of U.S. citizenship, you may submit a combination of early public and/or private records as evidence of your U.S. citizenship. Early records must be submitted with a birth record or Letter of No Record. Early records should show your name, date of birth, place of birth, and preferably be created within the first five years of your life. They are not acceptable when presented alone. Examples of early public records are:

• Baptism certificate
• Hospital birth certificate
• U.S. Census record
• Early school records
• Family Bible records
• Doctor’s records of post-natal care

Step 4.Valid Forms of Identification

Primary Identification (acceptable alone):

• In-state, fully valid driver’s license or enhanced driver's license with photo
• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. Passport Book or Card
• Certificate of Naturalization (with recognizable photo)
• Certificate of Citizenship (with recognizable photo)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID
• Government employee ID (Federal, State, County or Municipal)
• Current valid foreign passport
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) - commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• Enhanced Tribal Card and Native American tribal photo ID
• Trusted Traveler ID (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards) 
• Other documents:
  • In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo
  • In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo
  • Temporary driver's license with photo
  • Please note: you may be asked to present an additional ID when presenting one of these three documents.

If you cannot provide one of the primary IDs listed above, at least two (2) secondary forms of identification must be presented.

Please note:

• Some states now issue digital ID documents (also known as mobile driver's licenses or mobile IDs). We cannot accept these digital IDs when you apply for your U.S. Passport. You must continue to submit your physical photo ID and a photocopy of the ID.
• If you present an out-of-state ID, you must present additional identification.