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First-Time Passport - 3-STEP Process
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
If you answer yes to any of the following, you may proceed to Step 1.
- You are applying for a US passport for the first time.
- Your expired US passport is not in your possession.
- Your previous US passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago.
- Your previous US passport was issued when you were under 16 and you are now over sixteen.
IMPORTANT: Due to heavy demand and a backlog in Government passport application processing, you must call to reserve a space prior to sending applications.
STEP 1 - GATHERING YOUR DOCUMENTS
A. Must Prepare the Online DS-11 Application
Print Online Application Form DS-11
IMPORTANT: Complete the form online. Press the "create form" button at the bottom of the screen to create a bar-coded DS-11 application form. A correctly completed DS-11 application will have 3 bar codes: one on the left and one at the bottom of the 1st and 2nd page. Print the form but DO NOT SIGN IT YET. It must only be signed in front of the Acceptance Officer at the post office or clerk of court.
If your passport was lost or stolen, also complete form DS-64 and submit along with the DS-11 Application. Click the following link below.
Print DS-64
B. Certified U.S. Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate
An acceptable birth certificate can only be issued by the Office of Vital Records or Vital Statistics from the state where you were born. The certificate of birth must have a raised or embossed seal with a filing number. Other signs of a certified birth certificate is an Impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the Date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth.
The Naturalization must be the original certificate. Copies of naturalization certificates are not accepted!
IMPORTANT: Hospital Birth Records are NOT accepted! Call Vital Check at 1-800-255-2414 for assistance on how you may request an expedited certified birth certificate, or visit www.vitalchek.com.
C. Two Passport Photos
Your photographs must be:
a. 2x2 inches in size
b. Identical
c. Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
d. Color
e. Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
f. Taken in normal street attire
g. Uniforms should not be worn in photographs.
h. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline unless worn daily for religious purposes.
i. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
j. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons.
NOTE: Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable
D. Two Letters of Authorization
This letter authorizes Embassy Visa & Passport Services, LLC to act on your behalf to discuss your case with the United States Passport Services Administration.
One Copy of the letter will be sealed with the application for the U.S. government, and the other must be placed on the outside of the sealed envelope for our records.
Same Day Authorization Letter [PDF]
3-Day Authorization Letter [PDF]
IMORTANT: Failure to include a letter of authorization will place your application on suspension.
E. Proof of Travel
Proof of Travel can be in the form of a copy of the airline tickets, a travel itinerary, or a company letter stating the name of the applicant and departure date.
IMPORTANT: Failure to include proof of travel will place your application on suspension at the Department of State Passport Services.
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STEP 2 - VISITING WITH AN ACCEPTANCE AGENT (AA)
Visit with a designated U.S. Post Office or Clerk of Court. The most popular AA can be found at a local U.S. Post Office. There will be a post office in your area of work or home that is designated to handle the sealing of your DS-11 Passport Application and supporting documents.
You will request that your DS-11 and supporting documents be sealed into an envelope and returned to you. The agent will proceed to seal your documents. This tampered proof envelope will be given to you, and this envelope can only be opened by an agent from the U.S. Passport Agency in Washington, DC.
IMPORTANT: Be prepared to include the above items listed in STEP 1. All items must be sealed! Also, it is required that you present a valid photo identification such as a driver's license to prove that you are the person who is applying.
Search for the nearest post office or clerk of court in your hometown.
Click below to begin your search
Find a Designated Post Office or Clerk of Court
U.S. Government Fee of $160.00
Adult and young adults over age 16 and older will pay the following government fees:
Application fee of $135.00 and a U.S. Post Office/Clerk of Court Execution fee of $25.00.
Payment can be in the form of a personal check, money order, or debit card.
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STEP 3 - DELIVERING YOUR SEALED ENVELOPE
Send using FEDEX only!
Two Office Locations
Travel date is 7 Days or sooner from today’s date, ship to:
Embassy Visa & Passport Services, LLC
1900 L Street, N.W., Suite 220
Washington, DC 20036
Attn: Passport Procurement Office
Travel date is 8 Days or longer from today’s date, ship to:
Embassy Visa & Passport Services, LLC
18701 Autumn Mist Drive
Germantown, MD 20874
Attn: Passport Procurement Office
IMPORTANT: Our guaranteed Same Day Service requires that we submit your application to the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services by 9:30 each morning. In order to guarantee a same day process, you must overnight your application using FEDEX FIRST OVERNIGHT, which allows for a delivery by 8:00 a.m. Do not use any other form of overnight delivery, as it will not guarantee a same day process. Please make certain that you write down your tracking number in the event that your package is experiencing delays.
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AFTER SHIPPING YOUR DOCUMENTS
Upon completing STEPS 1 - 3, please email us the following information so we may ensure your expedited U.S. Passport process:
A. Full Name
B. Date of Birth
C. Date of Departure
D. FedEx Delivery Tracking Number
You may be required to reserve your space during the travel high season mid-May through August.
* We service our clients on a first-come, first-serve basis. We guarantee our service.
* A penalty of $75.00 may apply if there was no effort to inform us by email or by phone your desire to cancel.
EMAIL: AmericanpassportDC@gmail.com
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Warranty, Limitation of Liability, and Other Legal Terms
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