How to Download Passport Applications

By Eric Jay Toll

All screen clips by the author

Crossing a border now requires a passport to return to the United States no matter what country is visited. For backpack-bound and outdoors travelers, it's an easy step to forget while planning an eco-vacation or active vacation. The Department of State makes it simple to download the passport application or to fill it out online and print. In just a couple of steps, the application is completed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:

Computer with Internet access
Computer with Internet access

Step 1

State Department homepage

Navigate to the State Department homepage, travel.state.gov. The passport application links are clearly displayed on the page.

Step 2

"First Time Adult Application" link

Select the passport option. For a new passport, the "First time adult applicant" selection links to the form selection pages.

Step 3

Form DS-11 is the standard adult passport application.

Navigate to Form DS-11, the standard adult passport application. There are some conditions and warnings listed under the link that need to be understood before proceeding.

Step 4

Select either online completion for printing, or printing for hand completion.

Offered in two options, Form DS-11 can be filled out online and printed, or a blank version can be printed and filled out by hand. DS-11 applications must be submitted in person. The instructions and locations are easily found on the passport website.

Step 5

The online version is easy to complete

Printing the passport application to fill in by hand delivers a typical multipage government document. The online completion option offers a series of screens to be filled out with the applicant's data. When completed, a clean, readable application is printed. It is also possible to save the completed form for digital records or print a second copy for a file version.

Step 6

Renewing a passport can be completed by mail

Renewing a passport adds the option of renewing by mail. In addition, if a traveler possesses a passport book, a passport card can be ordered by mail. The process is the same, only the form is different. Fill out a DS-82 for a renewal or to add a passport card (short form passport for North American use). The DS-82 can also be filled out online or by printing a blank form.

Tips & Warnings

Filling out the application online makes it neater and saves time. Filling it in by hand is best accomplished by printing the information. Many of the passport offices are in post offices or local court complexes; some take appointments. Paying an extra fee can expedite processing the passport application into as few as 14-21 days.

Filling out the application online makes it neater and saves time.

Filling it in by hand is best accomplished by printing the information.

Many of the passport offices are in post offices or local court complexes; some take appointments.

Paying an extra fee can expedite processing the passport application into as few as 14-21 days.

Avoid filling out the application by hand in order to decrease the likelihood of errors reading handwriting. All new passport applications must be submitted in person. A passport can take from 90 to 120 days to be issued, so plan well in advance.

Avoid filling out the application by hand in order to decrease the likelihood of errors reading handwriting.

All new passport applications must be submitted in person.

A passport can take from 90 to 120 days to be issued, so plan well in advance.

Resources

About The Author

Eric Jay Toll has put pen to paper since 1970. His work has appeared in technical publications, trade magazines, "Time," "Sports Illustrated," and numerous newspapers. Toll has been a community development director in the west for 30 years. Toll was a broadcast and media major at Southern Illinois University and an environmental studies-urban/regional planning major at Sonoma State University.

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