One of the least fun parts of applying for a passport is filling out the passport application form. Paperwork is never fun, and the procedure for filling out the application form can be a little bit confusing. To minimize the frustration, here’s a handy, step-by-step guide for filling out Passport Application Form DS-11, an application for a new passport.
Step 1- Read Pages 1,2 and 4. These pages have important information about the documents you’ll need to apply for a passport, information about fees, and other handy information. For example, did you know that the estimated “paperwork burden” for filling out a passport application form is 85 minutes?
Step 2- Fill out page 3 of the passport application form. You can do this in advance, but DO NOT SIGN it until the nice passport acceptance agent tells you to do so. If you sign it too soon, you get to start all over again.
Step 3- If you need a new passport, you must apply in person. Find a local passport acceptance facility and take your passport application in with the required documents and photos.
Step 4- Sign Form DS-11 when requested to do so.
Step 5- Submit pages 3 and 4 of the application form with your photos, proof of citizenship and fees. Even though you don’t have to write anything on page 4, you do have to turn it in as part of your application package.
Once you’ve submitted your passport application form, the wait begins. If you have a trip planned, we recommend that you apply for your new passport at least 2 months in advance. Even if you request the government’s expedited service, your passport application form could still take weeks to process.
If you don’t have that much time to spare, your best option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com. An expediting service can hand-deliver your passport application form for faster processing-sometimes as fast as 24 hours!
Don’t get left behind on your next international trip-Submit your passport application form today!