Flag

An official website of the United States government

Travel Advisory Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory Level 2: Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Read More...
Required Documents for a U.S. Passport
Important Passport Information

Please note: There is no walk-in service for United States citizens who require a service related to passports, citizenship or birth registration. These services are by appointment only.

Visit this page for information on the fees associated with the passport services below.

For each passport application, you are required to bring clear photocopies of all the documents you will be submitting with the application (applicant’s passport, parents’ passports or IDs, birth and marriage certificates, etc.). Learn more about photo requirements – photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected.

View Local Information
Online Passport Application
Additional Guidance
Schedule an appointment

Documents Required to:

Emergency Passport

If you have urgent need of travel and there is insufficient time in which to process a full-validity U.S passport, you may apply for an emergency, limited-validity U.S. passport.  You may also apply for an emergency passport if your application for a full-validity passport is still pending and you have urgent travel within the next 2 business days.

Application requirements, including fees and required documents, for emergency passports are the same as those for full-validity passports. Please find those requirements detailed below. More information on Emergency Passports.

Apply for a Second Passport

The issuance of a second passport is not automatic and should be considered an exception to the regulations. An application is approved on an individual basis and only when justified.

Second passports may be issued if:

  • A passport is needed both for confirmed travel and submission for foreign visa applications simultaneously;
  • The primary passport is held by the BiH government or foreign embassy and the applicant has confirmed travel; and/or
  • The applicant has confirmed travel plans to a foreign country which will deny a visa or entry to the bearer of a passport containing markings or visas showing travel to certain other countries.

Required Documents:

Apply for an Adult Passport – my last passport was issued before I was 16 or more than 15 years ago

If you are applying to renew a U.S. passport issued before age 16 or more than 15 years ago, you must apply in person through a pre-arranged appointment.

Required Documents:

  • Your most recent U.S. passport;
  • One passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected; BiH size photos will not be accepted;
  • Government issued photo I.D (such as U.S or foreign passport, driving licence or military I.D). A U.S. passport will meet this requirement if it is not expired;
  • If your passport was issued more then 15 years ago, please provide 1-2 photographs per year from when your last passport was issued to present, to show how your appearance has changed (family or informal photos are acceptable);
  • If you have changed your name since your previous U.S. passport was issued, you will be required to furnish legal documentation (e.g. marriage certificate, Change of Name Deed) to prove this change;
  • Form DS-11. Please complete the form online, then print and bring to your appointment. DO NOT mail this form to the United States and DO NOT sign the form until requested to do so by a Consular Officer.

Minors Applying for a Passport – Aged 16 and 17

Minors ages 16-17 with their own identification can apply for a passport by themselves.  However, it is recommended that at least one parent appear in person with the minor to identify him/her and to show parental awareness.

NOTE:  Although the two-parent consent requirement does not apply to minors aged 16 or 17, per Department regulations a passport generally will not be issued to a minor if a parent or legal guardian who has custodial rights over a minor has notified the Department in writing that he or she objects to issuance of the passport.

Examples of Parental Awareness

  • Having a parent accompany the minor when applying, or
  • A signed statement consenting to issuance of a passport from at least one parent (should be accompanied by a photocopy of that parent’s ID).

Change Name on U.S. passport

If you have changed your name, you may apply to have this change reflected in your U.S. passport. Please note that U.S. passports are no longer amended to change items appearing on the data page; you will therefore need to apply for a new U.S. passport in your new name. When completing the relevant application form, you should complete the form in the name you wish to appear in your passport.

Required Documents:

  • Your current U.S. passport;
  • One passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected; BiH size photos will not be accepted
  • Evidence of your name change (see below)
  • The correct application form (see below)

Evidence of Name Change:

In order to complete your application, you must bring the relevant evidence of your name change:

  • Name change due to marriage: Marriage Certificate
  • Name change due to divorce: Divorce Decree which has both married and maiden names listed.
  • Name change due to court decision: A copy of the court decision.

Application:

If you are applying for your child who is under the age 16, you should follow the instructions for applying for a child’s passport. If this is your first passport after the age of 16, you should follow the instructions for a first time passport. If your U.S. passport was issued more than twelve months ago, please follow the instructions for a routine passport renewal.

You should use application DS-5504 if both of the following are true:

  • Your last passport is less than 12 months old.
  • You obtained your last passport after the age of 16.

Exchange a Limited Validity Passport for Full Validity

Required Documents:

  • Your limited validity passport U.S. passport;
  • One passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected. BiH size photographs are not accepted;
  • Form DS-5504. Complete the form online, print and sign it.

Incomplete or incorrectly completed applications will be returned unprocessed.

Renew a child’s passport under the age of 16

When applying to renew a U.S. passport for a child under 16 you must apply in person through a pre-arranged appointment. It is essential that the child appear in person.

You will need to bring the following:

  • Your child’s most recent U.S. passport;
  • One U.S. passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected; BiH sized photos will not be accepted;
  • If your child was under 5 at the time their last passport was issued, present 1-2 photographs per year from when that passport was issued to present, to show how their appearance has changed (family or informal photographs are acceptable);
  • Your child’s U.S. birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad, showing the parent’s name(s);
  • Government issued photo I.D of parents (such as U.S or foreign passport, driving license or military I.D);
  • Form DS-11.  Complete the form online and print.  Do not sign it.  You are required to sign the form before a consular officer.

The presence of the child is required together with both parents.  If one parent is unable to attend, please see below for additional information.

Under 16 – Only One Parent Can Attend

If Only One Parent Can Attend:

If one custodial parent is not able to attend, s/he must submit a notarized Form DS-3053 Statement of Consent. At the time the DS-3053 form is presented, a copy of the same identity document used to notarize the form must also be provided.

Alternatively, the applying parent may furnish one of the following documents:

  • Child’s birth certificate listing only applying parent;
  • Adoption decree (if applying parent is sole adopting parent);
  • Court Order granting sole custody to the applying parent (i.e the absent parent has no access to the child.  Child’s travel must not be restricted by that order;
  • Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent, or death certificate of non-applying parent.

Renew an Adult Passport

Required Documents:

  • Your most recent U.S. passport;
  • One U.S. passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected; BiH size photographs are not accepted;
  • If you have changed your name since your previous U.S. passport was issued, you will be required to furnish evidence of your name change, such as marriage certificate, Change of Name Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration or court order;
  • The non-refundable application fee.
  • Form DS-82.

Incomplete, unsigned or incorrect applications will not be accepted and will delay processing.

Requirements:

You may renew your passport if you meet all of the following requirements:

Your most recent U.S Passport:

  • Is undamaged and can be submitted with your application;
  • Was issued within the last 15 years;
  • Was issued with 10 year validity; and
  • Was issued in your current name or you have changed your name and can submit legal documentation (e.g. marriage certificate, Change of Name Deed) to prove this change.

If you do not meet all these requirements, refer to the requirements to apply for an adult passport.

Replace a damaged passport

U.S. Passports that are damaged or in poor condition must be replaced, as they are no longer valid for travel. For security reasons, damaged passports may be retained by this office. 

If your U.S. passport is damaged, you must apply for a new passport in person through a pre-arranged appointment.

Required Documents:

  • Your damaged U.S. passport;
  • Evidence of U.S. Citizenship. Such evidence may include but is not limited to: U.S. birth or naturalization certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or an expired, undamaged U.S. passport;
  • Valid, government issued photo I.D. (such as foreign passport, driving license or military I.D);
  • One U.S. passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected; BiH sized photos will not be accepted;
  • For applicants under 16, a birth certificate must also be presented and both parents must attend the appointment with the child. If only one parent can appear, please follow these instructions. Attending parents must bring valid, government issued photo I.D.;
  • Applicants aged 16-17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The accompanying adult must bring government issued photo I.D.  See above for more information for passport applicants aged 16-17.
  • The non-refundable application fee.
  • Form DS-11: Complete the form online and print. Do not sign it. You are required to sign the form before a consular officer.

Replace a lost or stolen passport

If your U.S. passport has been lost or stolen, you are required to apply for a new passport in person through a pre-arranged appointment.

Required Documents:

  • Evidence of U.S. Citizenship – Such evidence may include but is not limited to: U.S. birth or naturalization certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or an expired U.S. passport.
  • Valid, government issued photo I.D.(such as a U.S. or foreign passport, drivers license or military I.D)
  • One U.S. passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected.
  • For applicants under 16, a birth certificate must also be presented and both parents must attend the appointment with the child. If only one parent can appear, please follow these instructions. Attending parents must bring government issued photo I.D.
  • Applicants aged 16-17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The accompanying adult must bring government issued photo I.D. See above for more information for passport applicants aged 16-17.
  • Form DS-11: Complete the form online, then print and bring with you to the Embassy. DO NOT sign it until before a Consular Officer.
  • Form DS-64: Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport. This form will be automatically generated when you complete Form DS-11. Submitting this form will declare your passport as lost/stolen.

Birth of U.S. Citizens Abroad – Child's First Passport

A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if certain statutory requirements are met. Learn more about how and when to apply to for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)–including required documents.

Additional documents required to apply for the child’s first passport:

  • A completed Application for a U.S. Passport (form DS-11).
  • One passport photo (must be 2″ X 2″ (5 cm X 5 cm) with a white background.
    • Photo must be from within the last 6 months; a full front view; no glasses allowed.
  • The non-refundable application fee (payable in U.S. dollars, KM, or by credit card).