Application type - passport book, card, or both

Choose what you are applying for at the top of DS-11: passport book, passport card, or both. The standard PDF also lets you choose regular or large book when a book is selected.

Passport book/card choices affect fees and use. Use official Travel.State.Gov rules if you are unsure which product you need.

Applicant legal name

Enter your last name, first name, and middle name as the applicant. Use the legal name that should match your citizenship evidence and passport record.

Do not use a nickname in the main name fields. Other names used go in the separate other-names fields.

Date of birth

Enter month, day, and year of birth in the date boxes shown on the form.

Use the applicant date of birth, not the date you fill or print the form.

Sex marker

Select the sex marker box shown on the application.

Use the current State Department instructions and the choices provided on the form.

Place of birth

Enter the applicant place of birth in the city/state or city/country format requested by the form.

For applicants born abroad, follow the form wording and official passport instructions.

SSN, alien number, and email

Enter the Social Security number if you have one, and use the alien number and email fields only when they apply to the applicant.

The DS-11 instructions treat SSN as sensitive and required when applicable. Do not leave sensitive information in an unsecured file.

Common question: can you type the form online and handwrite SSN later? One video walkthrough warns not to mix typed and handwritten entries casually; use the official form instructions and acceptance facility guidance.

Mailing address

Enter the mailing street address and address line 2 where passport documents should be sent.

Use a mailing address where you can reliably receive passport correspondence and returned documents.

Mailing city, state, ZIP, and country

Complete the city, state, ZIP code, and country fields for the mailing address.

Keep these fields consistent with the mailing street address above.

Applicant phone number

Enter the applicant phone number in the segmented phone fields.

Use a number where the passport agency or acceptance facility can reach you about the application.

Other names used

List other names you have used, such as former legal names or names used on prior records, when applicable.

Leave this area blank only when no other names apply under the current instructions.

Applicant name and date of birth header

Repeat the applicant name and date of birth at the top of the second application page.

Keep this consistent with the name and date of birth entered on page 5.

Parent 1 information

Enter Parent 1 first/middle name, last name, date of birth, place of birth, sex marker, and U.S. citizen answer as requested.

Use parent names and facts carefully; passport applications often compare these details to citizenship evidence and identity records.

Parent 2 information

Enter Parent 2 first/middle name, last name, date of birth, place of birth, sex marker, and U.S. citizen answer when applicable.

If a parent field does not apply, follow the official DS-11 instructions rather than inventing an entry.

Marriage and spouse information

Answer whether you have ever been married, then enter current or most recent spouse details only when they apply.

Use the current or most recent spouse fields only for the applicant spouse information requested by the form.

Additional phone, occupation, employer or school

Enter additional contact phone numbers, occupation, and employer or school information.

If retired, a student, self-employed, or not currently employed, follow the form and acceptance facility guidance for the wording to use.

Physical description

Enter height, hair color, and eye color in the physical description fields.

Use current, clear physical description details. Do not put travel dates or address details in this area.

Travel plans

Enter departure date, return date, and countries to be visited if you have travel plans.

If you do not have travel plans, follow the form instructions or write an appropriate non-applicable entry only if the official process allows it.

Permanent address

Enter permanent address fields if your permanent address is different from the mailing address.

The walkthrough notes the permanent address should not be a post office box. Use official DS-11 instructions for edge cases.

Emergency contact

Enter an emergency contact name, address, city, state, ZIP code, phone, and relationship.

Choose someone who can be contacted in an emergency and is not traveling with you when the form or instructions call for that.

Most recent passport book or card

If you have had a U.S. passport book or card, enter the name printed on it and mark whether it is being submitted, stolen, lost, or in your possession.

Use the book and card sections separately. Do not mark lost or stolen unless that is actually the status.

Lost or stolen circumstances

If a passport book or card was lost or stolen, use the circumstances box to explain what happened.

Complete this only when the lost or stolen status applies.

Do not sign until instructed

DS-11 is submitted in person. Do not sign the application before the acceptance agent asks you to sign.

Signing too early can cause problems because the signature must be witnessed by the acceptance agent.

Common question: can you sign DS-11 at home after filling it online? No. Wait until the acceptance agent instructs you to sign.

Bring photo, proof, ID, photocopies, and fees

DS-11 filling is only one part of the passport process. Prepare a compliant passport photo, proof of citizenship, photo ID, photocopies, and correct fees for the appointment.

Use Travel.State.Gov for photo, document, and fee rules because those requirements can change.

Common question: is filling the PDF enough to get a passport? No. DS-11 usually requires in-person submission with supporting documents and fees.

Acceptance agent area - do not pre-fill

This lower DS-11 area is used at the passport acceptance appointment for agent review, identifying documents, photo handling, witnessed signatures, and office processing.

As the applicant, do not fill this area before the appointment unless the acceptance agent or facility specifically instructs you to do so.

Common question: should I type the identifying document and agent boxes myself? Usually no. Complete your applicant sections first and wait for the authorized agent.