Apply for a Passport Outside the United States (2024)

• If you are eligible to renew your passport and need routine or expedited service, skip the trip to a U.S. embassy or consulate.Mail your Form DS-82to the United States.
• If you are paying your fees on pay.gov, mail your application to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa or a U.S. consulate. Do not mail your application to the United States if you paid fees on pay.gov.
• Use Canada Post as your delivery service when sending Form DS-82 to the United States.
• We will return your completed passport by USPS First Class Mail. We cannot return it via 1-2 day or express delivery.
• All first-time applicants and children under 16 mustapply in personat a U.S. embassy or consulate in Canada.

When renewing using Form DS-82

Submit the passport(s) you are renewing as your evidence of U.S. citizenship. We will return your old passport.

When applying using Form DS-11

Include both an original version or certified copy of your citizenship evidence, and a photocopy of it. Acertified copyis any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

You must submitoneof the following documents:

• U.S.birth certificatethat meets the following requirements:
  • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
  • Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
  • Lists your parent(s)' full names
  • Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
  • Has the registrar's signature
  • Has the seal or stampfrom the city, county, or state which issued it
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Certificate ofNaturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Full validity, undamaged U.S. passport
  • Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.

If youcannot submit one of these documents, go to ourCitizenship Evidence page.

Tips for making a photocopy:

• Black and white (no color)
• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
• Use a single side of the paper

If you do not submit a photocopy, you must submit a second, certified copy of your citizenship evidence. We will keep this copy for our records.

Bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it.

You must show at leastoneof these photo IDs:

• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
• In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
• Certificate ofNaturalization
• Certificate ofCitizenship
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID
• Current (valid) foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
• Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
• Note: you may need to show another ID when presenting one of these three documents:
  • In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo
  • In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo
  • Temporary driver's license with photo

If you do not have one of these photo IDs, go to ourIdentification page.

Tips for making a photocopy:

• Black and white (no color)
• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
• Use a single side of the paper
• Copy the front and back of the ID

To avoid processing delays, be sure your photo meets all thephotorequirements.

You must pay fees for passport services.Your U.S. embassy or consulate website has more information on how much your passport will cost and how to pay.

Tips for renewing from Canada

If you are paying your fees on pay.gov, mail your application to theU.S. Embassy in Ottawa or a U.S. consulate. Do not mail your application to the United States if you paid fees on pay.gov.

When renewing your passport by mail, you may request expedited service for an extra $60. We cannot return your completed passport to Canada using 1-2 day or express delivery. Do not include money for 1-2 day or express delivery with your application.

Paying with a check or money order

• Personal checks or money ordersmustdraw on U.S. financial institutions in the United States. They must be payable in U.S. dollars.
• We cannot accept payments that draw on non-U.S. financial institutions, even when payable in U.S. currency.
• U.S. checks and money orders must have a 9-digit routing number for the financial institution.

Outside the United States?

Contact yourU.S. embassy or consulate for instructions.

Renewing by Mail from Canada?

If you are paying by check or money order, send your FormDS-82application via Canada Post. Send it to one of the addresses in the United States listed on the form.

If you are paying your fees on pay.gov, mail your application to theU.S. Embassy in Ottawa or a U.S. consulate.

You canenroll in email updatesabout your application status.

Your local U.S. embassy or consulate will tell you about options to pick up or deliver your passport. Embassies and consulates can issue an emergency passport if you have urgent travel. Please check with the embassy or consulate to confirm delivery methods.