Passports 101: The No-Stress Guide for Adults, Kids and Renewals
If you have been wondering how to get a US passport without getting lost in the paperwork, you are in the right place. I have spent 35+ years in the travel industry, and I still send people straight to the official State Department website. You pay the government fees. You skip the middlemen. You get the trip.
I recently renewed my US passport online through the State Department, and the new book came back in 7 days with routine service and no expedite fee. That was my timing, not a promise. Processing changes, so always check the current times before you apply. Still, it reminded me the official path can be much easier than people think.
This middle chapter of life is when a lot of us finally stop saying “someday.” Whether you are packing for European Christmas markets, a Lofoten campervan road trip in Norway, or a first flight with your children, the passport is step one. Below: first-time adults, children’s passports, renewals, a short visa check, Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck, and a free checklist.
Official hub: travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply.html.
Jump to
How to get a US passport as a first-time adult
Who must apply in person
First-time adults 18 and older, and anyone who cannot renew, use Form DS-11 in person at a passport acceptance facility. Use DS-11 too if your most recent passport was lost, stolen, damaged, issued more than 15 years ago, or issued when you were under 16.
Official page: adult passport.
What to bring
Physical evidence of U.S. citizenship (no mobile birth certificate), a photo ID plus front-and-back photocopy, and one compliant passport photo. Some facilities offer photos; confirm when you book.
Book your acceptance facility
Use the free Passport Acceptance Facility Locator: passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov. Search by ZIP, city, or state. Post offices, libraries, and clerks of court all show up. Many need appointments.
Need it fast?
International travel within 14 calendar days, or a foreign visa needed within 28 days: make a free appointment at a passport agency through the Online Passport Appointment System. Appointments are free. Any fee to “book” one is fraudulent. Skip third-party booking sites. Bring proof of travel and plan for the $60 expedite fee.
Stuck close to travel? My tip
- Check passportstatus.state.gov first.
- Call NPIC: 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793).
- If you are still stuck, contact your U.S. Representative or Senator for a free congressional inquiry (house.gov, senate.gov).
This is my tip, not a step listed on the State Department passport pages. It can help, but it does not guarantee faster processing. Ask one congressman office only.
Fees and timing
Adult first-time (DS-11), per travel.state.gov fees (updated March 19, 2026): book $130 + $35 acceptance fee; card $30 + $35; both $160 + $35; expedite +$60. Optional 1 to 3-day return delivery: check the current fee on the fees page.
Routine processing: 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited: 2 to 3 weeks. Mailing can add up to 2 weeks each way (processing times, updated October 5, 2026).
Photo rules in brief: color, last 6 months, 2 x 2 inches, plain white or off-white background, neutral expression, no eyeglasses unless medically documented (photo help).
The passport card is only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is not valid for international air travel. Flying abroad? You need the book.
Children's passports: under 16 and ages 16 to 17
Getting passports for my daughters, Denali and McKayla, was one of those practical steps that made traveling together possible. Here is what I want you to know.
Under 16
Children under 16 must apply in person every time with Form DS-11. You cannot renew a child passport with DS-82. Valid for 5 years. Both parents or guardians must appear with the child. If one cannot attend, use notarized DS-3053 (within 90 days of notarization). If the other parent cannot be located, use DS-5525.
Fees: book $100 + $35; card $15 + $35; both $115 + $35. Book with the Acceptance Facility Locator. Details: under 16.
Ages 16 to 17
Still apply in person with DS-11 for a first adult-validity passport (10 years). Parental awareness is required. Fees match adult DS-11 ($130 + $35 for the book). Details: ages 16-17.
US passport renewal: online or by mail
Renew by mail (DS-82)
Eligible if your most recent passport was issued at age 16 or older, within the past 15 years, for a full 10-year period, is undamaged, not reported lost or stolen, and is in your current name (or you can document a name change). Fees (no acceptance fee): book $130; card $30; both $160. Expedite +$60. Official: renew by mail.
Renew online
Online renewal is live for eligible citizens who want routine service only. You must meet all current rules: a 10-year passport expiring within 1 year or expired less than 5 years, age 25 or older, no name or sex marker change, no international travel for at least 6 weeks (cannot be expedited), you are in a U.S. state or territory when you submit, and the passport is in hand and undamaged. Confirm on the live page before you apply.
After you submit, State cancels that passport. Do not plan to travel on it. Do not mail it in. Use only opr.travel.state.gov. Lookalike .com sites are not official.
When I renewed online, my new passport came back in 7 days with routine service and no expedite fee. That was my timing, not a promise. Processing changes, so apply early and check current times.
Lost, stolen, damaged, name change without docs, expired too long, issued under 16, or traveling sooner than 6 weeks? Apply in person via the adult DS-11 page.
ProTip: the 6-month rule
Some destinations and airlines expect your passport valid at least 6 months beyond your trip. Schengen short stays generally look for 3 months beyond planned departure from the Schengen area. Always check travel.state.gov and your airline.
Free download: The Expert Traveler Passport and Visa Checklist
Print it, check things off, and bring it to the acceptance facility or keep it with your travel folder. No email signup required.
Do I need a visa? A short tutorial
Your passport is your ID abroad. A visa is permission from another country (embassy sticker, eVisa, or visa on arrival). A travel authorization (ETA / ETIAS-style) is not a visa, but you still need it before boarding for some visa-exempt trips.
UK ETA: Required for most U.S. visitors. Apply only via GOV.UK. Cost £20. Valid 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. Enforcement for U.S. travelers began 25 February 2026.
EU ETIAS: Planned for visa-exempt short stays in 30 European countries. Official EU site still says it is not yet in operation. Do not pay third-party “ETIAS” sites. (EES started October 12, 2025 and is separate.)
Before you book: read your destination on travel.state.gov and confirm on the destination’s official site.
Once the passport and any visas are sorted, I like having travel medical coverage in place too. SafetyWing (affiliate link) is worth a look if plans change or something goes wrong on the road.
While you're at it: Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck
| TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Speeds up | Security on U.S. departures | CBP arrival to the U.S. plus PreCheck |
| Adult fee | About $85 or less / 5 years (varies by provider) | $120 / 5 years |
| Interview | Enrollment provider | CBP (or Enrollment on Arrival) |
| Minors | Check TSA family rules | Under 18: no fee with an adult |
Global Entry includes PreCheck. Put your TTP PASS ID in the Known Traveler Number field. Official apply links only: ttp.dhs.gov and tsa.gov/precheck.
I have both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. If you apply for Global Entry, PreCheck is included, which is one reason I like it. Global Entry is very helpful for fast-tracking through customs when you are returning to the United States from overseas. And do not sleep on the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. It is free, highly underutilized, gives you something useful to do while the plane is taxiing to the gate, and it is almost as fast as Global Entry.
FAQ
How long does it take to get a US passport right now?
Routine 4 to 6 weeks; expedited 2 to 3 weeks, not counting mailing. Check processing times. My online renewal returned in 7 days on routine service; that was my timing, not a guarantee.
How much is a US passport in 2026?
Adult book first-time: $130 + $35. Adult renewal: $130. Child under 16 book: $100 + $35. Confirm at fees.
Can I renew online?
Yes if you meet every rule. Start only at opr.travel.state.gov.
Do both parents have to be present for a child passport?
Yes for under 16 when both have custody. Otherwise use notarized DS-3053 (or DS-5525 in limited cases).
Ready when you are
You do not have to wait for retirement to hold a valid passport and a real itinerary. Start on travel.state.gov today and download the checklist.
We will never be as young as we are today. If a valid passport has been sitting on your someday list, this is your nudge. Start the paperwork and give yourself options. The middle chapter is a wonderful time to go.
I travel with my daughters, my husband, my friends, and occasionally all by myself. The passport is the quiet piece that makes those trips possible.
My passport holders
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I actually use two. The LnxLtw slim leather passport wallet doubles as a wallet and has a secure snap closure. The Spotminders trackable passport holder has a built-in tracker that works with Apple Find My (iPhone only), so if my passport ever goes missing, I can see where it is. That peace of mind is worth a lot.
One heads-up: as cute as passport holders are, when you present your passport to any customs or immigration officer, at home or abroad, you must take it out of the case first.
