Requirements for Children Under Age 16:
* Both parents must appears at the Passport Acceptance Facility to sign the application for the minor.
* One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's notarized Form DS-3053 , Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 , authorizing passport issuance for the child or submits a notarized , written statement of consent from the non-appearing parent (including the child's name and date of birth, as well as parent's identification information or a copy of his/her ID) authorizing passport issuance for the child.
*One parents appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (one of the following):

--Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate (with translation, if necessary) listing only applying parent, or
--Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only applying parent, or
-- Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order), or
-- Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent), or
-- Court order specifically permitting applying parent's, or
-- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent, or
-- Death certificate of non-applying parent.

Step 1 Gather and Prepare U.S. Passport Application Documents

Completed DS-11 form (application for new U.S. passport)

Please click on the link at the bottom of this section to complete, and create your passport application (DS-11) online. After you fill out the form online, you will see at the bottom of the page a button that says "Create Form", please click the "Create Form" button, and your application form (DS-11) will appear completed on your screen.

1. Please print one copy of the completed application form (DS-11).
2. Do not print the form on double sided pages.
3. Do not sign this application form until you are instructed to during Authorization.
4. After filling out and printing the form close the window to return to your passport instructions.

Click here to complete and create your application form (DS-11) online.

• A certified U.S. birth certificate
• An expired U.S. passport
• Original naturalization certificate

Need help to get a birth certificate, please click here

Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance. Must be official passport-type only and approximately 2" x 2" with a clear background. The photo must be in color. Do not wear a hat or any item that covers the face.Face forward only, no side shots or profiles will be accepted. Homemade Digital Photographs are not acceptable.

Note: You may take your passport photos at Kinko's, Walgreens or CVS.

• State issued driver's license (at least 6 months old) bearing a photo
• Military I. D. bearing a photo

If you do not have a current driver's license issued more than 6 months ago please click here to see the supplemental ID requirements.

You may provide one of the following items:

• A copy of your air plane ticket or
• A copy of your itinerary from the travel agent or airline

Download and complete two copies of Authorization Letter. This letter will authorize Visa Express to submit and obtain the new passport on your behalf.

Click here to completely fill-out , print out, and sign Visa Express Order form.

If you cannot view the page, please click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

1. U.S. Government Fees (two separate checks or money orders):

Make one check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State" for $120 (this is the government processing fee).

a. Write applicant's full name and date of birth on the check or money order.
b. All personal checks must show a printed address.
c. Do not cross out and rewrite any information on the check.
d. Temporary or starter check is not acceptable.

Make the second check or money order in the amount of $25 payable to the Post Office or Court House which you visit.

2. Visa Express Service Fee & Return Shipping Fee:

Our Regular Passport Service fee is $59. It can be paid with credit card, company check or money order made out to "Visa Express".

Our return shipping fee is $21 for Fedex Overnight service.

You may combine our service fee and return shipping fee (total $80) in one check or money order.

Step 2 Get Your Application Authorized

All first time or new applicants need to have their applications authorized by local government officials called Acceptance Agents (AA). Bring all of the documents listed above to a Passport Acceptance Facility and notify the agent you are using an expediting service to "hand carry" your application. As stated, please present all above listed items to the Acceptance Agent for approval. You will then sign the passport application form in the presence of the Acceptance Agent who will witness your signature and select the following items from the above list to place in an envelope.

• Application form (DS-11)
• Two passport photos
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of departure (optional)
• Letter of authorization (one copy)
• The $120 check to "U.S. Dept. of State"

Do not open this sealed envelope or the application will be invalid. Important: Make sure the agent returns the sealed envelope to you. If the agent does not feel at ease about releasing the envelope, suggest that he/she refer to page 31 or 44 of their Passport Agent's Manual, "Hand-carrying of Executed Applications".

Step 3 Ship Documents to Visa Express

Ship the following via Fedex or UPS only

Please ship your package via Fedex Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day service only. Do not use U.S. Postal Service Express Mail.

• The government sealed envelope from the Acceptance Agent
• Payment to Visa Express
• Visa Express Order Form
• One copy of Letter of authorization

Ship to:

Visa Express
Attn: Passport Department
3120 Southwest Freeway
Suite 108
Houston, Texas 77098