Processing Steps

Follow these important steps to expedite your application for a US Passport. Present the list of items below to an acceptance agent (AA). AAs are agents of the government authorized to process passport applications. They are located in many local court houses and post offices. They must witness the signing of your DSP-11 Application for Passport. The Acceptance Agents must also sign the back of your passport photograph(s). Consult our Acceptance Agent Guide to find the nearest Acceptance Agent (AA). 

1.) Obtain Application Form:
   First time Application:DSP-11
   Application Renewal:DSP-82
   Amendment/Validation Application:DSP-19

The federal government does not allow faxed forms or photocopied forms. Printed copied from your computer are acceptable. You may obtain a form from a local acceptance agent or download it from here. Do not sign the application form until instructed to do so when you are in front of an Acceptance Agent.

2.) Proof of Citizenship:
Birth Certificate - A certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the state, city or country of your birth (a certified copy will have a registrant's raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal and date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office). If you are uncertain where to obtain an official copy of your birth certificate, locate the state agency office that will issue you one.

If don't have a birth certificate or if you were born abroad, you can use: 

• A Certificate of Naturalization or an old passport. 
• A Certificate of Citizenship. 
• A Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS-240). 
• A Certification of Birth (Form FS-545 or DS-1350). 

4.) Two Passport Photographs: 
These photos must be recent (taken within last 6 months), identical, 2x2 inches, and either in color or black and white. They must show a front view, full face, on a plain light/white background (vending machine photos NOT acceptable). Photographs must be taken in normal street attire, showing you without head covering unless a signed statement is submitted indicating that the head covering is worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Dark glasses may not be worn in passport photographs, unless a doctor's statement is submitted supporting "the wearing of dark glasses is for medical reasons". Mail Boxes, etc. and Kinkos copies as well as other photograph studios provide this service. It is also critical that the acceptance agent (AA) sign the back of your passport photos. 

5.) Proof of Identity:
A valid Drivers License, a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, Government or Military ID, or Corporate ID. (The more the better if you dont have a drivers license).

If you are unable to present one of the above, you must be accompanied by a person who has known you for at least 2 years and who is a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. That person must sign an affidavit in the presence of the same person who executes the passport application. The witness will be required to establish his or her own identity. You must also submit identification of you own. 

6.) Copy of Itinerary:
This may be in the form of plane tickets or a travel agency printed itinerary. 
Call Overnight Passport for details. 

7.) Fees:

1. Print out and complete our order form. 
2. A check to Government. First Time Passports, $95; Renewals, $50: Make Check or Money order payable to U.S. Passport Services. Print Name and birthdate on check. If you go to a Court House they charge a $15 fee, your check to U.S. Passport Service in this case will be $80 or $35
3. A check to Overnight Passport. For Rush Service, $165; Express Service, $115; Regular Service, $65; Make Check or Money order for $100 payable to Overnight Passport. (this fee includes shipping and handling)

8.) Bring to an Acceptance Agent: 
Bring all above materials to your local acceptance agent and then notify the clerk or postmaster that you are using an expediting service. 
 

• You must apply in person if you are 13 or older.  For children under 13 only a parent or legal guardian needs to fill out an application. 
• Go to courthouse or post office authorized to accept passport applications with completed application form. Do not sign the FORM until instructed to do so. 
• If the Acceptance Agent is unaware of courier services please refer them to the Hand Carry Policy outlined by Agent Guidance distributed by the Department of State or have them call their regional supervisor in reference to the aforementioned policy. If a problem still persists call Overnight Passport at (877) 906-0534. 
• Important: Ask clerk of court or postmaster to endorse documents and to seal the documents in an envelope marked "To be opened by U.S. Passport Office Personnel Only." The form, birth certificate, passport photos, Letter of Authorization goes inside and/or is attached to the Sealed Government Envelope.
• Do not put the check to Overnight Passport or Overnight Passport Order Form to the AA or inside the Government Envelope.
• On outside of sealed envelope, please write applicants name, departure date, and date of birth. 
• Do not leave documents with the AA - Federal Express them. 

9.) Mail Forms: 
Place sealed envelope in a DHL or UPS envelope, and call Overnight Passport. Write down the tracking number and mark the Air Bill - Hold for Pickup and Priority. Inside the DHL or UPS should be the sealed envelope along with a check to Overnight Passport and the Overnight Passport order form. 

FedEx & UPS Empire:

Overnight Passport Courier, FedEx
Attn: Jerry Eisom
575 Boyleston Street
Boston, MA 02116

NOTE: Overnight Passport notifies its couriers of incoming packages the night before. Your shipping calls for next day pick-up must be placed no later than 7:30 pm EST Monday through Thursday and by 4:30 pm EST on Fridays. On the day you plan to send your application materials using DHL or UPS, please coordinate your call for shipping information prior to the cut-off time.