Applying for a U.S. passport outside the United States is different than inside the United States.
- In most countries, you must apply in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate for all passport services.
- In a limited number of countries, you may be eligible to access some services by mail.
- Check the U.S. embassy or consulate webpage for more information.
Tips for Applying from Canada
- 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-82 to 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 must apply in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Canada.
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Steps to Apply
Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your form on a desktop or laptop computer and then print it. The data you enter determines what form you get. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF form.
Please note:
- Complete all parts of the form.
- If you are applying in person, do not sign the form until asked to do so by the embassy or consulate.
- If you are mailing your form, sign and date it before you mail it.
- Print your form on single-sided paper. We do not accept double-sided forms.
- If you travel many times each year, get a larger passport book with more visa pages, at no extra cost. Check the 'large book' box at the top of the form.
- The Form Filler does not let you enter an address for an emergency contact outside the United States. If your emergency contact lives outside the United States, please leave this field blank.
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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. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.
You must submit one of the following documents:
- U.S. birth certificate that 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 stamp from the city, county, or state which issued it
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Certificate of Naturalization
- 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 you cannot submit one of these documents, go to our Citizenship 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.
An image of the sample features of a U.S. birth certificate
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Bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it.
You must show at least one of 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 of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- 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 our Identification 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
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You may need to provide more information and documents if:
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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 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.
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 orders must draw 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.
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You can enroll in email updates about 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.
Last Updated: May 7, 2024
