What documents are required to apply for a U.S. passport card and how long does it take?

1. What documents are required — the non-negotiable checklist

The Department of State and USA.gov list four essential items for a new adult passport application: the correct application form (DS-11 for first-time applicants), evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a certified birth certificate or previous U.S. passport, proof of identity (driver’s license or other government ID), and one passport photo that meets State Department specifications ^{[1] [2] [7]}. Sources reiterate that the passport card and passport book share the same application requirements, so the document set is identical whether applying for a card, book, or both ^[3].

2. Forms, identity proof and citizenship evidence — fine print that matters

Form DS-11 must be completed (many applicants fill it online and print it) but not signed until appearing in person at the acceptance facility; the form also warns that all statements and documents are subject to verification and that failing to provide required information — including a Social Security number where requested — can delay or deny processing ^{[2] [1]}. Acceptable citizenship evidence commonly includes an original or certified birth certificate, a previously issued U.S. passport, or other documents explicitly accepted by the State Department; acceptance facilities will return original documents after processing ^{[7] [8]}.

3. Fees, photos and execution/acceptance requirements

Applicants pay two basic fees for first-time adult applications: the government application fee and a separate execution (acceptance) fee paid to the facility handling the submission; passport photos and any optional expedited or mailing upgrades are additional costs ^{[9] [10]}. Many acceptance locations (post offices, clerk’s offices, libraries) require appointments and have specific payment methods for the acceptance fee, so applicants should confirm local instructions before arrival ^{[1] [7]}.

4. Where to apply — in person vs. by mail, and renewal exceptions

New adult applicants must apply in person at an acceptance facility or regional passport agency; renewals for eligible adults may be done by mail using Form DS-82, and a limited online renewal system has been piloted but is not universally available ^{[1] [11] [12]}. If an applicant already has a valid passport book and seeks only a passport card, or vice versa, renewal pathways differ and the State Department’s renewal pages spell out those permutations ^{[8] [11]}.

5. How long it takes — routine, expedited, and emergency timelines

Processing time begins when the Department of State receives the application at an agency or center, and agencies caution that mailing can add up to two weeks each way; official guidance often cites routine times of several weeks (commonly 4–6 weeks in many clerks’ and university passport offices) while expedited processing typically trims that to roughly 2–3 weeks, and true emergency or life‑or‑death cases are handled at regional agencies with stricter proof and appointment rules ^{[5] [6] [4]}. USA.gov also warns that processing can take up to three months in some cycles and recommends applying months before travel plans ^[13].

6. Practical pitfalls, alternative routes, and what reporting glosses over

Public guidance is consistent on paper and timing, but local acceptance practices—appointment availability, accepted payment types for execution fees, and photo services—vary and can be the real bottleneck; private expediting services exist and can represent an agenda of speed-for-fee, but the State Department itself provides expedited and emergency channels if eligibility and proof of imminent travel are met ^{[9] [6] [10]}. Reporting often focuses on broad national processing averages, while the user experience is shaped by local office procedures and seasonal surges; official pages remain the authoritative source for exact fee amounts, acceptable documents, and current processing estimates ^{[1] [12]}.