Applying for a Passport

The U.S. Department of State has an fillable DS-11 form (PDF) you can print to create your passport application.

If you don’t want to print the online form, you can obtain an application from the Travis County District Clerk when you come in to apply for the passport. NOTE: Do not sign your passport application until you are instructed to do so when submitting it. You will be signing the application under oath, and the district clerk will be giving you that oath.

If you are applying for your first passport and you were born in the United States, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. Certified copies of birth certificates for persons born in Texas can be obtained at Austin’s Office of Vital records located at 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756 (Open Monday-Friday 8 am – 5 pm) or online/by mail through the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics. When requesting a birth certificate, please ask for the long form version. See example:

• Long form example (PDF)
• Short form example (PDF)

If you were born in another state, you will need to contact the government of that State on how to obtain a certified birth certificate.

Persons born outside the United States need to obtain one of the following:

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship

If you are unable to obtain a birth certificate, there are other options available on how to provide proof of citizenship on the U.S. Department of State’s website.

ONE of the following documents must be presented when you come in to apply:

• Current and valid:
  • Driver’s license
  • Government ID: city, state or federal, OR
  • Military ID: military and dependents
• Previous U.S. passport
• Naturalization Certificate

If you are unable to provide any of these documents, other proof of identity options are listed at the Department of State’s website.

You can now save time by having your passport photo taken at the district clerk’s office when you present your application. The fee for a passport photo is $14.00. Payment for the photo is accepted in cash or by credit card. If you choose to have your passport photo taken elsewhere, a single color photo is required.

Passport photo requirements:

• The photo must be 2x2 inches in size and be no more than 6 months old.
• Your full face should be visible (no headgear) and be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches long from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
• Wear normal street clothing (no uniform unless it is daily religious attire) and any glasses, hearing devices, wigs, or similar articles that you typically wear.
• Dark glasses are not allowed unless you have a medical certificate.
• The background should be white or off-white.

If you are using a digital photo, make sure the print is photo-quality and very clear. The photo paper should be thin enough to be pressed onto the passport and should not contain any special finishes or embossing.

Passport applications require two separate payments:

1. Payment to U. S. Department of State

• Traditional passport (booklet): $130 for adults, $100 for minors (15 years of age and younger)
• Limited-use passport (card): $30 for adults, $15 for minors
• Both traditional and limited-use passport card: $160 adults, $115 for minors
• Payment must be in the form of personal check or money order and is submitted with the application.

2. Payment to Travis County District Clerk

The following fees apply to both the traditional passport (booklet) and the new limited-use passport (card):

• Application with photo supplied by applicant: $35 OR
• Application with photo supplied by district clerk: $49

Payment must be in the form of cash, check, money order or credit card (convenience fee applies on credit card transactions).

We are now accepting Passport Customers by appointment only (no walk-ins)

Please review the required documents before scheduling an appointment. Check or Money Order Required for each application

Schedule Your Passport Appointment

At this passport acceptance facility, you will be asked to:

• Verify your identity.
• Sign the application form DSP-11 under oath.
• Sign and seal the application as the execution officer.
• Provide payment for the application and execution fees.
• Provide payment for the application and execution fees.

If one parent or guardian is not available, Form DS-3053 will need to be filled out by the non-applying parent, in BLACK INK and notarized along with the front and back copy of the non-applying parent’s Government Issued ID that will be submitted with the application.