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. For children under the age of 16, both parents and the child(ren) must be present. If only one parent is available, the DS-3053 form must be completed in black ink, notarized, and accompanied by a valid government-issued ID from the non-applying parent, including both the front and back.

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.

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.

For specific passport photo requirements, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

Photo Tips

• Submit one color photo
• Submit a recent photo taken in the last 6 months
• Use a clear image of your face 
• Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence 
• Have someone else take your photo. No selfies.
• Take off your eyeglasses for your photo
• Use a white or off-white background without shadows, texture, or lines

Attire, Hats, and Glasses

• Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with the application.
• You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing. 
• Take off your hat or head covering.

• If you wear one for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that says it is religious attire worn daily in public.
• If you wear one for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement that says you wear it for medical purposes.
• Your full face must be visible, and your hat or head covering cannot cast shadows or cover part of your face.

• You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.
• You can wear jewelry and keep on your facial piercings if they do not hide your face. 
• Take off any face covering or medical mask, so your full face is visible and the face covering or mask does not block portions of your face.

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 accept passport customers several different ways. We post most of our appointments every Monday morning between 8:00 am – 8:20 am (for the following week). Also, Monday – Friday between 8:00 am – 8:15 am we will post same-day appointments providing we have enough staff available at each of our (2) locations.

Walk-ins are available at our 5325 Airport location only from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. We may also have Saturday appointments available, so please check the appointment calendar for available dates (subject to change by management).

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 DS-11 under oath.
• Sign and seal the application as the execution officer.
• Provide payment for the application and execution fees.