4 minute read · Official sources checked 2 November 2026 · English guide
| Route | Typical use | Signature and submission |
|---|---|---|
| DS-11 | First application or a case that does not qualify for renewal. | Bring the packet in person; wait for the agent before signing. |
| DS-82 | Renewal that meets all mail-renewal requirements. | Sign and date the printed form, then mail the complete packet. |
| Official online renewal | Eligible applicants requesting routine service. | Complete and submit your own application through the government portal. |
Do I need DS-11 for my first passport?
First-time adult applicants use the in-person route. You also need to check that route if the previous passport was issued before age 16, is too old for renewal, or is lost, stolen or damaged. Children and applicants aged 16–17 have their own supporting-document and attendance requirements.
Bring the required citizenship evidence, identification, copies, photo and payments. Leave the application unsigned and the photo unattached until the acceptance agent instructs you. Preparing a PDF does not reserve an appointment.
Sources: Adult in-person application instructions · Children under 16 · Applicants aged 16–17
What makes a passport eligible for DS-82?
For an ordinary full-validity renewal, you must be able to send the most recent passport. It must have been issued at age 16 or older within the last 15 years, have had ten-year validity, never have been reported lost or stolen, and have no damage beyond normal wear. Your name must match, or you must provide the required evidence of a name change.
The government lists separate rules for limited-validity passports. This summary is not an eligibility decision. Check all current conditions and use the official route if your situation is outside Wayform’s supported editor.
Does an expired passport mean I need DS-11?
Expiry alone does not answer the question. Compare the issue date and age at issue, then check the other renewal conditions. For example, an undamaged ten-year passport issued to an adult 11 years ago may meet those date conditions even though it has expired. It must still meet every other requirement.
Write down the issue date from the passport itself. Do not substitute the expiry date or guess from the year you last travelled.
Sources: Renewal eligibility and exceptions
Can I renew online instead?
The official online service is a separate option for eligible routine renewals. Check its complete list of conditions, including age, location, passport dates, unchanged personal details and travel plans. Choosing to type answers online does not itself make a paper application an online renewal.
Use the government portal for online submission. Wayform prepares supported paper applications; it cannot sign or submit an online renewal for you.
Sources: Official U.S. online renewal
What should I check before printing?
Match the printed form to the route you chose, inspect both application pages and compare the answers with your records. U.S. passport forms use letter-size, portrait, single-sided printing. Check that no text or page edge is cut off.
DS-11 and DS-82 have different signing and photo-attachment steps. Follow the packet you are actually submitting. Government fees, supporting documents and submission remain separate from Wayform’s preparation fee.
Wayform is an independent preparation service, not a government agency. These preparation guides do not guarantee acceptance or replace the current official instructions.