Can We Get Passports? | What It Takes In 2026

Yes, U.S. citizens can get a passport if they file the right form, prove citizenship and identity, and allow time for processing.

“Can we get passports?” sounds like a plain question. The real answer depends on who “we” is, when you need the passport, and whether you’re applying for the first time, renewing, or getting one for a child.

If you’re in the United States, the answer is yes for most people who meet the paperwork rules. You need the proper form, proof of citizenship, proof of identity, a passport photo, and the right fees. Then you submit the application the right way. Adults getting a first passport usually apply in person. Many adults with an older passport can renew. Children follow a different set of rules.

That’s where many people get tripped up. They assume a passport is one simple form and one simple wait. It isn’t. A rushed trip, a missing document, a bad photo, or using the wrong form can slow the whole thing down.

This article walks through what getting a U.S. passport looks like right now, who can apply, what documents you need, how long it can take, and what changes when the passport is for a child or for urgent travel. By the end, you should know which path fits your case and what to gather before you head to the post office, library, clerk’s office, or online renewal page.

Who Can Apply For A U.S. Passport

Most U.S. citizens can apply for a passport. That includes first-time adult applicants, adults whose old passport no longer qualifies for renewal, minors under 16, and teens ages 16 and 17.

Lawful permanent residents do not qualify for a U.S. passport. A passport is a U.S. citizenship document. So the first question is not age or travel date. It’s citizenship.

For many people, proof of citizenship is a certified U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. That document is the backbone of the application. If you can’t locate it, get that sorted out before doing anything else.

Your second hurdle is identity. The State Department wants a current photo ID, and you usually submit a photocopy with the application too. A driver’s license is the common choice. If your ID is from another state or you don’t have a standard government ID, you may need extra identification.

That leads to a plain rule of thumb: if you can prove you’re a U.S. citizen and prove you are the person on the application, you can usually get a passport. The rest comes down to the right form and timing.

Adults Getting A Passport For The First Time

First-time adult applicants use Form DS-11 and apply in person. That applies to people age 18 and up who have never had a U.S. passport before.

It also applies to some people who had a passport long ago. If your last passport was issued when you were under 16, was issued more than 15 years ago, was lost, stolen, badly damaged, or was in a different name without legal proof of the change, you may be back in the DS-11 line.

Adults Renewing An Older Passport

Some adults can renew instead of applying as if they are brand new. Renewal is usually smoother because you already have a passport record. In many cases, you can renew by mail or online, depending on current eligibility rules.

Renewal works best when your previous passport was issued in your current name, was issued after age 16, and is still in usable shape. If one of those pieces is off, the State Department may send you back to an in-person application.

Children And Teens

Kids under 16 need both parents or guardians involved in most cases. That catches many families off guard. A child passport is not a quick add-on to a parent’s application.

Teens ages 16 and 17 still apply in person, though the rules are a bit lighter than they are for younger children. A parent’s awareness and ID often still come into play.

Can We Get Passports? What Changes The Answer

The answer changes when one detail shifts. The common trouble spots are citizenship proof, name changes, child applications, and timing.

A missing birth certificate can stall the process. A recent marriage with a different name on the ID can call for extra paperwork. A parent who cannot appear for a child’s appointment can create another layer of forms. And a trip that’s coming up too soon can turn a calm application into a scramble for an urgent appointment.

This is why the same question can have different answers inside the same family. One adult may be able to renew with little hassle. Another may need to apply in person. A child may need both parents present. A traveler leaving next week may need an agency appointment instead of a routine filing at an acceptance facility.

What You Need Before You Apply

The exact stack of documents depends on your case, though the bones of the process stay the same.

Proof Of Citizenship

This is your core document. It can be a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county, or state; a Consular Report of Birth Abroad; a naturalization certificate; or a citizenship certificate.

A hospital birth record is not the same thing as a certified birth certificate. Plenty of people learn that the hard way at the counter.

Proof Of Identity

You need a current government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license is the common pick. You usually also need to provide a photocopy of the front and back.

Passport Photo

The photo needs to meet size and background rules. Photos are rejected more often than people think. Bad lighting, shadows, glasses, odd cropping, and home prints on poor paper can all cause a snag.

Application Form

DS-11 is used for first-time applicants and many people who do not qualify to renew. Renewal uses a different form or online path when eligible.

Fees

Passport fees vary by book or card, adult or child, and whether you pay for faster service or quicker return shipping. Bring the payment method accepted by the facility where you apply. Some places split the payment between the State Department and the acceptance facility.

Travel Timing

Before you file, check the State Department’s current processing times. That page matters more than any old blog post because wait times shift through the year.

If your trip is close, timing can change where you apply and whether routine service still makes sense.

Situation	Main Form Or Path	What Usually Decides It
First passport for an adult	DS-11 in person	No prior U.S. passport record you can renew from
Adult renewal	Renewal by mail or online when eligible	Prior passport was issued after age 16 and still fits renewal rules
Passport lost or stolen	Usually DS-11 in person	Old passport can’t be used for a normal renewal path
Passport badly damaged	Usually DS-11 in person	Damage can void simple renewal eligibility
Child under 16	DS-11 in person	Parent consent rules and shorter passport validity
Teen age 16 or 17	DS-11 in person	Parental awareness still matters
Name changed since last passport	Renewal or in-person path	Legal name-change proof and prior passport details
Travel soon	Expedited service or urgent appointment	Departure date may rule out routine filing

How The Application Process Usually Goes

Once your documents are in order, the process becomes much less stressful. Most people do fine when they follow the order and do not rush the prep.

Step 1: Pick The Right Path

Start by figuring out whether you are applying for the first time, renewing, or filing for a child. This sounds obvious. It still trips up a lot of applicants.

Step 2: Fill Out The Correct Form

Complete the form neatly and match your legal name and birth details to your citizenship and identity documents. Tiny differences can slow things down.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

Lay out your citizenship evidence, ID, photocopies, photo, and payment before you book an appointment or mail anything. That one check can save a wasted trip.

Step 4: Submit The Application

First-time applicants and child applicants usually submit in person at a passport acceptance facility. Adults who qualify to renew can follow the State Department renewal route. The official adult passport application rules spell out who must apply in person.

Step 5: Wait And Track

After submission, the wait starts. Routine and expedited service times can differ a lot. Mailing time sits on top of that, so do not count only the processing estimate.

If the agency needs more information, answer fast. A missing signature, unclear citizenship record, or photo problem can pause the file until you reply.

How Long It Takes To Get A Passport

This is the part most readers care about. The State Department’s posted timelines shift, and mailing adds extra days on both ends. Your application has to reach the agency, then the finished passport has to get back to you.

If you are traveling in more than six weeks, routine service may still work. If travel is closer, many applicants pay for expedited service. If travel is within about two weeks, you may need an urgent appointment at a passport agency or center.

That does not mean you should wait until the last minute. Agency appointments are limited. A late scramble can turn a small task into a full week of stress.

Travel Timing	Usual Best Move	What To Watch
More than 6 weeks away	Routine service may fit	Mailing time still adds days
Less than 6 weeks away	Expedited service is often safer	Paying more does not erase mailing delays
Within 14 days of travel	Urgent agency appointment may be needed	Appointments are not endless
Need a visa soon too	Agency timing matters even more	Visa needs can change the window

Special Rules For Children

Parents often assume the child part will be simple once they have their own paperwork ready. It rarely works that way.

For children under 16, both parents or guardians usually need to appear with the child when applying. If one parent cannot attend, extra consent paperwork is often required. That rule is there to help prevent child abduction and custody abuse.

Child passports also do not last as long as adult passports. So even if your child had one before, you do not renew it the same way an eligible adult renews. You apply again in person.

Teens ages 16 and 17 still use the in-person path, though they may have a bit more room than younger children. Even so, a parent’s awareness of the application is usually part of the file.

Common Reasons Passport Applications Slow Down

The slowdowns are rarely dramatic. They are usually small, annoying mistakes.

Bad Photos

Photo issues are common. Shadows, wrong size, smiling too much, worn glasses in older-style photos, or busy backgrounds can all lead to a rejection request.

Wrong Form

Someone who should renew files as a first-time applicant, or the other way around. That can force a reset.

Missing Proof

A birth record from a hospital gift shop folder is not enough. An expired school ID is not the same as a government photo ID. One weak document can stall the whole file.

Name Mismatches

If your ID, birth certificate, and application do not line up, you may need marriage records, court orders, or other legal proof.

Late Trip Planning

The later you start, the fewer options you have. Routine service stops making sense, expedited fees pile up, and urgent appointments may become your only shot.

Passport Book Vs Passport Card

Many travelers only need the standard passport book, which works for international air travel. The passport card is cheaper, though it has narrower use. It works for land and sea entry from certain places, not for international flights.

If you plan to fly abroad, get the book. If you often cross nearby borders by land or sea, the card can be a handy extra. Some people order both at once so they have a full-travel document and a wallet-size backup.

What To Do If You Need A Passport Fast

If your trip is getting close, do not rely on old timing stories from relatives or forum posts. Check the official processing page, then act based on your departure date.

Expedited service can trim the wait for many travelers. When travel is very close, an urgent appointment at a passport agency or center may be the path that still gives you a shot. That route usually requires proof of travel within a narrow window.

Even then, bring every document in proper order. An urgent appointment does not fix bad paperwork.

So, Can We Get Passports?

Yes, in most cases you can. U.S. citizens can get passports when they use the right form, prove citizenship and identity, meet the child-consent rules when those apply, and leave enough time for the application to be processed and mailed.

The smoothest way to handle it is simple: figure out which application path fits you, gather your records before you start, and match your timing to your travel date. That keeps the process from turning into a mess.

If your trip is months away, you have room to breathe. If it is close, move now and use the official timelines, not guesswork. A passport is not hard to get when your paperwork is clean and your timing is honest.