Passports
How to Apply For A First Passport
All persons with a claim to U.S. citizenship must apply for a first passport in person. See office hours and location in Paris.
Important note: As of Feb. 1, 2008, the two-parent signature requirement for all passport services will be extended to all children under the age of 16. Please see the section on Passports for Minors.
Note: These instructions also apply for all persons, regardless of age, holding a 5 or 10-year validity passport that was issued over 15 years from the current calendar date.
All persons must have their own passports, including infants.
For All minors under age 16:
- Each minor child shall appear in person.
- All applications for children under 16 require both parents' or legal guardians' consent. (See Special Requirements for children under age 16)
For All Minors Ages 16 to 17:
- The applicant must appear in person.
- For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
- If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child and present identification and co-sign the application.
Follow the instructions provided below:
- All Applicants for First U.S. Passports Must Apply in Person and:
Provide Application Form DS-11 and follow specific instructions below: - Download Application Form DS-11
- Print out and submit only one-sided pages of the application form.
- Form DS-11 is also available in the Consular Section’s waiting room display.
- Please do NOT sign the DS-11 application form until the Consular Officer instructs you to do so.
Note that the online version of the application form includes instructions on the backside written for use in the U.S., which do not apply to your application in France. Please follow specific instructions below:
- Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship
You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following: - an original U.S. Birth Certificate; or
- a certified U.S. Birth Certificate (see note below); or
- a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad; or
- a U.S. Certification of Birth; or
- a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship; or
- a U.S. Naturalization Certificate
Note: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within one year of your birth. Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes. You may order a certified birth certificate online or write to one of the offices of the National Center for Health Statistics.
A delayed birth certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it:
- lists the documentation used to create it, and
- is signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, lists an affidavit signed by the parents, or shows early public records.
If you do not have a previous U.S. passport or any of the documents listed in item 2 above, you will need the following:
a. a Letter of No Record issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you;
and
b. as many of the following as possible
- French livret de famille
- Local hospital birth certificate
- Census record
- Early school record
- Doctor's record of post-natal car
- French livret de famille
- Local hospital birth certificate
- Census record
- Early school record
- Doctor's record of post-natal care
Note: These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life.
The following are not proof of U.S. Citizenship
- voter registration cards
- army discharge papers
- driver’s license
- social security card
If the applicant was born abroad AND does not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad the applicant must obtain this document before applying for a first U.S. passport.
For Minors under the age of 16:
The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under the age of 16 must list both parents' names.
Click here for additional information on documentation of U.S. citizens born abroad who acquire citizenship at birth
Click here for information on foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens
For more information see Important Notices: All Minors Must Appear in Person and Special Requirements for children under age 16 applying for Passports.
- Present Proof of Identity
The applicant may prove his/her identity with any one of these, if the applicant is recognizable: - a valid passport of any country; or
- a valid driver's license with photograph; or
- a national identity card with photograph; or
- a valid U.S. or State government ID card; or
- a U.S. military ID card; or
- If you do not have any personal identification it will be necessary for you to be accompanied by a family member (mother/father/brother/sister) with a valid passport, preferably U.S., who will be required to make a sworn statement identifying you. This family member must be over the age of 18;
Any foreign passport that you may currently hold, have held, or been included in;
Your foreign (non U.S.) naturalization certificate: if you have acquired another nationality through naturalization or registration since the issuance of your proof of citizenship;
Name change documentation: If you have changed your name since your proof of citizenship was issued, you will be required to furnish name change documentation, i.e. your marriage certificate. If you have changed your name by means other than marriage, please contact our office for further information.
Note: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.
If none of these are available, you will need:
A. Some signature documents (ex: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.);
And
B. A person who can vouch for you.
He/she must:
- have known you for at least 2 years,
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
- have valid ID, and
- fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport agent.
All documentation submitted as evidence of U.S. Citizenship will be returned with the issued passport.
- Provide Two Passport Photos – Click here for a list of photographers.
The photographs must be: - 2x2 inches in size (5cm x 5 cm)
- Identical
- Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
- Color
- Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
- Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (between 2.5 and 3.5 cm)
- Taken in normal street attire
- Uniforms should not be worn in photographs.
- Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline unless worn daily for religious purposes.
If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
Note: Vending machine photos are not acceptable
Provide a Social Security Number
(For infants, parents will complete the application form in order to obtain a social security number. If your child does not have a social security number, and/or never applied for one, please refer to the website of the Federal Benefits Unit in Paris)
If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS Office. If you have question concerning social security numbers, please click here.
- Pay the Applicable Fee of $85 for applicants under age 16, or $100 for all others.
Methods of Payment
See fees and payment methods. You will pay the applicable fee at the time of application for the passport.
All new passport(s) and, if applicable, cancelled old passport(s) will be returned by mail using the Chronopost envelope tracking system.
When submitting your application with your current U.S. passport, color photos, payment and, if applicable, other required documents, please include a self-addressed Chronopost envelope available at all French post offices (one Chronopost envelope may contain several passports – maximum 8).
The Chronopost envelope tracking system guarantees a faster and more secure service for the return of your passport(s).
Once we have received the complete passport application, it takes approximately two weeks for you to receive your new passport
When traveling, please remember to carry a photocopy of your passport in a separate place. In the event of loss or theft, the copy will facilitate issuance of an emergency passport.
For Passport Applications for Minors under 16, see Minors under 16.
For First Passport Applications, see First Passport.
For Lost or Stolen Passport Applications, see Lost, Stolen Passport.
If you live or are traveling in the south of France you may apply for this service at the U.S. Consulate General in Marseille. Please contact this office for further information.
Marseille (U.S. Consulate General)
Place Varian Fry
13086 Marseille
Tel: 04 91 54 92 00
Fax: 04 91 55 09 47
Email: citizeninfomarseille@state.gov
Security at the Embassy
For security reasons, do not bring luggage including large backpacks, laptop computers, or large cameras. Security guards will hold small tourist cameras and cell phones until your departure, but there is no storage available for luggage, large backpacks, laptop computers, or large cameras; please do not bring them to the Embassy.
U.S. Embassy
Consular Section
American Citizen Services
Passport Unit
4, avenue Gabriel
75382 Paris Cedex 08