State Department Pilots Online DS-11 Passport Submissions: Some First-Time Applicants Can Apply Online Starting November 16
The U.S. Department of State announced a pilot program that, starting November 16, 2026, will let certain applicants submit Form DS-11 passport applications online through America.gov. The pilot is scheduled to run through November 20, 2027, unless extended. Until now, only DS-82 renewal applications could be submitted online; Form DS-11 — used by first-time applicants and many renewal applicants — has long had to be executed in person at an acceptance facility.
The first groups eligible for the pilot are adults 18 and older located in the United States who either were previously issued a fully valid U.S. passport but are not eligible to renew on Form DS-82, or are first-time adult applicants using a USCIS Certificate of Naturalization as evidence of citizenship. Applicants need an identity document accepted by Login.gov, such as a valid U.S. passport book or card or a state, District of Columbia or territorial driver's license or non-driver ID; mobile driver's licenses are not accepted.
The online process involves answering eligibility questions on America.gov, completing identity verification through Login.gov — including a liveness check and providing a Social Security number and address — then returning to America.gov to confirm biographic information, submit a passport photo, choose the product and delivery options, and record themselves reciting the oath of allegiance, which a passport agent will review. The department noted that the $35 execution fee still applies even though the oath is not executed in person.
The State Department said the pilot is expected to expand later to applicants using birth certificates from participating states, Certificates of Citizenship, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and eligible applicants living overseas. In fiscal year 2025, DS-11 volume reached 13,913,231 applications, with an average completion time of about 85 minutes. The pilot notice was published in the Federal Register, and public comments may be submitted through Regulations.gov under Docket No. DOS-2026-1222. (Source: U.S. Department of State)
Source: U.S. Department of State
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，美国护照（Robert Rexach 摄），公共领域 | Image: Wikimedia Commons, a United States passport (photo by Robert Rexach), public domain
