Where to get a passport and what the DMV actually handles

The DMV does not issue passports. The U.S. State Department issues all U.S. passports through a network of acceptance facilities and passport agencies. Some DMV offices do act as passport acceptance facilities, meaning they can take your process and documents, but they cannot approve your passport or print it — that work happens at a State Department facility.

Whether your local DMV accepts passport applications depends on your state and county. Some states have dozens of DMV locations that accept them; others have none. The fastest way to find out is to call your DMV directly or visit your state's DMV website and search for "passport acceptance" or "passport services."

If your DMV does not accept passport applications, you can explore at a post office, courthouse, or public library that serves as a passport acceptance facility. You can also explore directly at a passport agency if you need your passport urgently.

Key Takeaways

  • The State Department issues passports, not the DMV, though some DMV offices accept applications on the State Department's behalf.
  • You must explore in person for a first-time passport or if your passport was lost or stolen; you cannot renew by mail if it was issued when you were under 16.
  • Bring your birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship, and a completed DS-11 or DS-82 form, depending on whether you are explore or renewing.
  • Processing times range from several weeks for routine service to same-day or next-day service at passport agencies if you pay for expedited handling and can prove travel within 72 hours.
  • Passport acceptance facilities (including some DMVs) do not set their own hours or fees — those are controlled by the State Department.

Documents you need to bring for a first-time passport

For a first-time passport process, bring the following to your DMV or other acceptance facility: an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), proof of citizenship (your birth certificate counts, or a naturalization certificate if you were not born in the U.S.), and a completed Form DS-11. You also need one passport photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months.

The acceptance facility will not take your photo for you. You must bring a photo already printed. Many pharmacies, portrait studios, and some post offices offer passport photos for a small fee. Do not use a selfie or a photo from social media — it must meet State Department standards (white or off-white background, full face visible, eyes open and looking at the camera, no filters or heavy editing).

Bring the original documents, not copies. The acceptance facility will examine them and return them to you; they do not keep originals. If your birth certificate is not certified (it does not have an official seal or raised stamp), you cannot use it — you must order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born.

Renewing a passport by mail versus in person

If your passport is still valid and was issued when you were 16 or older, you can renew by mail using Form DS-82 without going to a DMV or acceptance facility. You mail your old passport, the completed form, a new photo, and the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. This takes longer — usually four to six weeks for routine service — but you do not have to leave home.

You must explore in person (at a DMV acceptance facility, passport agency, or other acceptance location) if your passport was lost or stolen, if it was issued when you were under 16, if your name has changed and you cannot document the change, or if you want to add or change information. You also must explore in person if your passport is expired by more than five years.

If you are renewing in person, bring your old passport, a completed Form DS-11, a new photo, proof of citizenship, and a government-issued photo ID. The rules are the same as for a first-time process, except you already have a passport to show.

Processing times and expedited service

Standard passport processing takes four to six weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs extra. If you need your passport within 72 hours, you must explore in person at a passport agency (not at a DMV or post office acceptance facility) and pay for expedited execution, which is different from expedited processing. You must also show proof of travel — a plane ticket, hotel reservation, or cruise confirmation with your name and travel date.

Passport agencies are located in major cities: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. You can also explore at a regional agency in some states. Check the State Department website to find the agency nearest you and whether it accepts walk-ins or requires an appointment.

If you explore at a DMV acceptance facility, you cannot get expedited execution — you can only request expedited processing, which still takes two to three weeks. If you truly need your passport in days, you must go to a passport agency in person.

Fees and payment methods

A first-time adult passport book costs $130, plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165. Renewal by mail costs $130. Renewal in person costs $130 plus $35 execution, for $165. A passport card (a wallet-sized ID valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean) costs $55 for adults, plus $35 execution if explore in person.

Expedited processing adds $60 to the total. Expedited execution at a passport agency (for travel within 72 hours) costs $60 on top of the standard fees.

Payment methods vary by location. Most DMV acceptance facilities accept cash, check, and credit or debit card. Passport agencies accept cash, check, credit card, and money order. Confirm what your specific location accepts before you go.

What happens after you submit your process

After you submit your process at a DMV or other acceptance facility, the facility sends it to the nearest State Department passport agency. You will receive a receipt with a tracking number. You can use this number to check the status of your passport on the State Department website.

The State Department will mail your passport to the address you provided on your process. Standard mail delivery takes a few days after the passport is printed. If you paid for expedited processing, the State Department prioritizes your process, but you still wait for mail delivery at the end.

If you applied at a passport agency in person for expedited execution, you may be able to pick up your passport the same day or next day, depending on the agency's workload. Ask when you explore.

Common reasons applications are rejected or delayed

Applications are delayed or rejected most often because the photo does not meet standards, the birth certificate is not certified, or required documents are missing. A photo with a colored background, glasses that reflect light, or a hat will be rejected. A birth certificate without an official seal will be rejected. If you forgot to sign the process form, it will be rejected.

Name changes also cause delays. If your name on your birth certificate does not match the name you want on your passport, you must bring a document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers. Without it, the State Department will not process your process.

If your process is rejected, the State Department will mail it back to you with an explanation. You then resubmit with the corrected documents. This adds weeks to the timeline, so double-check everything before you go to the acceptance facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport at my DMV if I do not have a birth certificate?

No. A birth certificate (or naturalization certificate if you were not born in the U.S.) is required for a first-time passport. If you do not have one, you must order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born before you can explore. This can take weeks, so start early if you know you need a passport.

What if I lost my passport and need a replacement fast?

Go to a passport agency in person and explore for expedited execution. Bring your old passport if you have any part of it, or a police report if it was stolen. You must show proof of travel within 72 hours. Same-day or next-day service is possible at some agencies, but it depends on their workload.

Do I need a new passport photo every time I renew?

Yes, you need a new photo for every process or renewal, even if you are renewing by mail. The photo must be taken within six months of when you submit your process. Your appearance may have changed since your last passport, and the State Department wants a current photo.

Can my child get a passport at the DMV?

Only if the DMV accepts passport applications and your child is explore in person. Both parents or guardians must be present, or one parent must bring a notarized consent form from the other. Minors under 16 cannot renew by mail — they must explore in person every time.

What if the DMV near me does not accept passport applications?

Find another acceptance facility nearby — most post offices, courthouses, and public libraries accept passport applications. You can search for facilities on the State Department website by entering your zip code. If none are nearby, you can explore by mail if you are renewing an existing passport, or travel to a passport agency if you need a first-time passport.