American Citizen Services

Passport Services

First U.S. Passports: How to Apply

U.S. passports are issued only to U.S. citizens. Each person, including children, must obtain his or her own passport.

If your last  passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you are considered to be a first time applicant.

If you are applying for a first passport for a newborn child, please see the Reports of Birth Abroad section.

To apply for a first U.S. passport, ALL applicants MUST appear in person at the Embassy.

Items Needed for a First U.S. Passport Application:

1. A completed Form DS-11 (Please do not sign this form until asked to do so at the Embassy)

Form DS-11

Key DS-11 items:

For first passports for married women, it is mandatory that their maiden name be printed on the first passport application form DS-11 in box number 9 marked, "Have you Ever Used A Different Name" Applications that do not contain this information, if relevant, will be returned to the applicant to be completed.

All applications for children under 16 require both parents' or legal guardians' consent. When applying for a child under age 16, the parent (or legal guardian) not accompanying the child to the Embassy must sign the child's application form DS-11 and submit a legible photocopy of his/her signed passport whether he/she is a U.S. citizen or not. Non-U.S. citizens may submit a legible photocopy of a signed passport or a signed national photo identification card.

If the non-applying parent is unable to sign the application form DS-11, he/she MUST submit a notarized statement of consent authorizing the parent accompanying the child to submit the passport application for his/her child on his/her behalf. You MUST also submit the child's original birth certificate. Copies will not be accepted (see Proof of U.S. Citizenship below).

Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16

For information concerning notary services for this document please click here. No fee will be charged if the statement of consent is notarized at the Embassy.

Please type or print legibly in black ink when completing all sections of this application. Please print out and submit only one-sided pages of the application. 

Note: the online version of the application form includes instructions on the backside written for use in the United States, which do not apply to your application in Malaysia.

If you have an U.S. Social Security number, please complete block number 5 on the form DS-11--this is required by law.  If you do not yet have a Social Security number, write zeroes in the number spaces.  You will then have to apply for a Social Security number along with the U.S. passport application.

Each DS-11 application form must be accompanied by:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship (as explained below)




• Proof of Identity (as explained below)




• Two photos (as explained below)




• Fees (as explained below) AND




• Additional documents as requested.

Remember: Parents must execute the application for a child under 16 years old (as explained above).

2.  Proof of U.S. Citizenship

• APPLICANTS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES: Submit the original of a U.S. birth certificate. A birth certificate must include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, date the birth record was filed, and seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records. A record filed more than 1 year after the birth is acceptable if it is supported by evidence described in the next paragraph.

  IF NO BIRTH RECORD EXISTS, submit a registrar's notice to that effect. Also submit an early baptismal or circumcision certificate, hospital birth records, early census, school, or family bible records, newspaper or insurance files, or notarized affidavits of persons having knowledge of your birth (preferably with at least one record listed above). Evidence should include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, and seal or other certification of office (if customary) and signature of issuing official.




• APPLICANTS BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES: Submit Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship, or a Report of Birth Abroad, or evidence described below.

  IF YOU CLAIM CITIZENSHIP THROUGH THE NATURALIZATION OF YOUR PARENT(S), submit the Certificate(s) of Naturalization of your parent(s), your foreign birth certificate, and proof of your admission to the United States for permanent residence.

  IF YOU CLAIM CITIZENSHIP THROUGH BIRTH ABROAD TO YOUR U.S. CITIZEN PARENT(S): please submit the original Consular Report of Birth (Form FS-240) or original Certification of Birth (Form DS-1350 or FS-545). You may also submit the original of your foreign birth certificate, your parents' marriage certificate, proof of citizenship of your parent(s) and affidavit of U.S. citizens parent(s) showing all periods and places of residence/physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.

  IF YOU CLAIM CITIZENSHIP THROUGH THE CHILD CITIZEN ACT of 2000 (CCA): The CCA grants automatic or expeditious naturalization to the minor children of U.S. citizens abroad. Step-children do not qualify for the acquisition of U.S. citizenship through their U.S. citizen step-parent. Click here for complete information on the CCA, including application forms.

3. Proof of Identity 

You must establish your identity to the consular officer's satisfaction. Temporary or altered documents are not acceptable. You may prove your identity with any one of these documents, if you are recognizable in it:

• Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as of U.S. citizenship.)




• Naturalization Certificate




• Certificate of Citizenship




• Current, valid, driver's license; government ID: city, state or federal; military ID; Malaysian passport or Malaysian MyKad ID card.

  NOTE: Your Social Security card does NOT prove your identity.

IF YOU CANNOT PROVE YOUR IDENTITY as stated above, you must appear with an IDENTIFYING WITNESS who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who has known you for at least 2 years. Your witness must prove his or her identity and complete and sign an Affidavit of Identifying Witness (Form DS-71) before the consular Officer. You must also submit some identification of your own.

Form DS-71

4. Two (2) identical, recent (last 6 months) color photos taken full face, with a white background, measuring 5 cm by 5 cm (2 in x 2 in). Please ask the photographer for U.S.passport-sized photos, otherwise you may be given the wrong format.

5. Fees:

Age 15 and below:: The fee for first-time U.S. passports is $85.00 or the equivalent in Malaysian ringgit. The fee must be paid in cash or by credit card. The U.S. passport is normally valid for 5 years.

Age 16 and older: The fee for first-time U.S. passports is $100.00 or the equivalent in Malaysian ringgit. The fee must be paid in cash or by credit card. The U.S. passport is normally valid for 10 years.
 

6. Additional documents as requested.

Once we receive the completed passport application, it takes approximately two weeks for you to receive your new passport.

*Remember: ALL first time applicants must apply in person.*

Note: When traveling, please remember to carry a photocopy of your U.S. passport bio page separately from your U.S. passport. In the event of loss or theft, the copy will facilitate issuance of an emergency passport.

Security at the Consular Section
All official facilities are mandated to use access control procedures for all visitors and their handbags and packages. No luggage, electronic or photographic equipment is permitted in our waiting room or on other Embassy premises.