Bad photos are the number one reason why we put passport applications on hold. Follow these steps to respond to the letter asking for a new photo:

• Make sure to include a copy of the letter you received from us, so that we can match your new photo to your pending application.
• Respond by the deadline on the letter.
• Don’t write anything on the front or back of the photo.
• Review our photo requirements before sending us a new photo.

If only one (or neither) parent or guardian applied in person for the child’s passport, you will need to provide more information:

Important: Submit Form DS-3053 and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

To show parental relationship with your child, submit one of these documents:

• U.S. birth certificate
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce or custody decree

If your name has changed since your child’s birth, submit one document showing your name change:

• Court-ordered name change
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree

You must submit both the original (or certified) birth certificate and a photocopy. Your U.S. birth certificate must meet these requirements:

• Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
• Lists applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth
• Lists parent(s)’ full names
• Has the signature of the city, county, or state registrar
• Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
• Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state which issued it

Contact the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born if you need a new birth certificate.

If there is no birth certificate on file in the state or territory where you were born, you must submit a Letter of No Record and early public records. See our Citizenship Evidence page for more information.

An image of the sample features of a U.S. birth certificate

When you renew by mail, an intake facility reviews your application and supporting documents before processing starts at a passport agency or center.

If you did not complete the application or provide all supporting documents, the intake facility will send you a letter. The letter may include a QR code with a link to our Renew by Mail page. Common reasons for getting this letter include:

• No signature or date on your form
• Bad or missing photo
• Pages of your form are missing
• Wrong or missing fees
• Most recent passport is missing
• Most recent passport issued over 15 years ago
• You are not eligible to renew and must apply in person

Follow the instructions in the letter. You must include the letter we sent you when you send the new application. 

Sign up to get email updates about your passport application status.

"Not Available" means that your application is being reviewed by our intake facility and has not arrived at a passport agency or center.  

"In Process" means a passport agency or center is processing your new application. 

When you applied in person, you had to show the acceptance agent a photo ID. If you received a letter or email asking for more identification, send us several photo IDs and include photocopies of the front and back of each one. 

If you were born outside the United States and got U.S. citizenship through the naturalization of your parent(s), submit:

• Your foreign birth certificate listing your parent(s)
• Evidence of your parent’s U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), or naturalization certificate
• Evidence of your permanent residence status. Examples include:
  • Permanent Resident Card/Green Card
  • Foreign passport with the original I-551 visa entry stamp
• Your parents' marriage certificate (if your parents were married when you legally entered the U.S. and before your 18th birthday) 
• Documentation of legal custody when you entered the United States, if your parents were not married at that time. If your parents divorced after you entered the United States, provide documentation of legal custody at the time of your parent’s naturalization 
• Evidence that you resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent 
• Evidence of your legitimation (if your parents were not married at the time of your birth). Legitimation means a father – whose child was born when he was not married – establishes a full legal relationship to his child. Establishing this relationship gives the father the same rights and obligations as if his child had been born while married to the child’s mother.
• Examples of legitimation include:
  • Your parents' marriage certificate dated after your birth
  • Certified court order of legitimation 

Please see U.S. Citizenship Laws & Policy for more information.

U.S. Citizenship through Adoption

If you were born outside the United States and got your citizenship after you were adopted, please see our Child Citizenship Act webpage for more information.