A first U.S. passport is issued by the U.S. Department of State, not by Texas. You apply in person at an acceptance facility, which checks your documents and mails the application. Texas has 447 of them in 297 cities. The busiest searches are for Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth and El Paso.
Steps and what to bring
- Fill in form DS-11 online or on paper. Do not sign it.
- Gather proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate, previous passport or naturalization certificate) and a photocopy.
- Bring a valid photo ID, such as a Texas driver's license, and a photocopy of front and back.
- Get a 2x2 inch photo, or use one of the 383 offices that take photos. See passport photos.
- Book or confirm the office's passport hours: 364 of 447 Texas offices list theirs as by appointment.
- Pay two fees: $130 to the State Department and $35 to the office (fees table).
- Track the status online and plan with current processing times.
Where to apply in Texas
Post offices are the most common option (291 locations), followed by county clerk and court offices (106) and public libraries (29). County offices include Atascosa County District Clerk, Austin County District Clerk, Bandera County District Clerk, Bastrop County District Clerks Office, Bexar County Courthouse, Brazoria County District Clerk Office, Burnet District Clerk, Cameron County District Clerk. Browse all 297 cities or start with Arlington, Southlake, McAllen and Lubbock.
Which form do I need?
- DS-11: first passport, child under 16, last passport issued before 16 or more than 15 years ago, lost or stolen passport.
- DS-82: renewal by mail. See renewal.
- Children have extra rules: child passport.
Traveling soon?
Expedited service takes 2–3 weeks, not counting mailing. With travel within 14 days, book Houston Passport Agency, Dallas Passport Agency and El Paso Passport Agency. Details in expedited and urgent passports. Only flying domestically? Read REAL ID vs passport.
Questions
Where do I apply for my first passport in Texas?
In person at one of 447 acceptance facilities: 291 post offices, 106 county clerk or court offices, 29 libraries and other offices.
How much does a first adult passport cost?
$130 for the book plus the $35 acceptance fee: $165. A passport card alone is $30 plus $35.
Can I sign the DS-11 before my appointment?
No. You sign it in front of the acceptance agent.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State, Passport Fees (updated October 9, 2025; checked November 6, 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, Get My Passport Fast (checked November 6, 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, Passport Forms
- U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Search (Texas offices, retrieved July 2026)
Independent guide, not a government website. Rules can change; the State Department has the final word.