Travel Documents

Form DS-11 is the primary application for an adult applying for a first U.S. passport. It is also used by certain applicants who cannot renew an existing passport using Form DS-82, including applicants whose previous passport was lost, stolen, damaged, issued when they were under age 16, or issued more than 15 years ago.

Intended use: Applying for a first adult U.S. passport book, passport card, or both, or applying when the applicant does not qualify for renewal by mail or online.

Notarization: Form DS-11 is not notarized by a commissioned notary. The applicant must apply in person and sign the application only when instructed to do so by an authorized passport acceptance agent. Do not sign Form DS-11 before the acceptance appointment.

Required supporting documents: Applicants generally must provide original or certified evidence of U.S. citizenship, acceptable identification, a photocopy of the identification, a qualifying passport photograph, and the required fees. Requirements may vary according to the applicant’s circumstances.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Apply for an Adult Passport

Application form: U.S. Department of State — Passport Forms

Application location: U.S. Department of State — Passport Acceptance Facility Search

A notary cannot serve as a substitute for an authorized passport acceptance agent unless that individual or facility has been separately authorized by the U.S. Department of State to accept passport applications.

Form DS-82 is used by eligible applicants to renew a U.S. passport by mail. The Department of State may also offer online renewal to applicants who satisfy its current eligibility requirements.

Intended use: Renewing an eligible adult passport book, passport card, or both without submitting a new in-person Form DS-11 application.

Notarization: Form DS-82 is not ordinarily notarized. The applicant signs and dates the form according to the Department of State’s instructions. A notarized signature does not replace any renewal requirement.

Eligibility: Eligibility depends on factors including the applicant’s age when the previous passport was issued, the date of issuance, the passport’s condition, possession of the passport, and whether any name change can be properly documented. Applicants who do not qualify must generally use Form DS-11.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Renew a Passport by Mail

Forms and eligibility guidance: U.S. Department of State — Passport Forms

Applicants should use the Department of State’s current eligibility instructions rather than selecting a renewal form solely because they previously held a passport.

A passport book is used for international travel by air, land, or sea. A passport card is a smaller travel document that may be used for entry into the United States at land-border crossings and sea ports of entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean countries.

Intended use: The passport book is the standard document for international air travel. The passport card may offer a convenient alternative for eligible land and sea travel within its limited area of use.

Notarization: Neither the passport book nor the passport card application is ordinarily notarized. The required passport application process controls how and where the applicant must sign.

Important limitation: A passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Travelers should confirm that the passport document selected is valid for the entire itinerary.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Compare a Passport Book and Passport Card

Form DS-64 is used to report a valid U.S. passport book or passport card as lost or stolen. Reporting a passport protects the holder’s identity and causes the reported passport to be invalidated.

Intended use: Reporting a lost or stolen passport. A person who also needs a replacement passport may be required to submit Form DS-11 and supporting documents.

Notarization: Form DS-64 is not ordinarily notarized. Follow the Department of State’s current online, mail, or in-person reporting instructions.

Important limitation: Once a passport is reported lost or stolen, it is invalid and cannot be used if later recovered.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Report a Lost or Stolen Passport

Passport forms: U.S. Department of State — Passport Forms

A visa or electronic travel authorization grants or confirms permission to seek entry into another country for a specified purpose and period. Requirements vary according to the destination, traveler’s citizenship, length of stay, and reason for travel.

Intended use: Tourism, business, employment, study, transit, family visits, extended stays, or another purpose regulated by the destination country.

Notarization: Requirements vary. Many visa and electronic-authorization applications do not require notarization, but a destination country may require notarized consent, financial support documents, affidavits, certified copies, apostilles, translations, or other supporting records.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Country Information and Entry Requirements

The correct visa or authorization must be obtained from the destination country’s embassy, consulate, or official immigration website. Third-party visa services may charge processing fees or offer paid assistance. Natural State Signature Services LLC does not select visas, prepare immigration filings, or guarantee entry into another country.

The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is an official health document used to record yellow-fever vaccination and certain other internationally recognized vaccinations or prophylaxis.

Intended use: Providing required proof of vaccination when entering or traveling through a country with applicable health-entry requirements.

Notarization: The certificate is not notarized by a commissioned notary. It must be completed, signed, and officially validated by an authorized vaccination provider or designated medical center.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis

Destination health guidance: CDC Travelers’ Health — Destinations

Travelers should verify vaccination and certificate requirements for every destination and transit country well before departure.

An International Driving Permit translates information from a valid driver’s license into multiple languages and may be required or recommended when driving in another country. It does not replace the traveler’s valid state-issued driver’s license.

Intended use: Driving or renting a vehicle while traveling outside the United States when the destination country or rental company recognizes or requires an International Driving Permit.

Notarization: An International Driving Permit application is not ordinarily notarized. Applicants must follow the issuing organization’s identification, photograph, fee, and application requirements.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Driving and Road Safety Abroad

International Driving Permits issued to U.S. drivers are available only through organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State. Travelers should avoid unofficial websites offering unrecognized “international driver’s licenses” or digital permits.

An adult traveler may carry a written emergency-information document identifying emergency contacts, medical conditions, allergies, medications, physicians, insurance information, and preferred contacts. A separate medical authorization or advance directive may be appropriate when another person must communicate with healthcare providers or make decisions if the traveler becomes unable to act.

Intended use: Helping medical providers, travel companions, insurers, or emergency contacts respond during an illness, injury, hospitalization, or other emergency away from home.

Notarization: A basic emergency-information sheet is not ordinarily notarized. A healthcare power of attorney, advance directive, HIPAA authorization, or other legal document may have separate signing, witnessing, or notarization requirements. The traveler should use the appropriate document accepted in the relevant jurisdiction.

Source: U.S. Department of State — International Travel Checklist

Health guidance: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Before You Travel

Natural State Signature Services LLC cannot determine which healthcare directive or authorization a traveler needs. Consult a licensed attorney or appropriate healthcare professional for document-selection or legal advice.

STEP is a free U.S. Department of State service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling or living abroad to receive safety and security information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Intended use: Receiving security, health, weather, demonstration, emergency, and Travel Advisory updates while abroad. Enrollment may also help an embassy or consulate communicate with the traveler or an identified emergency contact during a crisis.

Notarization: STEP enrollment is not a notarized document and does not require a notary.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

STEP enrollment does not replace a passport, visa, travel insurance policy, emergency plan, or destination-specific entry document.