ID Requirements for a US Passport

American citizens may apply for a passport at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. Acceptance facilities are usually post offices. The following information is current as of July 18, 2009.

Application Requirements

A passport application form must be submitted in person, and must be accompanied by evidence of the applicant's U.S. citizenship, applicant identification and two passport photographs.

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

The following documents are considered evidence of U.S. citizenship: a previously issued and undamaged U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth, a naturalization certificate, a certificate of citizenship.

Applicant Identification

The following documents are considered proper identification: a previously issued and undamaged U.S. passport, a naturalization certificate, a valid driver's license, a current government ID, a current military ID.

Features

A photocopy of the ID must be submitted as well. The photocopy must be on one side of a sheet of white, 8-1/2- by-11-inch paper and must show the ID's front and back. The photocopy must be free of other images or markings. The image may be enlarged but may not be smaller than the actual ID.

Passport Photos

The two photographs must be identical in color and 2 in. x 2 in. in size. The image must be full face, on a white background and taken from the front, and show the applicant's current, normal appearance. In the photograph, the distance from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head must be between 1 in. and 1-3/8 in.

The following are not allowed: uniforms (except for daily religious attire), hats or headgear obscuring hair, dark glasses (unless medically required and accompanied by a medical certificate), or vending machine photographs.

Special Requirements

Please see the U.S. Department of State website for special passport requirements for minors.

References

• U.S. Department of State: Passport Home