How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

The US Passport is a travel document that is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. With new requirements about carrying passport identification when travelling to Canada or Mexico, it is a good idea to apply for a passport.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport application, form DS-11
• 2 passport style photographs
• Original birth certificate
• Original Naturalzation certificate, if applicable.
• Proof of identity (driver's license, government ID, etc)

1. Get the most recent updated passport application form from the passport website at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/ OR from any of the passport agencies or application centers. If you are applying for a US passport for the first time, use form DS-11. If you are renewing your passport, use form DS-82.
2. Fill up the information truthfully.
3. Attach 2 recent passport style photographs.
4. If you are a US citizen by birth, provide a original copy of your birth certificate. This can be obtained from your local county health records office (where you were born).
   However, if you are a US citizenship by naturalization, provide a original copy of your Naturalization certificate.The passport application is now ready.
5. If you are applying for a passport for the FIRST time, you have to submit your application in person in one of the accepting centers (district courts, post offices, etc). You can obtain a list of such offices from the passport website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/.
   Else you can mail your passport.

Tips & Warnings

• Be truthful when filling out the form.
• Attach ORIGINALS of the documents that you are sending. They will be returned to you along with the passport.
• If you are having planned international travel in the immediate future, pay the expedited fee and request for an expedited processing.
• Make copies of the originals and your application before sending in your form.