How To Get A United States Passport In Five Steps

If you want to travel outside the United States or want an unassailable personal identity document, you’ll want to get an official US travel document. The procedure how to get a US passport is simple but must be followed precisely. The details below are for an adult applying for a new one, not getting one renewed.

New Passport

The definition for a “new” passport is actually a fairly broad category. Obviously, if you’ve never had one and this is your first application, this procedure applies to you. However, you are also considered to be getting a new passport if yours has been stolen, damaged or lost. “New” also applies to you if your old one was issued more than 15 years ago or if you’ve changed your name since your current passport was issued, but you can’t legally document your name change.

Federal Forms

The federal form you need to submit is the DS-11. You can download a copy off the Internet. The instructions on how to fill this form out are on the form itself. It’s recommended that you fill it out as completely as possible. It should go without saying that you should also fill it out truthfully. There’s a different form for renewing passports.

Forms Of ID

With your DS-11 form, you’ll have to show proof of your identity. While you’ll be able to use this travel document as ID once you get it, you can’t use this process to establish your identity. You’ll have to show the government first that you are exactly who you say you are before you can get further additional documentation. The easiest way to prove your identity is by including a copy of what’s called primary proof of identity. This category includes a current military ID, driver’s license, naturalization certificate, or any current government issued identification.

Citizenship

The next critical piece of documentation you’ll need to submit is proof of your US citizenship. If you’re a naturalized citizen, your naturalization certificate can serve as both proof of identity and citizenship. If you’re a naturally born US citizen, a certified, long form birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or citizenship certificate will prove your citizenship.

Photos

Finally, you’ll need to pay the application fee and have an acceptable photo to round out your application packet. The fee you’ll have to pay can vary based on your exact situation. You can consult an online fee schedule to determine what your cost will be. As for your photo, it can’t be more than six months old. It also must be a close of your full face, in color and exactly two by two inches in size.

Application Packet

Now that you have all the required pieces of your application packet, you’ll need to deliver it to an authorized US passport office. Don’t worry, there are so many all over the country that you doubtlessly have one near you. You can find full listing of these offices online. They are most often located in popular public buildings, such as libraries, post offices or courthouses. Once you know which office you’ll visit, call it before just walking through the door. Some offices will only accept applications by appointment.

That’s all there is to it. Now that you know how to get a U.S. passport, you can get the process started. There can be nothing so valuable as having proof of your US citizenship that will be accepted the world over. There’s a different process for renewing United States passport.