Apply for a passport in person at your nearest acceptance facility or Passport Agency. Post offices commonly have this form available. Fill out Form DS-11 and bring it with you to the acceptance facility or Passport Agency. You can fill the form out online from the U.S. Department of State website, print it and take it with you ahead of time. Do not sign the application until you receive instructions to from the agent at the acceptance facility or Passport Agency.
Provide proof of your status as a U.S. citizen. The U.S. Department of State website lists the following as acceptable Primary Evidence of US Citizenship: Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport; certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth; Naturalization Certificate; or Certificate of Citizenship.
Provide a valid form of photo identification. The U.S. Department of State accepts the following forms of identification for the in-person passport application: Previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport; Naturalization Certificate; valid driver's license; current government ID (city, state or federal); or current military ID (military and dependents).
Provide a photocopy of the photo identification you are using for your application. The photocopy needs to show the front and back of your ID, and it must be printed on one side of a standard, white, letter-sized paper.
Provide payment for the passport processing fee. The U.S. Department of State lists current passport application fees.
Submit two passport photos with your application. Do not attach the photo to your completed Form DS-11. The photos must taken within the past 6 months, show your full face, have a plain white background, show you in your everyday clothing, and the photos must be 2 inches by 2 inches in size. You can have passport photos taken at most drugstores in the U.S. and retail photo processing shops.
