A passport is issued only to citizens of that particular country or citizens of territories held by that country. The United States issues passports to U.S. citizens or citizens of U.S. territories, and passport applicants must submit an approved "Proof of Citizenship" document. Approved documents include a previously issued, unaltered U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a consular certificate of birth abroad, a naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.
To receive a U.S. passport for the first time, you must fully fill out a U.S. passport application form DS-11 for in-person delivery, or form DS-82 for mail-in processing. Do not sign the form until you are in front of an acceptance agent. For timely processing, write your social security number in the appropriate box.
Take the application to a passport application center--U.S. Post Offices are common locations--if it is your first time applying for a U.S. passport, you are under the age of 16, your previous passport was lost or damaged, your last passport was issued 15 years or more ago, or your last passport was issued when you were under 16 years of age. The parent or guardian of a child applying for a passport must also be present with identification.
When submitting your passport application and supporting documents, bring along an accepted form of identification. Accepted forms include a previously issued U.S. passport, a valid driver's license, a naturalization certificate, a current government ID card, or a current military ID card.
If you are unable to provide one of the above means of ID, bring a combination of items that confirm your identity. Documents include a credit card, a library card, a social security card, and an employee ID. Otherwise, a person can choose to get an identity witness--a person they have known for at least two years who is a U.S. citizen or resident with a valid ID--to fill out and submit form DS-71.
Parents or guardians accompanying a minor under the age of 16 applying for a passport need to bring along ID that proves their relationship to the minor. Documentation includes the minor's U.S. birth certificate (or certificate of birth abroad) with both parents' names, an adoption decree with both parents' names, a court order establishing guardianship, or a court order establishing custody.
A person applying for a U.S. passport must provide photocopies of all of the ID documents they submit. The photocopies must be on standard size, white paper stock showing both the front and the back of the person's documents, printed only on one side. The paper must be free from other markings.
U.S. passport applicants are required to submit an application fee with their passport. Fees change from time to time, and are different for adults and minors, so check the U.S. government's Travel.State.gov website on passport fees for the most recent information.
Two identical, recent color photos are necessary. The photos must be 2-inches-by-2-inches in size and printed on photo-quality paper. The applicant should be dressed in street attire without glasses or a hairstyle that obstructs the face. The photo should be a head-shot showing the full face against a plain white or off-white background.
