You will need a completed Form DS-11 for a U.S. passport. Find the form online or at a local acceptance facility such as a United States Post Office. Complete all parts of the form, including your Social Security number, and do not sign it until instructed to do so at the acceptance facility.
Applicants must provide evidence of U.S. citizenship when applying for a U.S. passport. There are several forms of proof that will satisfy this requirement. You can submit a previously issued U.S. passport that is not damaged, or a city-, county- or state-issued certified birth certificate. Alternately you can provide a consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth; naturalization certificate; or a certificate of citizenship.
These are considered primary forms of evidence of citizenship. You should submit any of these forms if you have them; however, if you do not, there are secondary forms of evidence that can suffice.
An early public record is a secondary form of evidence you can submit in lieu of primary evidence. Acceptable early public records are: a baptismal certificate; hospital birth certificate; census record; early school record; family Bible record; or a doctor's record of post-natal care. If you are submitting one of these documents, you must also provide an additional form of secondary evidence such as a delayed birth certificate or a Letter of No Record. Alternately, you may submit a Form DS-10, also available on the Department of State website, along with an early public record.
If you were born abroad and do not have a form of primary evidence, you must submit all of the following: your foreign birth certificate; evidence of citizenship of your U.S. parent; your parent's marriage certificate; a statement from your U.S. citizen parent providing all dates and places of residence or presence in the United States before your birth.
You are required to present a form of identification when applying for a passport. Primary forms of identification include: a previously issued passport; naturalization certificate; valid driver's license; current government ID; a current military ID. If your ID is from another state, you must also submit a second form of identification.
If you do not have a primary form of identification you may submit a secondary form. Acceptable secondary forms of identification include any combination of the following: a Social Security card; credit card; employee ID; or library card. You must provide more than one secondary form of identification. Alternately, you can provide an identifying witness to swear to your identity.
You must also submit a photocopy of all the provided identification. This copy must be on plain 8 ½-by-11-inch paper and show the front and back of your ID. The copy should only include images on one side of the paper. If you need to, you can use more than one sheet of paper to make your copy.
Applicants are required to submit two passport photos with the passport application. The photos must meet the following requirements: identical color images; 2-by-2 inches in size; printed on thin photo paper; taken with the last six months in street clothes and resemble your current appearance; full frontal view of your face with a plain white or off-white background; between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.
You must submit payment for all applicable fees with your passport application. Acceptable payment forms are: credit cards; debit and check cards; checks; money orders and bank drafts. All checks, bank drafts and money orders must be made payable to the Department of State.
