Along with your passport application, you must submit proof of U.S. citizenship, identification and two passport photos. According to the U.S. Department of State, acceptable forms of U.S. citizenship are previously issued passports, birth certificates, a consular report of birth abroad, naturalization certificates and certificates of citizenship. Acceptable forms of identification are a previously issued U.S. passport, a driver's license, naturalization certificates, a current government ID and current military IDs. Passport photos must be identical, taken in regular clothing (no uniforms, hats or non-prescription glasses), in color, 2 inches by 2 inches, no more than 6 months old, a front view of your full face in front of a white background and between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from your chin to the top of your head.
The fee for first-time passport applicants applying for a passport book and card, who are age 16 and older, is $120. For just a passport book, the fee is $100, and for just a passport card the fee is $45. The fee for renewal passport books and cards is $95, just a passport book is $75, and just a passport card is $20. For children under 16, the fee for a passport card and book is $95, passport books are $85 and passport cards are $35. There is a $60 fee to expedite your processing time if you so choose. All fees are as of 2010.
The current processing time for U.S. passports and passport cards is 4 to 6 weeks. For passports that have been expedited, the time from is 2 to 3 weeks. Application statuses may be checked on the U.S. Department of State website 5 to 7 days after applications have been submitted.
A passport card is a small card, the size of your driver's license, that is used in place of a U.S. passport for entry into the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Mexico by land or boat. The passport card cannot be used to enter any of these countries by air. For that you will need a passport book. The passport card is less expensive than a passport book and more convenient for those who are traveling by land or on a cruise.
You must apply for your passport at a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. Acceptance facilities are post offices, public libraries, clerks of court and other government offices approved by the Department of State. Your local acceptance facility can be located by entering your zip code on the U.S. Department of State passport acceptance facility website. There are 19 passport agencies around the country. It is recommended you only make an appointment at a passport agency if you have special circumstances, such as needing your passport within 2 weeks for international travel, or needing a passport within 4 weeks to obtain a foreign visa.
