# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How to Get a Passport in Illinois

Traveling out of the country is an exciting adventure; however, long-distance travel can be very tiring, so you want to be as prepared as possible in order to avoid unnecessary problems. Most countries require a passport in order to enter. Passports can take from a few weeks to a few months to obtain, so plan ahead when getting your passport. There are a variety of ways in which you can obtain your passport in Illinois, one of which is as convenient as going to your local post office.

Passport application
2 passport photos
Proof of citizenship
Proof of identity
Passport fees

Instructions

- 1
  
  United States post offices in Illinois process passport applications.
  
  Stop at your local post office to pick up a passport application and schedule an appointment to bring it in for processing. It's best to initially take the application home so you have time to fill it out and gather all the necessary documents.
- 2
  Fill out your passport application completely, using a black or blue pen. If there are any questions you're uncertain about, leave them blank and wait to fill them out until you can ask the postal worker in the passport department of your post office.
- 3
  
  Your photo will be placed on the inside of your passport.
  
  Get your passport photo taken at a photographer's studio. Some Illinois post offices are equipped to take the photos for you; check with your post office to be certain. Passport photos must be a specific size and your head must take up a specific portion of the photo. It's best to have the photo taken by a professional, rather then bring in something that turns out to be unusable.
- 4
  Collect all other necessary documents prior to your passport application processing appointment. Bring proof of citizenship in the form of an expired passport or certified birth certificate, as well as proof of identification. Proof of identification can be your driver's license, state ID or a military card.
- 5
  
  Bring your passport fees with you.
  
  Check the Resources area here, or your Illinois post office branch's website for current passport fees. Bring the money for passport fees to your appointment in the form of cash.