# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How to Get Your Passport the First Time Easily & Quickly

The U.S. Department of State is the government agency responsible for issuing paper passports and the new passport card (as of July 2008). If you are traveling by boat or land to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean, you can elect for a passport card, which can be issued the same day you apply. Expedited passport applications are processed within five business days upon receipt. First-time applicants must apply in person.

Fee
Proof of identity
Proof of citizenship
Application form

Instructions

- 1
  Arrange your visit to submit your passport application. If you require same-day passport card service, it is available by appointment and offered only at the regional passport agencies in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Seattle or Washington, D.C. Passport card and expedited paper passport applications are accepted at any of the 19 regional passport offices by appointment, or on a walk-in basis at any acceptance facility (located in cities throughout the U.S., typically in U.S. Postal Service locations). Appointments can be made by calling the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 or online. An appointment form, addresses for the regional offices and a locator to find acceptance centers with your ZIP code are available in the Resources provided below.
- 2
  Print and complete the passport application (Form DS-11) available in the Resources section. Do not sign the application until you are advised to do so at your appointment.
- 3
  Make a copy of the approved documents required to prove your U.S. citizenship and identity. Acceptable citizenship documents include a certified birth certificate with a raised, embossed seal issued by the city, county or state, a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship. Acceptable primary identification documents include a naturalization certificate, valid driver's license or current government or military ID card.
- 4
  Take two 2 x 2 passport-sized photographs to bring with you to your appointment to submit with your application.
- 5
  Purchase two overnight express mail labels and envelopes if you are submitting an expedited paper passport application. Assemble an envelope and complete its label for return service to your address. Mark "Expedite" on the outside of the envelope in which you'll mail your application. The person who processes your application will complete the other label. Retain tracking numbers for future follow-up.
- 6
  Submit your application at a regional passport agency or acceptance facility with the required fee. Add $60 (as of April 2010) for expedited paper passport service.