Determine if you must apply for a passport in person or can take another route. You must apply for a passport in person if this is your first passport, you are aged 16 or younger (or if your passport was acquired when you were under the age of 16), if your existing passport has been compromised (stolen, lost, damaged), your passport is over 15 years old, or you have had a name change.
Locate a facility that issues passports. Kansas has several government approved passport facilities. Most U.S. post offices and your county's register of deeds office will issue passports.
Fill out the application for a U.S. passport. You can download an application from the Internet (DS-28 if you are applying through any other means that in person), or pick up the form (DS-11 if you are applying in person) from the approved passport facility. If applying in person, do not sign the application until instructed to do so.
Supply proof of U.S. citizenship. Proofs of citizenship include birth certificates, an old passport, and naturalization or citizenship certificates. If you are applying in person, you must present a photo I.D. as well. Acceptable forms of I.D include driver's license, military identification card, an old passport, and a naturalization certificate.
Submit two passport photos. Passport photos must be 2 inches X 2 inches in size, identical, and must have been taken within the last six months. You should have a plain white background and the photo must be of your full face. Do not wear any accessories unless they are part of your everyday dress (glasses, religious clothing).
Pay the passport application fee. You should receive your passport in the mail in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. If you are mailing your application, send all required information to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
