Check your travel status. Anyone with travel restrictions due to probation, parole or any other such stipulations will have his application denied. The U.S. government does not ban outright the privilege of international travel for people with criminal convictions or a criminal history. As a matter of fact, the U.S. passport application doesn't inquire about an applicant's criminal history. Individuals with such a background must simply meet all the criteria everyone else has to--they must be U.S. citizens able to establish identity with the prescribed documents and pay the applicable fees.
Check the policy of your intended destination. While some countries do not require a visa, others do. Visa applications ask specific questions regarding criminal convictions and governments routinely deny admission to individuals based on the length of time that has lapsed since the conviction, as well the "seriousness" of the transgression.
Ensure that all required documents are accounted for and unexpired. Photocopies should be on plain, white 8 1/2-by-11-inch standard paper stock, showing the front and the back of your ID.
Fill out a DS-11 application. Do not sign.
Apply in person at an approved facility. Passport acceptance facilities generally include post offices and regional passport agencies. The U.S. Department of State offers an online passport-acceptance-facility search engine (see Resources).
