The primary requirement to get a new United States passport is verified United States citizenship. You can provide a certified birth certificate if you were born within United States territory; a consular report of birth abroad; or a certification of birth if you were born abroad and at least one of your parents is a United States citizen. If you are a naturalized citizen of the United States, you can present your naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship to get your United States passport.
If you do not have primary citizenship evidence, you can submit multiple secondary documents that prove your citizenship status. Some acceptable early public record documents include hospital birth certificates, a census record, family Bible record, a doctor's record of your care after birth and a baptismal certificate. Early public record documents must be accompanied by a delayed birth certificate, a state-issued letter of no record, a birth affidavit or a foreign birth certificate along with proof of a parent's United States citizenship. If you are presenting secondary citizenship proof, submit as many documents as possible, because each case is reviewed individually for acceptance.
Proving your identity is required to obtain a new United States passport. You can present a previously issued United States passport, a naturalization certificate, current government identification, a current military identification or a valid driver's license.
Alternative identification proof can be a combination of signature documents such as a credit card, library card, employee identification or a Social Security card. You can also provide an identifying witness that has known you for more than 2 years, has a valid identification and is a United States citizen or permanent resident.
Fill out all passport applications fully and provide requested supporting documentation. For first time applicants, you will need to complete form DS-11, include two passport photos, photocopies of your citizenship and identification proof and pay the current passport fee. If you need a new United States passport because yours has expired, you will need to complete form DS-82. Passport renewals can be completed by mail. For lost or stolen passports, you must submit form DS-11 in person.
