Determine the location of the nearest office where you can apply. Go to the State Department's Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page (see Resources). Punch in your zip code and hit "Search" to locate the nearest facilities.
Bring all the required information and materials. This includes your birth certificate, past passport or another form showing you're a U.S. citizen. You will also need to provide your Social Security number. Provide additional identification, such as a driver's license, military ID or government ID, or a naturalization certificate. You will also need a 2- by 2-inch color photo that complies with State Department regulations.
Apply for expedited processing. A normal passport with an in-person application is normally $110 plus a $25 processing fee, but you can pay an extra $60 plus an overnight delivery fee to expedite the process. Fill out the DS-11 form (or DS-82 form if you meet requirements to mail in your application) and mark it "Expedite." This fee applies for each passport you are getting or renewing. The current expedited passport time is two to three weeks.
Speed up the process by filling out the forms and getting the pictures taken before going to the passport application office.
