Check the U.S. Department of State website to see how long current processing times are for passport applications. If you need your passport sooner than the current turnaround time listed, you will need to either expedite your passport or apply for a same day passport.
You will need two photographs to submit with your passport application. You can go to a business to have your photo taken or you can have the photo taken at home. Fed Ex is a common place to have passport photos taken. If you opt to have the photo taken at home, be sure to follow all of the guidelines regarding composition.
Complete Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. This form can usually be obtained from the post office or county clerk's offices. The form can also be printed from the U.S. Department of State website. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate to submit with your completed form and two passport photos. If you have at least two to three weeks to obtain your passport, expediting your passport application is likely the way to go. If you opt to expedite your passport application, there will be an additional fee on top of the regular application fee. Be sure to mark your clearly mark your envelope as expedited when mailing in your application package. Overnight delivery is recommended for expedited requests.
If your passport is needed within 14 days, you will need to schedule an appointment with your local passport agency. You will need to appear in person with all of your application documents (including your passport photos and certified birth certificate) along with proof of travel (a travel itinerary or plane tickets). There is an additional fee for this service on top of the regular application fee. It is possible to obtain a passport the same day as your appointment if it is deemed necessary.
