# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How to Attain a Passport

Passports are used to travel to other countries that differ form your birth location. Whether you're traveling for leisure or business, if you leave the country in which you possess citizenship, you must attain a passport. Requirements in order to obtain a passport include, a copied form of identification, a completed DS-11 form, birth certificate and a passport sized photograph. Allow ample time before your trip an apply for your passport early due to the time it takes to process your application.

DS-11 application form
Passport photograph
Evidence of citizenship
Current identification
Photocopy of current identification
Application fees

Instructions

- 1
  Complete the DS-11 form with all of your current information and social security number. The DS-11 form is the actual application to receive your passport.
- 2
  Locate the nearest passport facility to your residence. Bring your DS-11 form to submit your application in person.
- 3
  Provide proof of your citizenship. Provide either your birth certificate, previous passport, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
- 4
  Provide a current form of identification. Present your valid driver's license, government or military identification card or previous passport as your form of identification.
- 5
  Make a copy of your proof of identification on an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper and submit it to the passport facility for their records.
- 6
  Pay an applicable fee to the passport facility for processing. The fee varies according to your needs. The fee for the passport book and identification card sits, as of May 2011, at $165. The fee for just the passport book is $135. The fee for the card alone is $55.
- 7
  Provide a wallet sized photograph, following passport requirements, of yourself to act as your passport identification card photo.