How to Easily Apply for a United States Passport

For many travelers, the ultimate goal is to have a passport that is full of those coveted stamps from around the world.

But before you can start booking flights and collecting those symbols of world traveler status, you have to make sure you have a current U.S. passport.

I remember being so excited when I was applying for my passport for the first time. It feels like the “Golden Ticket” from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, giving you an all-access pass to the world.

But there are several things you will need to keep in mind when applying for the first time.

I’ll break it down for you here, giving you all you need to know about applying for your passport in preparation for your big trip.

Passport Book vs. Passport Card

The first thing you should do is determine whether you need a Passport Book or a Passport Card. The passport card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda through land borders or seaports.

The passport card cannot be used for international air travel though. So if there is any chance you will be flying internationally, you have to get the passport book.

If you will only be traveling by land or sea to the above-named countries though, the passport card is a cheaper and less cumbersome alternative for your travels.

You can apply for both at the same time if you want to have both on hand.

Regardless, you will need to fill out Form DS-11, the passport application. You can fill it out online and print it out to submit, or print out a blank form and fill it out by hand.

Note that you should not sign your form ahead of time. You must do this in the presence of the person executing your passport application when you are instructed to do so.

Find a Passport Agency or Acceptance Facility

If you are applying for your first passport, you must apply in person at a passport agency, an acceptance facility such as a post office, or a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Pay for a United States Passport

Passports are not necessarily cheap, but if you see it as an investment in your future, it shouldn’t seem unreasonable to pay the application and execution fees.

The Passport Book alone has a $110 application fee, and the Passport Card alone has a $30 application fee. To get the book and card together, you will need to pay the $140 application fee.

Regardless of which you are applying for, you will need to pay a $25 execution fee as well. If you are applying at the Passport Agency, you can pay both fees in one transaction. However, if you are applying at a post office, you will need to make two separate payments for the application and execution fees, so don’t write your checks ahead of time.

You can only use credit or debit cards for the application fee if you are applying at the Passport Agency. At an acceptance facility, you must pay with either a check or money order made out to the Department of State for the application fee.

Your Passport Photo & Identification

When you present your passport to immigration and customs, you want your passport to look like you, and not some past version of you.

You can check the full passport photo requirements at the State Department’s website, but the things to keep in mind are that your photo should be representative of what you look like on a daily basis.

You can take your passport photo yourself, but be sure to study the requirements and use the composition template the government provides to insure that it is acceptable.

You may want to use the State Department’s online photo tool as well, found on the photo requirements page.

You can also go to most drugstores and discount stores that have a photo department (like Walgreens, Rite Aid or Walmart) to get your photos taken quickly and cheaply.

They usually charge less than $10 for two passport photos, and the employees are trained in the proper composition of these photos so you know they will be accurate.

What You’ll Need to Bring to Your Passport Appointment

In addition to this photo used for your passport, bring with you:

• Birth certificate: This must be the original, certified certificate with an embossed seal on it. It will be returned to you along with your passport when it is issued.
  
• ID: You must also bring a primary form of photo identification, such as your driver’s license or other government-issued identification.
  
• Photocopies: Be sure to also bring a photocopy of this identification to be submitted along with your application.

Passport Application Timeline

When applying for a passport for the first time, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time for the full process.

Ideally, you should leave a couple months between applying for your passport and your departure date, just to be on the safe side in case of any delays in processing.

Typically, it will take about 4-6 weeks for your passport to be processed and returned to you.

If you need it quicker than that, you can pay $60 extra for expedited service, which will speed up the process to about 2-3 weeks.

You can check the State Department’s website for current passport application processing times, which could be helpful in planning your time frame.

• Review: Step-by-Step Passport Applications

1. Gather all the documents you will need, including your certified birth certificate, photo ID (original and a photocopy).
2. Fill out Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. You can do this online or by hand.
3. Get your passport photo taken according to the requirements set by the U.S. Department of State.
4. Submit your completed form in person.
5. Submit your evidence of U.S. citizenship.
6. Present identification to the passport official.
7. Submit a copy of identification with your application.
8. Pay the application and execution fees.
9. Submit your passport photo.
10. Anywhere from two to 6 weeks later, receive your passport (and citizenship document) in the mail.
11. Take on the world!

Once you’ve filled up that shiny new passport, check out our article on How To Renew Your U.S. Passport!

Tell us your stories about the first time you traveled to far-off lands!