Getting your first passport and not sure of what the process entails? No worries, while anything with the government can seem daunting, getting your passport is actually pretty painless – as long as you come prepared with the right documentation and have calculated your fees. Right now, a standard passport book is $110 and first-timers also need to pay a $25 execution fee.
If this is your first passport ever or you’re under the age of 16, you must apply in person. Here’s the rest of your passport 101:
To start the process, download form DS-11 from the U.S. Department of State. Do not sign this until you are told to do so by an issuing agent! Print out your PDF and bring a form of identification – either original or a certified copy:
- Your U.S. birth certificate
- Consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
Your birth certificate must list your full name, date of birth, and place of birth as well as list your parents’ full names. It must also show the date it was filed with the registrar’s office, has an issuing authority seal, and have been issued by the city, county, or state you were born in. You’ll also need to make a photocopy of whatever form of evidence you’re using – front and back if there’s anything on the back – on a plain 8.5” x 11” piece of paper.
Then, you need a present-day form of ID and a photocopy of it. That could include:
- Your valid, government-issued driver’s license
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
- U.S. military or military dependent ID
- Government employee ID (all levels: City, county, state, or federal)
- Valid foreign passport
- Matricula Consular
Next is your photo! No big smiles for you though in the photo – they frown upon that.
Make sure your smile is natural and unexaggerated. Oh, and keep your eyes open. Make sure your full face is in view. And follow about 15 billion other requirements. In fact, I think getting the damn photo for the passport is the hardest part. Some other requirements for your photo include:
- The photo must have been taken in the last six months
- Plain white or off-white background only
- Neutral facial expression or natural (read: closed-mouth) smile
- Normal clothing – This one is weird since you don’t really see the person’s clothes anyway… but it’s their rules
- No glasses
- No hats or head covering – you can submit a signed statement saying your head covering is part of religious attire that is customarily or required in public if you must have a head covering in your photo. Just make sure your whole face is visible.
- No headphones either
- Photo must be 2 in. by 2 in. (51 x 51 mm) with your head between 1 to 1 and ⅜ inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Photo must be in color and printed on glossy or matte photo paper
Finally, it’s time to go in and apply. Some passport agencies require appointments and others accept walk-ins. It’s best to find your acceptance facility and give them a call.
Need to renew your passport?
Fortunately, passports are valid for 10 years so once you’ve got it you’re good for a while. Though it is good to keep in mind that many countries require your passport to be valid six months after your travel dates. So if you’re traveling in June, your passport needs to be valid through at least December. You can always renew even if your current passport is still valid.
When it comes time to renew, you won’t need to go renew in-person but instead rely on snail mail. Pop online and download Form DS-82. This is assuming that your passport will be sent in with your application, it’s not destroyed beyond recognition, was issued within the last 15 years or when you were aged 16+, and issued in your current name.
Fill out the form and pop it and your new photo, current passport, and a personal check or money order (payable to the U.S. Department of State) to cover the application fees into an envelope. The envelope needs to be large enough that you do not have to fold any of your documentation for it to fit inside. It’s also best to pay for tracking so you know where your envelope is and when it arrives.
The processing time for a standard renewal is about four to six weeks and I think mine was at about the month mark. You can expedite it for $60 where the processing time trims down to two to three weeks.
Need to update your name?
Follow the same steps as a renewal but also submit a certified copy of your legal name change, like your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change document. This will be sent back to you though it will be sent separately from your new passport.
Need to report your passport as lost or stolen?
If your passport is lost or stolen, you need to immediately report it. Once it’s been reported as lost or stolen, it’s no longer valid and cannot be used. To report it, you can do so online, by filling out form DS-64 and mailing it in, or by calling 1-877-487-2778. You’ll then have to fill out form DS-11 in person to get a replacement.
