Apply in Person

• Anyone interested in obtaining a U.S. passport must first complete and submit an application (Form DS-11, see Resources). If you're applying for a passport for the first time, or if you obtained your first passport when you were fewer than 16 years of age, you must apply in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency. The Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State is the official passport-issuing agency for the U.S.
  
  

U.S. Citizenship

• To complete and submit Form DS-11, you must present evidence of U.S. citizenship. Evidence can include a certified birth certificate issued by a city, county or state, a naturalization certificate or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
  
  

Identification

• Applicants must also present a form of primary identification, which includes a valid driver's license, naturalization certificate, a valid government ID (federal, state or city) or a valid military ID.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Don't sign the application until told to do so by the agent working with you at the Passport Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency office. You must also provide your Social Security number.
  
  

Photos

• Two passport photos are required. The photos must be identical and in color. They should be 2-by-2 inches with a front view of your full face (bottom of chin to top of hair) with a plain white or off-white background. You're not allowed to wear a hat or nonprescription sunglasses in the photos. Many places offer passport photo services, including U.S. post offices, FedEx Office, Walgreens and Rite Aid. Appointments are suggested and sometimes required.
  
  

Fee

• When your application is complete and submitted, you must pay the applicable fee. The total fee for a U.S. passport book for someone older than 16 is more than the total fee for someone less than 16 and includes application and execution fees.Passport renewals cost less, usually just the application fee because the execution fee is paid to the facility at which you're applying.