What is needed to get a passport?

In order to travel outside the United States, a passport is necessary and to get a passport, the U.S. passport application must be completed and submitted. The form, DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport, is available at a passport application acceptance facility or passport agency, and it can also be downloaded from the U.S. Department of State's website.

Submit proof of U.S. citizenship. Any one of the following items are acceptable forms of evidence; however, photocopied or notarized versions of them are not:

• Previously issued and undamaged U.S. passport
• Certified government-issued birth certificate
• Consular report of birth abroad
• Naturalization certificate
• Certificate of citizenship

Submit proof of identity. Any one of the following are acceptable:

• Previously issued and undamaged U.S. passport
• Naturalization certificate
• Valid driver's license
• Current government identification (city, state or federal)
• Current military identification (military and dependents)

Submit a copy of the identity documents on plain white, letter-size paper, with the front and back of the ID shown; however, only one side of the paper should be used for this. There should be no other images or markings on the paper.

Submit a single passport photo, and then pay the passport fee to complete this process. The state department's website has a list of the fees, but they are also listed at any passport application acceptance facility and passport agency.