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What are the steps to getting a passport in the US?
To get a passport in the US you must fill out a form, gather required documents, get a photo, schedule an appointment, pay fees, attend, and wait.
Getting a passport is a pretty regular thing in much of the world, but not in the US. According to YouGov polling in 2021, only 1 in 3 Americans had valid passports. Securing one is necessary to travel outside the country.
To obtain a passport in the United States for the first time, you will need to follow these steps:
- Fill out the application form: You can download the passport application form (DS-11) from the US Department of State website or pick up a copy at a local Passport Acceptance Facility.
- Gather required documents: You will need to bring proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and a valid form of government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, to your appointment.
- Get a passport photo: You will need to bring a recent, color passport photo that meets the Department of State’s passport photo requirements.
- Schedule an appointment: You can schedule an appointment at a nearby Passport Acceptance Facility, which are often located in post offices, libraries, and other government buildings.
- Pay the fees: The fees for a passport vary depending on the type of passport you are applying for and how quickly you need it.
- Attend your appointment: At your appointment, you will submit your application, required documents, and passport photo, and pay the fees. You will also take an oath and sign the application.
- Wait for your passport to arrive: Once your application has been processed, your passport will be mailed to you. You can check the status here.
From start to finish the application can take up to 13 weeks, so if you are going on holiday get the passport out the way early.