Skip to Content

7 Tips On How To Get A Passport

Share with a friend

 

7 Tips On How To Get a passport

Recently, while renewing my passport, I was reminded that many people have never gotten a passport and don’t know the 7 tips on how to get a passport.

I’m traveling to Brazil soon and U.S. citizens are required to get a visa.  A Brazilian visa, like an adult U.S. passport, is valid for 10 years.  Rather than having to travel with both passports, I opted to renew my passport now.

While at the passport office I overheard people being turned away, not being able to apply for their passports because they did not have the necessary documents.  This included people who had already purchased airline tickets and made other nonrefundable travel arrangements.

So that you don’t find yourself in a similar situation, here’s my 7 tips on how to get a passport.

7 Tips On How To Get A Passport:

1. Have evidence of your U.S. citizenship

Acceptable evidence of U.S. citizenship includes:

  • A previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport
  • A certified birth certificate (registrar’s seal and signature) issued by the city, county or state
  • A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth (if born overseas)
  • A Naturalization Certificate (if a naturalized citizen)
  • A Certificate of Citizenship (if born overseas)

Don’t live in the state where you were born? Don’t have a certificated copy of your birth certificate? You can get a certified copy of your birth certificate through vital records from the state you were born or order via a service.

2. Complete Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport (“Form DS-11”)  

You can complete Form DS-11 electronically or download and print in black or blue ink. Form DS-11 can be found here. Basic information such as name, address, social security number, marital status, place and date of birth, previous names used, height, hair color, weight, and parents’ names and places and dates of birth, travel plans, and emergency contact information is required.

3. Provide one passport photo

Your passport photo must meet all the requirements; passport photo requirements can be found here. You can take the photograph yourself or use a professional passport photograph service such as:

Bring your passport photo along with your Form DS-11 in person, do not attach it to the form.

4. Have Identification

Acceptable identification includes:

  • A previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport
  •  Naturalization Certificate (if a naturalized citizen)
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Current Government ID (city, state or federal)
  • Current Military ID (military and dependents)

If you do not have primary identification, you can submit Secondary Identification.  Secondary Identification can be found here.

Additional ID may be required if you submit out-of-state primary identification.

Additional requirements are necessary for gender reassignment applicants.  A list of additional information requirements for gender reassignment applicants can be found here.

5. Make a copy of your identification

The copy must be one-sided on plain white, 8 1/2 x 11 paper and include the front and the back of your ID.

If you are unable to include the front and back of your ID on the same piece of paper you can use two separate pages.

6. Make an appointment 

Appointments are required when applying at a Passport Agency or Center.  A list of passport agencies or centers can be found here.

A list of passport acceptance facilities (post offices, clerks of the court, public libraries or other state, county, township, and municipal government offices) can be found here.

Submit your completed Form DS-1, citizenship documentation, identification, a copy of your ID, and passport photo in person.

7. Pay the applicable fee

Passport fees will vary depending on if you are applying for a new passport or renewing, whether you want a passport book and/or passport card, or just the passport card.

A complete list of passport fees can be found here.

Comment, tweet, or share this post.

Get the best credit card signup bonuses.

Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube

Got a question? Or want help, suggestions, travel tips, learn how to travel for free, find out about travel deals, and maximize your miles and points? Use the subscription box below to sign-up and get post updates by email.

Traveling Well For Less has partnered with Your Best Credit Cards for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and YBCC may receive a commission from card issuers.


Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to get started in the world of miles and points. It is the first card you should get to start traveling for free because the welcome offer is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 5X points on travel when booked through the Chase portal (2X if direct purchase), 3X points on dining, $50 yearly credit on hotels booked through the Chase portal, no foreign transaction fees, and transferring points to 13 airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest.
 

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of my favorite cards for earning cash back card and travel rewards. It offers a welcome offer of an additional 1.5% cash back on all your purchases up to $20,000 your first year.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, 3% cash back at drugstores and restaurants (including delivery and takeout), 1.5% cash back on all other purchases and no annual fee. When paired with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card or Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, you can use your points to travel for free.
 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Marielle Altenor

Friday 17th of February 2017

Really great tips. I've had to renew my passport twice in the last 10 years. I always triple check the requirements before going to the passport office.

Kendall Rayburn

Thursday 16th of February 2017

Great tips! I've never gotten a passport, but I hope to get one (and use it) someday!

Shannon Gurnee

Thursday 16th of February 2017

This is definitely a great list of steps when it comes to getting your passport. Thanks for sharing these. It will be a few years before I have to renew my passport again.

Dogvills

Thursday 16th of February 2017

Getting a passport should be quick and easy once you have the necessary docs like you said. This is a very helful post.

Paige

Wednesday 15th of February 2017

Great tips! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been putting off getting my passport but with several upcoming trips next year I really need to get on the ball.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.