How to Apply for a Passport
Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport; processing normally takes three weeks, but it can take longer during busy periods (especially spring). If you're applying for a first-time passport, follow these steps: To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department passport Web site or call the National Passport Information Center (877-487-2778) for automated information. Also expect to present acceptable identification at time of application. Bring along your driver's license, state or military ID, or Social Security card. Lots of different businesses offer passport picture-taking services. In the United States, some post office branches and many photo centers within drugstore chains charge nominal fees to take your picture and process your passport photos. You can't use a strip from a photo-vending machine because the pictures aren't identical. You may submit digital photos that have been printed on your printer at home, but they must meet the same requirements for all passport photographs. In addition, the digital photographs must have a continuous-tone image that looks very photo-like; grainy-looking photos composed of visible dots are not acceptable. If you have a passport in your current name that was issued within the past 15 years and you were older than 16 when it was issued, you can renew the passport by mail for $75. Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you can download passport applications from the U.S. State Department passport Web site.
