Process for Applying for Your US Passport

---

You will need these five things: photo, application, $140, ID, and birth certificate.

---

1. Photo

You will need a 2" x 2" passport photo, a photo of you against a white background, not smiling, and hair out of your face. My photo from my introduceyourself post is the one I took of myself specifically for this purpose. You can upload your photo using free online software. (I used epassportphoto.com, but there are MANY others.) Save it and print it at Walmart, Rite Aid, CVS, or any place that prints photos, or for $1, you can have it sent out to one of those places and pick it up. Or, if you go to a post office with a passport station, they will take a photo of you for about an extra $25! ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿

If you use epassportphoto.com, your 4 x 6 photo will actually contain FOUR passport photos. This is a GOOD thing because it's recommended to keep extra passport photos in case something happens and you need to replace your passport book. You can then carefully cut them out with scissors. The person processing your passport will staple the photo onto your application. I love this site because it's easy to use and will help you line up your face so it's in perfect compliance with government requirements.
The format will look like this:

2. Application

You will need to fill out the application. It will ask you for your parent's dates and places of birth, and the rest will be your date of birth, address and a bunch of stuff you'll probably know off the top of your head.
The application looks like this:

Some larger post offices have a passport section, but you can also apply at your town office. Call for their hours because the person handling the passports may work limited hours and may not hold the same hours as the town office or post office.

3. & 4. Birth Certificate and Photo ID

You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate and your photo ID/driver's license.

5. Payment

You will need a check or money order (no cash or credit cards) made out to the "Secretary of State" in the amount of $110. This is for the passport book received in 4-6 weeks. (There is an expedited option which costs roughly $50 extra to receive it in about 2 weeks). If you don't have a checkbook, a postal money order, purchased from the post office, costs about $1.60. Additionally, you will pay the issuer a $25 service fee. This fee CAN be in cash and will be paid to the place of application. Think of it as a handling fee. *NOTE: I applied on March 30th and received it April 13th, meaning I received it in 15 days and I DID NOT purchase the expedited option. So, you may get yours MUCH sooner than the stated 4-6 weeks!

Your passport is good for ten years (everyone 16 and older, younger than that it's good for only five years).

And, finally... get a SNEEK PEEK to see what you can expect to receive!!!