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You must apply in person if you are applying for your first U.S passport, under the age of 16, your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under the age of 16, your previous passport was lost, stolen or damaged, your previous passport was issued over 15 years ago, or your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change.
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First you must complete for DS-11: Application for A U.S. Passport. All forms can be found on the U.S. Department of State webpage (travel.state.gov). You can apply in person at any acceptance facility or passport agency. Many major post offices now accept passports. You can check the State Department's webpage for an updated list of acceptance facilities. You must bring the form filled out with all supporting documents. Do not sign this application form until you are in front of the passport officer.
Along with the application, you must also submit evidence of U.S. Citizenship. That can be one of the following documents: previously issued U.S. Passport, Certified Birth Certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate or a Certificate of Citizenship. These all must be originals or certified copies (no worries, these documents will be returned along with your new passport).
You also must supply identification to the passport officer. This can be your previously issued passport, naturalization certificate, valid driver's license, current government ID or current military ID. They will not keep this identification - however, please take a copy of this ID. They will not make copies at the office. The photo copy must be on plain white, 8 1/2 x 11 paper and it must show the front and back of your ID.
Be sure to pay the applicable fees. This may vary depending on your situation.
Also, provide two passport photos. Many passport facilities will be able to take these photos on site, however, it will be cheaper to go to a one hour photo facility to have these ready before hand. The photographs must be identical, in color, 2 x 2 inches in size, taken within the past 6 months, full face front views, and taken in normal street attire.
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