| There is a different online passport application for | | | | or military ID may be substituted. |
| those applying for their initial passport than for | | | | If the applicant does not have one of these |
| those renewing a passport. A person applying for | | | | forms of identification, secondary identification will |
| an initial passport completes the DS-11 Application | | | | be accepted. A combination of signature |
| for a U.S. Passport. Someone who is renewing a | | | | documents may be provided including a social |
| passport may renew via mail if certain | | | | security card, credit card, employee identification |
| requirements are met. In this case, the person will | | | | card, and a library card. An identifying witness |
| complete Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. | | | | who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and |
| Passport by Mail. The application may be | | | | has known the applicant for at least two years |
| downloaded from the U.S. Department of State | | | | may accompany the applicant and serve as |
| or private passport processing company web | | | | secondary proof of identity. The applicant is |
| sites. | | | | encouraged to submit as much secondary |
| These web sites offer the application form for | | | | identification as possible because these applicants |
| download and printing by the public. Though it may | | | | are handled on a case-by-case basis. |
| be completed online, the form may not be | | | | The private service providers and the |
| submitted online. The reason for this is that the | | | | government list all of this information on their |
| application must be hand-signed and additional | | | | Web sites. There is a wealth of detail on these |
| documents must be provided in hard copy | | | | sites, so read through everything carefully. The |
| format. | | | | web sites also contain information regarding the |
| The supporting documentation provided with a | | | | various government fees and additional charges |
| passport application is intended to verify the | | | | established by the service providers. Different |
| applicant's identity. They include evidence of U.S. | | | | providers charge different fees, so some |
| citizenship and present identification. A birth | | | | research will be required in order to obtain the |
| certificate will fulfill the first category and a | | | | best deal. |
| driver's license will fulfill the second. | | | | The applicant should then make an in-person visit |
| The birth certificate must be a certified version | | | | to the post office or passport agency for |
| containing the registrar's seal, signature, and date | | | | application verification, if required, and then |
| the certificate was filed with the registrar's office. | | | | package all documents and sent them off for |
| The birth certificate may be issued by the city, | | | | processing. The package should include two |
| county, or state of birth. The driver's license must | | | | photos that will be used in the new passport. |
| still be valid and must be submitted in person by | | | | These photos must adhere to certain |
| the first-time applicant. A copy of the driver's | | | | specifications, so check the provider or |
| license must also be provided. Should the applicant | | | | government Web site for guidance. |
| not have a driver's license, a current government | | | | |