Other things you'll need in order to apply are:

The forms you will need to fill out in order to replace, renew or acquire a passport for the first time are available at many US post offices, federal courthouses, county clerk's offices, federal buildings, or other government center. Check your telephone directory governmental listing under "United States Government, Passport" for the office nearest you. (If you cannot find the information in the directory and a telephone operator does not know the answer call the Federal Information Center at (800-688-9889.)

First-Time Application: Fill out Form DSP-11. If you are eighteen or older, bring this form and:

• a certified birth certificate
• a valid driver's license with your picture
• two identical passport photographs (taken within six months of the date of your application, 2"x2", in color or black&white)
• $65 ($40 for children under 18), to the post office or the office which that office directed you). They will accept your application and mail your passport to you.

For children under 18: in addition to Form DSP-11, you'll need:

• a certified birth certificate
• two passport photographs (which are subject to the same requirements as adults')
• $40

• your old passport
• two passport photographs
• $55 to the address indicated on the form.

This procedures applies even if your passport has expired, so long as it expired not more than two years ago. If it expired more thatn two years ago, you must follow the same procedure as you would in applying for a first-time passport.

Rush procedures are available but cost more. The time that both rush and normal procedures take varies from city to city.

Special note from experience: Since I was born in Germany to American parents, I had to get copies of both my parents birth certificates proving they were US citizens as well as my father's naval retirement papers.