If you desire to travel outside of the country you will need a passport. A passport is government issued legal documentation that verifies your citizenship. In most cases a passport will contain a photograph, your personal information and numerous blank pages that are intended for stamps that grant your access to a foreign country. The process of applying for a passport is relatively easy, but there are several steps you will need to take.

Applying for a passport involves having your personal records on hand in order to prove who you are. These documents include a state issued Identification card (ID) or a drivers license, and your birth certificate. Without these documents you will be unable to process the necessary paper work.

If you are missing a copy of your birth certificate, you will need to get one. This can be done by contacting the Office of Vital Records for the county you were born in. You can do this in person, over the Internet, or via the phone.

As soon as you have your birth certificate you can apply for your passport. It is possible to apply online, but only if you have done so before. If you have not applied before, you will need to apply in person.

When applying online you simply need to access the website for the U. S. State Department. When applying online it is a good idea to refrain from signing the application until it has been approved. Doing otherwise could result in someone else accessing your passport.

Applying for a passport can be done at the post office or at the county clerk's office. Do not forget to bring the necessary identification mentioned above. This should also include a passport photo, which can be obtained at a number of locations. Any place that develops film will typically offer passport photos.

When you have arrived at you passport issuing agency, then you will need to present your documentation and your photos. A passport agent will review this material. When the passport has been approved, you can then pay the passport fee. You will receive your passport via the mail.

This process may take up to six months, from applying to receiving it in the mail. Considering how long this process can be, you should start the procedure well in advance of your planned trip. If for some reason you need to have this returned quickly, you can pay an expediting fee, which should reduce the waiting time considerably.

Should it be necessary, you can speed up the process by contacting your Congressional representative’s office and explain the situation when applying for a U S passport. They will help you expedite the process in many cases. Once you have your passport, you will not need to renew it for 15 years. At the end of the 15 years you don’t have to go back through applying for a passport. You will find renewing a U.S. passport by mail is simple.