If you have dreams about taking that dream vacation abroad, one of your first steps should be to get a passport. Need to know how to get a passport for that dream vacation? With some preparation and a little effort, the process should not be too frustrating or complicated.

You can download a passport application from the United States State Department website. You can also obtain one from a local post office. The form you are obtaining is a DS-11. When filling it out, read the directions and follow them properly and exactly. Make certain to have the completed form with you when applying for the passport.

You will then need to gather together some proof of United States citizenship. You should get your certified birth certificate issued by the city or county where you were born. This is the best proof of citizenship.

If you have any hassles obtaining a certified copy of your birth certificate, you will have additional issues when applying for your passport. A letter of no record from the state in which you were born is important to obtain. This letter verifies that there is not a birth certificate on file with the state for you. A variety of records can help prove you are a citizen. Some of these records include records of pre-natal doctor care, baptismal records, hospital birth certificate and early school records. A blood relative, such as an uncle or aunt can sign an affidavit of birth form. This form must be signed by a notary to make it official.

If you were born in a foreign nation to one or two United States parents, you need to get a foreign certificate of birth. It would help to also get proof of U.S. Citizenship for your parents. Your parents can also sign an affidavit which lists the places they have resided for different time periods prior to and after your birth. The next step to take in getting a new passport is to prove your identity. This can be proven by bringing with you an old passport, a valid state drivers license, a government ID card, or a military ID card.

The next procedure is to have two photos taken. The photos should be taken in normal clothing. You should leave your head bare and not wear a hat. Also, uniforms should not be worn. Check the Internet or the yellow pages for merchants that do passport photos. These photos should be full face, 2 x 2 size and identical. Most merchants understand the proper requirements, but make certain you are familiar with the requirements also. You do not want the photos taken improperly as this will lengthen the time it takes to receive your passport.

You should also have your social security number. Find out the application fees and any surcharges so you know in advance the total cost. Once you have all this you should be ready to get a new passport.

There are approximately 7000 passport acceptance facilities across the nation. They include county and municipal offices, county courts, post offices, and some public libraries. Make sure all your paperwork is in order before you go as this will help things move along smoothly. Your new passport should arrive at your home sometime in two months or less. If you are in a rush, and want to know how to get a passport, here's a secret: money! You can shell out $60 or more and the government will send it out as a rush. With your new passport in hand, you will be ready to set sail, or take a plane to new and exciting foreign lands!