As an American citizen, obtaining a passport is a simple process that allows you to travel internationally and serves as a government-issued form of identification. Here are the steps you need to take to get an American passport:
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Determine your eligibility: In order to obtain a passport, you must be a U.S. citizen. If you were not born in the United States, you may still be eligible if you obtained citizenship through naturalization. You can check your eligibility by visiting the State Department's website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/eligibility.html.
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Gather necessary documents: To apply for a passport, you will need to provide proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity. This may include a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous U.S. passport. You will also need a recent photo of yourself that meets the passport photo requirements. You can find a full list of required documents on the State Department's website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/documents-required.html.
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Fill out the passport application: You can fill out the passport application online or print it out and complete it by hand. Be sure to answer all the questions accurately and provide all the required information. You can find the passport application on the State Department's website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/forms.html.
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Submit the application and supporting documents: Once you have completed the application and gathered all the necessary documents, you will need to submit them in person at a passport acceptance facility. You can find a facility near you by using the State Department's online Passport Acceptance Facility Search page at https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.
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Pay the fees: There are fees associated with obtaining a passport, including an application fee and a fee for the passport itself. You can pay these fees with a check or money order, credit card, or debit card. You can find the current fee schedule on the State Department's website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/fees.html.
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Wait for processing: Once you have submitted your application and fees, it will take several weeks for your passport to be processed. You can check the status of your application on the State Department's website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/check-status.html.
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Receive your passport: Once your passport is processed, it will be mailed to you. Be sure to keep it in a safe place
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