In order to travel outside of the country you reside in, you must have the proper documentation to get you across the borders. If you have never left the country you were born in, it is important to get proof that you are a citizen and that you are able to leave it legally. It is very easy to get your first time new passport, all you have to do is follow these simple guidelines.

To prepare for the application process, you must complete a US passport office form that is easily obtainable by downloading it from the internet. Fill it out before you arrive to submit it, but do not sign it until you actually get to the offices. It is a requirement that you sign this there, in person.

There are a few items that you will have to bring with you to prove that you are legally a citizen of your country. This usually means having a certified copy of your record of birth. There are also other means to prove this if you do not have your birth record available. At any rate, you have to prove your citizenship, no matter what.

When you submit your application, you will have to provide a valid photo ID to prove who you are. Most of the time, a drivers license will do the trick but it would be a good idea to check first to make sure. There are other forms of ID that you can bring with you, and the application will list different options.

As part of the application process, the next step is to have the photo that will go onto your passport taken. You can go to places that specialize in photography, such as studios and stores that sell cameras. You will have to have a current picture not older than a half a year. This is because they have to look like you as you are right now. If you wear glasses on a regular basis, then you should wear them in your photo. It is advised that you wear regular clothing and refrain from wearing anything on your head.

Two photos are taken and are identical. They must be taken in color and they have to be of a certain dimension and size. The background of the photo must be white or an off white color. You should not strike a pose in these photos as they have to be natural, no smiling and looking directly at the camera.

When all the information you need is gathered, you will now bring it to a passport agency office. The price you will have to pay will depend on how quickly you need it to come back to you. If you do need it fast, it will end up being more expensive. You will also have to go to a different office in order to get it expedited.

Being a first time US passport applicant is not a hard thing to get through. All it takes is a bit of legwork and a little bit of patience. If you have questions about what you need or the process itself, there are more than a few websites available to help you. The U.S. passport office forms that you need can also be obtained online, at your local post office, or from the processing center.