The Cheapskate’s Guide to Getting Your First Passport
The first step toward an international trip is obtaining your passport. If this is your first time applying, this guide walks you through the process in a straightforward, cost-conscious way so you avoid unnecessary fees, long waits, and last-minute stress.
Plan to file at least two months in advance
Don’t wait until the last minute. Routine passport processing typically takes 6–8 weeks, and expedited processing through the State Department takes about 3–4 weeks with an additional fee (listed below as of 2019). Passport agencies can issue documents faster in urgent situations—sometimes within a week—but they require proof of travel and are reserved for emergencies. To keep costs low and avoid stress, submit your completed application well before travel plans begin to firm up. Holiday periods and peak travel seasons bring heavier demand, so earlier is better.
Typical processing times:
- Routine: about 6–8 weeks
- Expedited (State Department): about 3–4 weeks plus an additional fee (see fee notes)
- Agency appointments for emergencies: possible within business days based on need and availability
Ignore private passport expediting services unless you truly need them
Private expediting companies advertise fast turnaround but charge high premiums for a service that the government already provides in urgent cases. These services are mainly for travelers who can’t plan ahead or those facing genuine emergencies. If you plan in advance and use official channels, you rarely need a private expeditor.
Find your nearest passport acceptance facility early—many post offices, libraries, and county offices serve as acceptance centers. In busy areas you may need an appointment, so call or check availability ahead of time.
Passport Book or Passport Card?
If you expect to fly internationally, choose the passport book. The passport card is a lower-cost, wallet-sized alternative designed only for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. The card is not valid for international air travel, so the passport book is the safer choice for most first-time applicants.
Take your own photos
Passport photos don’t need to be expensive. Modern smartphones can produce acceptable images if you follow the State Department’s photo requirements. Essential points:
- One color photo printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
- 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) in size
- Head size from chin to crown between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm)
- Plain white or off-white background
- Neutral expression or natural smile, facing forward
- No glasses—remove them even if you wear them normally
- Normal clothing (no uniforms or costumes)
If you’re unsure whether your photo meets the rules, the U.S. State Department provides online tools to check and crop images. If you don’t have access to a photo printer, many convenience stores or retail photo services will print a compliant passport photo for a few dollars.
Gather required documents now
To apply you will need a valid photo ID (such as a state driver’s license), a completed application form, one compliant passport photo, and an original long-form birth certificate that proves U.S. citizenship. Photocopies of birth certificates will be rejected. If you don’t have your birth certificate, many states allow you to order a certified copy online for a modest fee; allow time for mail processing.
If you have updated your gender designation, passport validity and documentation requirements can vary depending on where you are in the process—check current guidance from the State Department to confirm what to submit.
Payment: government passport fees must be paid by check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State (acceptable forms include personal, certified, or cashier’s checks, and money orders). Keep in mind the government fee covers the passport itself, which typically lasts for nearly a decade for adults.
Current fee information and minor considerations
The fee table and detailed rate breakdown are maintained by the U.S. State Department and may change over time. The article’s image below shows sample rates as of 2019; always verify current fees on the official State Department site before applying.
For minors, both parents generally must provide consent. If parents are divorced, the non-applying parent’s signed consent may be required; check the official requirements for documentation to avoid delays.
Complete the passport application online through the U.S. State Department’s passport application portal, print the form, and bring it to an acceptance facility when you apply. Use the State Department’s passport acceptance facility search tool to find a location near you, and check your passport application status on the State Department’s passport status page.
Getting organized for your first passport makes the rest of trip planning easier. Once you have your passport in hand, you’ll be free to book flights, choose destinations, and look forward to the journey ahead.
