How to Get Your American Passport
YOU MUST GET A PASSPORT
Many of you have reached out, saying you do not have a passport. Without a passport, you are shooting yourself in the foot for getting out of the United States.
The League of Nations helped standardize this process across the world. It is the most valuable piece of identification a person can own.
Only 45-50% of Americans have passports.
The truth is, you won’t be able to show up at a country’s port of entry and claim asylum expecting to be taken in. We must be respectful of other nations and their processes for entry.
I asked Chat to pull together a quick blog about how you get your American passport, check it out below.
Step 1: Figure Out If You're Applying for the First Time
If you’ve never had a U.S. passport or yours expired more than 15 years ago, you’ll need to apply in person. If you’re renewing a still-valid passport or one that expired less than 15 years ago and you were over 16 when it was issued, lucky you—you can renew by mail.
We’ll focus on the first-time process here.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
You’ll need some paperwork. Here’s what to grab:
✅ Proof of U.S. citizenship
This can be a certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a consular report of birth abroad (if you were born outside the U.S.). Make sure it’s the original or a certified copy—not a photocopy.
✅ Government-issued photo ID
Like a driver's license or military ID. Bring the original and a front-and-back photocopy.
✅ Passport photo
You need one 2x2-inch color photo, taken within the last six months. No selfies—go to a pharmacy, post office, or photo shop that offers passport photo services.
✅ Form DS-11
That’s the official passport application form. You can fill it out online and print it, or print it blank and fill it in by hand. Don’t sign it yet—you’ll do that at the passport acceptance facility.
Step 3: Head to a Passport Acceptance Facility
You’ll need to apply in person at a place like a post office, public library, or local government office that handles passports.
Use the U.S. State Department's search tool to find a location near you.
Many places require an appointment—check ahead.
Step 4: Pay the Fees
Here’s the current cost for an adult passport (as of 2025):
💵 Passport book: $130
💵 Execution (processing) fee: $35
💵 Optional expedited service: $60 extra (if you're in a rush)
You can pay by check, money order, or sometimes debit card—depends on the location, so double-check what your acceptance facility takes.
Step 5: Wait (or Rush It If You’re in a Hurry)
Standard processing time is usually 6–8 weeks, but it can vary depending on demand. If you need it faster:
Expedited service cuts it down to 2–3 weeks.
If it’s a real emergency (like a serious illness or a death in the family overseas), you can get an appointment at a passport agency—call the hotline: 1-877-487-2778.