# US Passports for Dummies

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passports-for-dummies/280925>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 21, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passports-for-dummies/280925 "2004-12-21T04:27:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passports-for-dummies/280925/1 "2004-12-21T04:27:10Z")

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I need to get a passport, and I’m completely unfamiliar with the process.

I imagine that this requires a birth certificate that establishes that I am a U.S. citizen. While I was raised in Texas, I was actually born in Salt Lake City, Utah.

So, then, I suppose I must establish communication with whomever records births in that locale and request a somehow certified copy of my birth certificate. Who would that be?

Then I must transport this information to…, who?

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**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passports-for-dummies/280925/2 "2004-12-21T04:39:27Z")

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[This site](http://travel.state.gov/passport/) should answer your questions.

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passports-for-dummies/280925/3 "2004-12-21T04:48:26Z")

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I think that has all that I need. Thanks, **Ace309**.

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**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passports-for-dummies/280925/4 "2004-12-21T12:49:52Z")

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It’s really very easy. I was born in Mississippi, but got my passport in Coonecticut so that’s not a problem. First I went to the nearest AAA and got my picture taken – they’ll do it even if you’re not a member, it only cost a few bucks. I went online, found the nearest Post Office with a passport office, went down there with my birth certificate and ID, and filled out the paperwork. I think altogether it cost $60. A few weeks later I got my passport in the mail, along with my birth certificate.