Getting a U.S. Passport in the Treasure Valley

I'm heading abroad and need a passport! Here's what you need to know to get one too!

Last year I became a U.S. citizen (after a weird ride - CLICK HERE to read about my bizarre experience) and now I've reached a new milestone in my journey....getting my very first U.S. Passport!!

If you're heading abroad this summer and need to get one too, I did all the research for ya.

Here's what you need in order to get your first U.S. Passport:

1. DS-11 Form - This is the actual application for the passport

Fill it out ONLY in black ink, and if you screw up...start over. I used white out on mine and I had to start over at my appointment.
CLICK HERE to print out the form

2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship:

Birth Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship through Naturalization

3. Proof of Identity:

Previous or current U.S. passport book; previous or current
U.S. passport card
driver's license (not temporary or learner's license)
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
military identification; or federal, state, or municipal government employee identification card

4. Recent Color Photographs:

Sufficiently recent to be a good likeness of you (taken within the last six months), and 2x2 inches in size. The image size measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair) should not be less than 1 inch, and not more than 1 3/8 inches.
The photograph must be color, clear, with a full front view of your face, and printed on photo quality paper with a plain light (white or off-white) background. The photograph must be taken in normal street attire, without a hat, head
covering, or dark glasses unless a signed statement is submitted by the applicant verifying the item is worn daily for religious purposes or a signed doctor's statement is submitted verifying the item is used daily for medical purposes.
Headphones,"bluetooth", or similar devices must not be worn in the passport photograph. Any photograph retouched so that your appearance is changed is unacceptable. A snapshot, most vending machine prints, and magazine or full-length photographs are unacceptable.

5. Fees - You'll need two separate checks, money, orders, or credit/debit card transactions.

Application fee - $110 - This payment needs to be made out to "U.S. Department of State"
Acceptance fee - $25 - This payment will be made out to the acceptance facility you go to.
Photos - $15 - You can go to Walgreens to get your pics, or if you forget them like me, you can take them at the acceptance facility. Mine charged $15....bummer.
Expedited Service Fee - $60 - This fee will get your passport application processed faster than the standard 6 weeks.
Overnight delivery - $20.66 - This will allow your passport to be sent overnight after it has been processed.

6. Appointment at Acceptance Facility - For first-time passport applicants, we have to deliver all of the above in person. In most cases you need an appointment. I recommend calling them A.S.A.P. because I had to wait a week for my appointment. Here are some around the Treasure Valley: