United States Passport Identification Requirements

• Bring photocopies of your primary or secondary identification information to the passport agency. Steve Wisbauer/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  Applying for a United States passport falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. State Department, which both requires solid proof of identification and evidence of U.S. citizenship. The following documents must be submitted along with the passport application, in addition to other eligibility requirements. Having all documents prepared will help to simplify and streamline the application process.

Primary or Secondary Identification

• The U.S. State Department has organized proof of identification into two types: primary and secondary. Primary includes documents that provide definitive proof and stand alone, whereas secondary documents are included as a collective.

Primary Identification

• Primary identification includes one of five items: a previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport; a naturalization certificate; a valid driver's license; current government ID (city, state or federal); and a current military ID (military and dependents).

Secondary Identification

• If you cannot submit one of the primary identification documents, as much secondary information as possible must be submitted. These documents are not acceptable as identification when presented alone. Acceptable documents include a Social Security card, a credit card, an employee ID and a library card. In addition to these documents, an identifying witness can also be used, and he or she must be present at the time of the passport application.

Document Photocopies

• Both primary and secondary identification documents must be photocopied front and back before being brought to the application location. These photocopies must be on white 8.5-inch-by-11-inch paper.