First of all, it's important you know that not all post office locations accept passport applications. So before you do anything else, visit the Where to Apply page on the Department of State's website. There, you'll be able to find the facility (postal or non-postal) most convenient for you.Edit: The fees are established by the Department of State, and will be the same wherever you go. Current fees can be found here: Passport Fees. Please note that this list of fees does not include the cost of passport photos, which will depend on where/how you acquire them.Once you've located the most convenient location to apply (and, if necessary, set an appointment), you'll need to bring the following items with you:Proof of citizenship. This is usually a birth certificate (original or certified copy), naturalization certificate, or a previously-issued U.S. passport.Government-issued photo identification. Most people who come to my office just use a driver's license. Some use military ID cards.One passport-sized photo. Many acceptance facilities offer this service on-site. You can also purchase passport photos at a number of retail locations. The requirements for passport photos are very specific, and can be found here: Photo RequirementsPayment. Personal checks or money orders are almost always required for the fees to the Department of State. There will also be a separate execution fee paid to the location where you submit your application. Check with the facility before you go to find out what forms of payment they accept. Fees can be found here: FeesNot necessary, but very helpful - a completed application. You can download form DS-11 here: http://www.state.gov/documents/o... - be sure to use black ink! All passport application acceptance facilities are also required to have blank forms on hand, so if you are unable to print one out in advance, you can fill it out there.You are not required to complete the application in front of an authorized acceptance agent. You only need to sign it in front of them. So please, do yourself and your local acceptance agent a favor, and fill that application out in advance. My office accepts applications by appointment, and it's really annoying when people are unprepared, and take up their time and that of the next person because they have to call a dozen relatives to find an emergency contact, or to determine a parent's place and date of birth.