I first learned that I would need a passport when I booked a cruise with my family a few years ago. I didn’t realize the process was going to be so lengthy and time consuming. I thought I would share the seven steps here in case you end up needing one at some point.

1. Complete Form DS-11: This is your application to request a passport. You can complete this form after printing it out on your home computer. The important thing is that you don’t sign it. This will be done later.

2. Submit the DS-11 Form: You must take the completed form to a government agency that accepts them. Many post offices offer this service, but not all of them. It is in front of this agent that you must sign your form.

3. Provide the clerk with proof of your citizenship: In order to get your passport, you must submit evidence that you are, in fact, a U.S. citizen. Accepted documents include a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.

4. Provide the clerk with proper identification: You must be able to prove that you are who you say you are to the clerk. You can use your driver’s license, military ID, government ID, or a naturalization certificate to do this.

5. Photocopy all of your documents: Although you must present your original documents in person, you must also bring a copy of these documents for the clerk to submit with your application. In some cases they will take your originals and mail them back to you.

6. Bring the Application Fee: The clerk will require you to pay the passport application fee in total before he will accept your application. Fees change so make sure you inquire as to the amount before you head to the office.

7. Submit a passport photo: Each passport requires a photo. You can take one yourself if you follow all of the rules exactly, but I had mine professionally done at a Walgreens and it still was not accepted by the clerk who took my application. Fortunately, the clerk offered the photo service so I could get it done right then, but I had to pay for the photo a second time.

Keep in mind that once your application is submitted, it can take weeks and even months to receive your passport. Plan far ahead of your vacation to get this done.