You may require a new U.S. passport if:
You have never had a U.S. passport
Your U.S. passport has been expired for more than 5 years
Your U.S. passport has been damaged or mutilated
You were a minor (under age 16) when your U.S. passport was
issued and are now over 16 years of age
There are two main ways of fulfilling your passport needs. One is going through an expediting service
and the other is through the government.
A certified birth certificate must be sent with your application for a New Passport - instead of sending your original certificate, order a certified copy here.