Getting a passport
A step-by-step plan for applying for a passport: choosing the type, submitting documents, photos and pickup without surprises. One question adjusts the list if you're applying for a child.

[ ] Choose the passport type
    A 10-year biometric passport costs more and takes longer to process but needs renewing less often. A shorter-validity passport is cheaper and quicker to get if you travel rarely — check what your country offers.
[ ] Check your current passport's validity
    Many countries require 3–6 months of validity beyond your trip dates. Check the expiry date early and plan the renewal with a buffer, not at the last minute.
[ ] Submit your application online
    Submitting through your local government portal usually means no queues and sometimes a lower fee for online payment. Check your government's website for the current process.
[ ] Pay the passport fee
    The fee depends on passport type and applicant's age, and amounts change over time — check the current fee on your government portal before paying.
[ ] Get your photo taken to spec
    Photo requirements (background, size, no smiling or glasses) are strict, and a mismatch can delay your application. A photo studio near the application office usually knows the exact current specs.
[ ] Book your appointment
    Book your appointment ahead of time — convenient slots fill up fast, especially before peak travel season.
[ ] Gather the required documents
    The full list depends on passport type and your situation (name changes, prior passports, etc.) — check your government portal's checklist right before applying, since requirements do get updated.
[ ] Factor in processing time
    Processing time varies by where and how you apply — expedited options exist but cost more. Build in a buffer and avoid applying right before your departure date.
[ ] Decide what to do with your old passport
    If your old passport has valid visas in it, ask whether you can keep it back (cancelled) alongside the new one — some countries still accept an old visa with a valid new passport.
[ ] Check every detail on the spot when you collect it
    Check your name, date of birth, number and expiry date before you leave the counter. A typo caught on the spot gets fixed for free — caught later, it usually means a whole new application and fee.
[ ] Track the application status
    Status is usually visible in your online account — no need to call or show up in person, just check back every few days.
[ ] Save a photo of the new passport to the cloud
    Photograph the data page and save it to cloud storage. It's a lifesaver if the passport gets lost on a trip or you need the details without the physical document.
[ ] Get the child their own passport
    A child can no longer be added to a parent's passport — they need their own document, at any age.
[ ] Apply with the child's birth certificate
    A parent submits the application with their own passport plus the child's birth certificate — bring the original, not a copy.
[ ] Check whether the child needs to be present
    For a biometric passport the child's presence is usually required in person — confirm this ahead of time so you don't make a wasted trip.
[ ] Take the child's photo in advance
    A compliant photo (no smiling, looking straight ahead) is a challenge with a small child. Taking it at home, calm and with several tries, is often faster than a photo studio.
[ ] Think about which passport type suits the child
    For young children, a shorter-validity passport can make more sense than a 10-year one: kids change in appearance faster than a decade, and a cheaper document is less painful to renew.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/passport-renewal