Enrichment · Life Skills

Walk in with
every document.

Most government applications are turned away for small things: a photocopy instead of a certified birth certificate, a name that changed, a photo with glasses, the wrong form of payment. List what your application needs, mark what is in hand, and see what is still missing before the appointment.

Start an applicationWhat you get

Your applications

The worked example is made up: a first passport with the photo and one photocopy still to get, and a REAL ID missing a second proof of address. Saved on this device only.

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What you get

Enrichment · Life SkillsFree

What you finish with
A record per application: the kind, for whom, the appointment date, the fees, every document with whether it must be an original, a photocopy, a form, a photo or a payment and whether it is in hand, and six common checks. Counts documents in hand and days to the appointment; flags what that application usually needs, what is missing close to the date and names that differ across documents.
Who it is for
Adults, young adults applying for their first passport or ID, and parents handling applications for their children.
Format
Browser checklist with a saved record per application. Prints one application’s list to bring along, every application in a table or a blank sheet; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Life Skills space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Choose the application.
  2. Read the agency’s own list and add each document.
  3. Mark what is in hand.
  4. Run the six checks, names first.
  5. Print the list and bring it.

Start an application

What they ask for

What the common applications ask forApplicationIdentityAlso bringFirst passportlicense or ID, plus a copybirth certificate and a copyPassport renewalyour last passportphoto, Form DS-82Child’s passportparents’ IDs and copiesboth parents or consentREAL IDpassport or birth certificateSSN proof, two addressesSocial Security cardlicense or passportcitizenship if neededWhat the common applications ask forFirst passportIdentity: license or ID, plus a copyAlso bring: birth certificate and a copyPassport renewalIdentity: your last passportAlso bring: photo, Form DS-82Child’s passportIdentity: parents’ IDs and copiesAlso bring: both parents or consentREAL IDIdentity: passport or birth certificateAlso bring: SSN proof, two addressesSocial Security cardIdentity: license or passportAlso bring: citizenship if needed
General lists for U.S. applications as of 2026. The agency’s own page has the full list and the current fees; check it before you go.

Originals and copies

“Certified copy” means one issued by the vital records office with its seal, not a photocopy you made. Passport applications ask for the original and a photocopy of the front and back on plain paper; the originals come back to you.

Watch for look-alike sites

Passport, Social Security and many state services are free to look up, and some are free to request. Use the agency’s own .gov site; paid sites that “help” only add fees.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of State. Apply for a passport in person, Renew by mail and Passport fees (travel.state.gov).
  2. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. REAL ID requirements, enforced from May 7, 2025 (dhs.gov/real-id).
  3. Social Security Administration. Replace a Social Security card (ssa.gov).
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Where to write for vital records (cdc.gov/nchs).

The worked examples are made up. Requirements and fees change and some differ by state; the agency’s own page decides. This page keeps your list and is not affiliated with any agency. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.