Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
To get a passport, you have to appear in person at your local passport issuing office, frequently located in a post office. They will take your picture.
Not so. My most recent passport renewal was done online. There is a
U.S. State Dept. webpage for that. I hung up a white sheet. I stood in front of it and had my wife take my picture. Cropped it so that it fit the required size and so that my head and shoulders filled the required silhouette. I sent the image in digitally along with the completed application and required payment (I think by credit card) and I was good to go. I also purchased a passport card at the same time. It fits in my wallet and is what I use on my tours to Canada so I can leave the passport behind.