There are two very different passport situations that tend to get lumped together: getting your first U.S. passport and renewing one you already have.

They both end with a passport in your hand, but the process of getting there isn’t the same.

If you’ve never had a U.S. passport before, you’ll generally apply for a new passport using Form DS-11. The same application is used in several other situations, including passports for children and certain cases where an old passport can’t be renewed.

A DS-11 application normally requires you to apply in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility. You’ll need proof of U.S. citizenship, acceptable identification, a passport photo, and the appropriate fees. Your original citizenship evidence is submitted with the application and returned separately.

Renewals are different.

Many adults with a previous passport can renew using Form DS-82, provided the passport and applicant meet the renewal requirements. That means you may not need to go through the same in-person acceptance process required for a new passport.

The part worth paying attention to is timing.

People often start thinking about passports when they book a trip. It’s better to think about the passport before you reach that point, because your actual deadline may be considerably earlier than your departure date.

Some countries require your passport to remain valid for a certain amount of time beyond your planned trip. Airlines and immigration authorities may also check that you meet the destination’s entry requirements before allowing you to travel.

Then there are the situations that don’t fit neatly into “new passport” or “renewal.”

Maybe your passport was lost or stolen. Maybe it went through the washing machine. Maybe your name changed. Maybe you need a passport for your child. Frequent international travelers may have a reason to obtain a second valid U.S. passport.

Those circumstances can change which application you need and what supporting documents have to go with it.

Of course, sometimes there simply isn’t enough time for normal processing.

Texas Tower works with travelers who need expedited U.S. passport services, including new adult passports, renewals, child passports, second passports, name changes, and replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged passports.

The important thing is figuring out which process applies to your situation before paperwork starts moving.

Passport problems have an annoying habit of appearing when somebody is already counting down the days until departure. A little preparation gives you considerably more room to work.

So whether you’re getting your very first passport or looking at the worn blue book you’ve carried around for the last nine years, start with two questions:

Which application do I need?

How much time do I actually have?

Those answers determine most of what comes next.