Guide to Getting a Passport in Harrison, AR: Forms, Fees & Facilities

Getting a Passport in Harrison, AR

Nestled in rural Boone County, Harrison serves as the primary passport hub for North Arkansas residents eyeing Mexico business travel, spring Europe getaways, summer family vacations, winter Florida escapes, or student abroad programs. Local demand spikes during spring break, July 4th, and holiday rushes—slots at the Harrison Post Office and Boone County Clerk book up 4-6 weeks ahead. Watch for photo rejects (wrong sizing/shadows), incomplete DS-3053 consents for kids, DS-11/DS-82 confusion, and assuming walk-ins during peaks. This guide draws from State Department guidelines with Boone County tweaks: checklists, timelines, rural drive tips, and facility insights for first-timers or renewals.[1][2]

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick DS-11 or DS-82 early to skip resubmits—use the State Department's online wizard.[8] In Harrison's limited setup, mail renewals suit eligible adults; everything else means a drive-in appointment.

• DS-11 (New/First-Time/Replacement/Child): No prior passport, one expired over 15 years/lost/stolen/damaged, under 16, or major name change. Unsigned until staff witnesses.[4][14]

• DS-82 (Renewal by Mail): Valid undamaged passport issued at 16+ within last 15 years, received within 5 years. Mail works reliably for Harrison's remote spots; online renewals expanding but not yet rural-proof.[5]

Quick Decision Table:

Need speed? Add $60 expedite (2-3 weeks routine, longer in AR peaks); Little Rock Passport Agency for 1-2 day urgent (itinerary required).[9]

Required Documents and Eligibility Checklist

Originals required; photocopies on plain 8.5x11" white paper (front/back same sheet for dual-sided docs). Boone County birth certs? Order long-form via AR Vital Records (8-10 weeks standard).[10]

Adult DS-11

• U.S. citizenship evidence + photocopy (enhanced birth cert ideal for AR).
• Photo ID + photocopy (AR driver's license standard).
• Unsigned DS-11.
• One 2x2" photo.
• Fees (two payments).
• Name change extras if applicable.[11][12][17]

Child Under 16 (DS-11)

Always in-person with child. Both parents/guardians: attend together (simplest) or send notarized DS-3053 from absent one.

• Parental Consent: Both present, or DS-3053 notarized by missing parent. Rural tip: Notaries at Harrison banks, UPS, or libraries; print extras from travel.state.gov. Reject risk: Unsigned/no notary stamp—get court order if uncooperative parent.
• Birth Cert: Original/certified U.S. version naming both parents (AR long-form specifies this). Reject risk: Short forms or foreign certs sans translation/CRBA.
• Parents' IDs: Originals + photocopies (one page per). Tip: AR DL works; match photo rules.
• Photos: One per child (specs below). Harrison note: Kid-friendly spots avoid smiles/toys.

DS-82 Renewal

• Current passport.
• New photo.
• Single fee check.[20]

Rejection Busters: Triple-check minor consents/photos; no staples/whitEOUT; test photocopy clarity.[21]

Step-by-Step Application Process

Routine processing: 6-8 weeks (add 1-2 for Boone peaks/weather); expedite: 2-3 weeks. Track online after 7-10 days.[22][31] Rural factor: 20-45 min drives to backups; check ARDOT for Hwy 65/7 snow/ice.

1. Fill Forms: Download DS-11/DS-82; black ink, full names, no nicknames.[23]
2. Photos: Meet specs; use State validator tool.[35]
3. Gather Docs: Per checklist; VitalChek rush birth certs ($20+).[42]
4. Book Facility: Harrison Post Office or Boone Clerk (details below); call ahead—no walk-ins in peaks. What to Expect: 15-30 min slot. Staff verifies docs line-by-line, you sign DS-11, swear oath, pay execution fee ($35, card/cash varies). Crowds peak 10am-2pm; arrive early with extras.[25][26]
5. Submit & Pay: Execution to facility; application check to "U.S. Department of State." No cash to State.[28]
6. Service Options:

   Service	Add'l Fee	Timeline	Harrison Note
   Routine	$0	6-8 wks	+1-2 wks summer
   Expedited	$60	2-3 wks	Proof for <3 wks
   1-2 Week Urgent	Varies	Days	Little Rock only
   1-2 Day Delivery	$21.36	Post-process	Reliable to AR

7. Track & Pickup: Alerts at passportstatus.state.gov; undelivered? 1-877-487-2778.[32]

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

Photos cause 25% rejections.[33] Specs: 2x2", <6 months old, 1-1⅜" head size, white/cream background, neutral expression, no glasses/selfies/uniforms/shadows/glare. Matte paper only.

Boone County Traps: Fluorescent store lights cast shadows; measure head with ruler app. Kids: Plain backdrop, no pacifiers.

Local Options:

• Harrison Post Office (during appt).[36]
• CVS/Walgreens on Hwy 65 N ($15, quick service).[36]

Validate with State's photo tool first.[35]

Fees Breakdown

Pay execution at facility (ask card policy); State fee by check/money order.[37] Passport card alternative: $30 app/$65 execution (land/sea Mexico/Canada only).[45]

Special Considerations for Arkansas Residents

Harrison's rural vibe means slim local options—plan backups 20-45 min out. Spring (Europe/students) and summer (Mexico) crush availability; book 4-6 weeks early. Winter: Factor icy Hwy 65 drives. Business urgent? Little Rock (3 hrs) demands itinerary. Kids/exchanges: DS-3053 scrutiny high—practice notary run. AR birth cert delays common; VitalChek now.[38][45]

Passport Facilities and Nearby Locations in and Around Harrison

Prioritize Harrison for convenience; overflow to north on US-65. All handle DS-11 oaths/docs but ship to agencies. Verify via iafdb.travel.state.gov; book Mon-Fri, avoid peak hours. Map below pins Harrison sites + Mountain Home backups.

Primary in Harrison:

• Harrison Post Office: 324 Highway 65 N, Harrison, AR 72601. (870) 741-3515.[25][43]
• Boone County Clerk: 100 N Main St, Harrison, AR 72601. (870) 741-5563.[26]

Nearby Backups (20-45 min):

• Mountain Home Post Office: Key overflow ~30 min north; search iafdb.travel.state.gov for exact address/appts—handles Boone County volume.[27]
• Baxter County Clerk (Mountain Home): Clerk-led; call county office for passport slots.[27]
• Flippin Post Office: ~20 min east; rural alternate if Harrison booked—confirm via USPS locator.[27]

Pro Tip: Early mornings beat lines; bring doc/photo duplicates. Map integrates pins for quick routing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Child passport without both parents? DS-3053 notarized or court custody docs.[39]
Expedite during AR summer rush? Targets 2-3 weeks, but demand adds time—apply ASAP.[40]
Renew 10-year expired? No, DS-11 required.[41]
Lost AR birth cert? VitalChek or Health Dept ($20+ rush).[42]
Harrison Post Office walk-ins? Rare in peaks; call first.[43]
Status check? After 7 days at passportstatus.state.gov.[44]
Passport card worth it? Yes for Mexico/Canada drives/ferries—cheaper.[45]
Photo rejected? Resubmit full app; 4-6 week setback.[46]

Sources

[1] Passports
[2] Passport Application Problems
[3] Forms
[4] When to Use DS-11
[5] Renew by Mail
[6] Lost/Stolen
[7] Children Under 16
[8] Passport Application Wizard
[9] Expedited Service
[10] Arkansas Vital Records
[11] Proof of Citizenship
[12] ID Requirements
[13] Photocopies
[14] Form DS-11
[15] Photos
[16] Fees
[17] Name Changes
[18] Parental Consent
[19] Child Fees
[20] DS-82 Instructions
[21] Common Errors
[22] Processing Times
[23] Form Instructions
[24] Arkansas Birth Cert
[25] USPS Locator
[26] Boone County Clerk
[27] Arkansas Passport Facilities
[28] Execution Fee
[29] Passport Agencies
[30] Delivery
[31] Track Status
[32] Contact
[33] Photo Rejection Stats
[34] Photo Requirements
[35] Photo Tool
[36] USPS Photos
[37] Fee Table
[38] Little Rock Agency
[39] DS-3053
[40] Expedite Times
[41] Renewal Eligibility
[42] Vital Records Order
[43] Harrison USPS
[44] Status Check
[45] Passport Card
[46] Rejections

Full links at cited travel.state.gov/healthy.arkansas.gov pages.