Getting Your Passport in Redlands, CA: Complete Guide

Getting a Passport in Redlands, CA: A Complete Guide

Redlands residents often need passports for Southern California's travel hubs: business trips to Asia/Europe, quick Mexico getaways, student exchanges, or family emergencies. Peaks hit during spring breaks, summer vacations, and holidays, overwhelming San Bernardino County facilities. Pitfalls like rejected photos (shadows/glare), missing minor consents, or form mix-ups (DS-11 vs. DS-82) cause delays. This guide uses U.S. State Department data to streamline your process with checklists, local tips, and timelines [1].

Determine Your Passport Need: First-Time, Renewal, or Replacement

Pick the right form to avoid rejection—common mistake: using DS-82 for ineligible renewals.

• First-Time (DS-11): No prior passport, issued before age 16, lost/stolen/damaged, expired >15 years, or minors under 16. In-person only.
• Renewal (DS-82): Issued <15 years ago, you were 16+, undamaged, current name. Mail it—no Redlands visit needed.
• Replacement: Lost/stolen/damaged within 1 year? DS-5504 (no fee). After? DS-11 as new.

Plus $35 execution fee (in-person only, cash/check to facility). Expedite: +$60. Use State Dept wizard [1].

Required Documents and Eligibility

Prove U.S. citizenship with original/certified birth certificate (photocopy front/back), naturalization cert, or Citizenship cert. San Bernardino locals: Order from County Recorder [3]. Valid ID (driver's license) + photocopy. One 2x2 photo (specs below). Fees separate: State Dept (check/money order), execution to facility.

Minors: Both parents or notarized DS-3053. Common pitfall: No parental ID copy.

Step-by-Step Checklist for In-Person Applications (DS-11)

1. Fill DS-11 online/print (sign in front of agent). Black ink, no whites-outs.
2. Original citizenship proof + photocopy.
3. Photo ID + photocopy.
4. Compliant 2x2 photo.
5. Fees ready: Two payments.
6. Book appointment at Redlands-area facility.
7. All applicants attend (minors too). Expect 15-30 min: Oath, review, submit.
8. Get rec

eipt; track online [1]. 9. Buffer travel: Routine 6-8 weeks + mailing.

Mail DS-82: Old passport, photo, fee check to State Dept [2].

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Redlands

County facilities serve Inland Empire volume—book early via usps.com or iafdb.travel.state.gov [5][7]. Expect document review, oath, fee collection (15-30 min). Walk-ins rare; peaks (Mon mid-day, holidays) mean waits. Early Tue-Thu best. No urgent agencies locally—LA is 60 miles.

• Redlands Post Office: 601 N Nevada St, Redlands, CA 92374. Appointments: usps.com or (800) ASK-USPS [5].
• San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk (Yucaipa): 34184 County Line Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399 (~10 miles). Hours/appointments: arc.sbcounty.gov [6].
• Others: Search USPS locator or State Dept tool for Highland PO, libraries (Redlands seasonal?) [5][7].

Passport Photos: Avoiding Rejections

25%+ rejections from photos. Specs [4]:

• 2x2 inches; head 1-1 3/8 inches.
• White background, even light (no shadows/glare).
• Neutral face, no glasses/uniforms (headwear OK with statement).

Redlands spots: Walgreens, CVS, Costco. Get digital preview; retakes free if rejected.

Processing Times and Expediting

Routine: 6-8 weeks (in-person/mail, excluding transit). CA peaks add 2-4 weeks [1]. Track: travel.state.gov.

• Expedited: +$60, 2-3 weeks (request at facility/mail).
• Urgent (<14 days): Emergency proof + expedite + overnight ($21.36). Call 1-877-487-2778 after submit [1].

Tip: Apply 9+ months pre-summer travel.

Special Considerations for Minors Under 16

DS-11 in-person; 5-year validity. Parents: Both attend, or DS-3053 (notarized, ID copy), or court order. Kid photos: Steady hold, plain expression. CA birth certs: County Recorder ($32+) or VitalChek [3][9].

Tracking and After You Receive It

Track online. Errors? DS-64/DS-5504 immediately. Non-transferable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Renew at Redlands Post Office? No—DS-82 mails only.

Birth certificate? County Recorder or VitalChek (2-4 weeks) [3].

Trip in 3 weeks? Expedite; call for emergencies [1].

Photo rejected? Retake per specs—check lighting/size [4].

Minor appointment? Required; both parents ideal.

Expedite at USPS? Yes [5].

Passport card for Mexico? Land/sea yes; air no [1].

**Summer time

line?** 9+ months routine [1].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] U.S. Department of State - How to Apply
[3] San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk - Birth Certificates
[4] U.S. Department of State - Passport Photos
[5] USPS - Passport Services
[6] San Bernardino County - Passports
[7] State Department Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[8] U.S. Department of State - Children Under 16
[9] California Department of Public Health - Vital Records