Getting a Passport in Burlington, CO: Steps, Fees & Local Facilities

Getting a Passport in Burlington, CO

In rural Burlington, Colorado—heart of Kit Carson County—passport needs often tie to Denver business travel, family trips to Mexico or Canada, or summer escapes to Europe. Peak seasons (spring break, summer vacations, winter getaways) strain limited local spots, with appointments vanishing fast. Last-minute rushes for emergencies mean a 3-hour drive to Denver's passport agency. Plan 10+ weeks ahead to sidestep delays.

This guide covers eligibility decisions (DS-11 in-person vs. DS-82 mail renewal), checklists, photos, fees, and local realities. Local post office and county clerk handle routine apps; no on-site issuance or urgent services.

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

Pick wrong? Expect rejection or restarts. Use the State Department's wizard for instant guidance [3].

• DS-11 (In-Person Only): First-time, minors under 16, lost/stolen/damaged passports over 15 years old, or name changes post-marriage/divorce. Apply at Burlington USPS or Kit Carson County Clerk. Don't sign until staff watches.

• DS-82 (Mail Renewal): Last passport issued within 15 years, you were 16+, undamaged/not lost. Skip lines—ideal for Burlington's rural setup. Ineligible? Switch to DS-11.

• Replacements/Corrections: Report lost/stolen via DS-64 first [15], then DS-11 or DS-82. Minor errors within a year? DS-5504 by mail [1].

• Minors: Always DS-11; both parents or notarized DS-3053 consent required.

Common mistake: Assuming old child passports renew by mail—they don't past age 16.

Step-by-Step Checklist: From Prep to Submission

One checklist covers prep through drop-off—print and tick off to dodge 30% of rejections from missing items.

1. Forms: DS-11 (first-time/minor) [4] or DS-82 (renewal) [5]. Black ink, single-sided plain paper, no staples/signatures yet.

2. Citizenship Proof: Original U.S. birth certificate (Colorado Vital Records: $20/copy [6]), naturalization cert, or prior passport + front/back photocopies (8.5x11 white paper).

3. ID Proof: Driver's license (Colorado REAL ID fine), passport card, or military ID + photocopy. No ID? Combo like SS card + birth cert (risky—get better).

4. Photos: Two 2x2-inch color, <6 months old. Head 1-1⅜ inches, neutral face, white background, no glasses/selfies/shadows [7]. Burlington options: Walmart (1500 S Lincoln Ave) or Walgreens—$15, but verify lighting avoids sun glare.

5. Fees (verify latest at travel.state.gov—subject to change):

   Item	Routine	Expedited Add-On
   Adult Book (10yr)	$130	+$60
   Minor Book (5yr)	$100	+$60
   Passport Card	$30	+$60
   Execution Fee	$35 (to facility)	-
   1-2 Day Return	+$21.36	-

   Application fee: Check/money order to "U.S. Department of State." Execution: Cash/check to facility.

6. Minors Extra: Both parents' IDs/presence or DS-3053 (notarized) + DS-64 if sole custody.

7. Book Time: Call/email facilities; peaks book 4-6 weeks out.

Application Day:

• Arrive 15 min early, docs in envelope.
• Staff reviews, you sign DS-11, pay dual fees.
• Get receipt—track at passportstatus.state.gov [12] after 7-10 days.
• Renewals: Mail DS-82 via tracked Priority Mail [2].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25% of apps fail here—rural Burlington selfies flop from poor light. Use State Dept tool to validate digital versions [8].

Key rules [7]:

• Exactly 2x2 inches.
• Plain off-white background.
• Full face forward, eyes open/mouth closed.
• No uniforms, hats (exceptions documented), dark clothes.

Pro tip: Walgreens/CVS guarantee specs or free redo. Expect 10-min wait.

Local Acceptance Facilities in Burlington

Kit Carson County's two spots handle DS-11 apps and DS-82 witnesses—no photos/expedites on-site. Call for current hours/appointments; holidays close early.

1. Burlington Post Office (311 15th St, Burlington, CO 80807; (719) 346-8522) [9]:

   • Mon-Fri, appointments via phone/online locator.
   • Peaks overwhelm—Tuesday mornings best.

2. Kit Carson County Clerk & Recorder (251 16th St Ste 102, Burlington, CO 80807; (719) 346-5448) [10]:

   • Mon-Fri, walk-ins possible but recommend booking.
   • County holidays apply.

Urgent (<14 days)? Drive 3 hours to Denver Passport Agency (1515 Wynkoop St; appointment/proof of travel required [11]). No local fairs/walk-ins guaranteed.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Track weekly [12]; mailing adds 2 weeks each way. Myth: Local spots rush— they forward only.

Special Cases: Minors and Colorado Specifics

Minors: 40% rejected for missing consent. Divorced parents: Bring court orders. Exchange

students add DS-2019/SEVIS.

Birth Certs: Kit Carson issues local only; state via CDPHE ($20) or VitalChek rush ($38+) [6]. Lost prior passport? Still need citizenship proof.

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

• Appointment Droughts: Book early; use USPS locator [9]. Rural drive times eat buffers.
• Photo Glitches: Burlington sun causes shadows—indoor studios only.
• Doc Gaps: Photocopy all; minors forget DS-3053.
• Renewal Trap: Damaged/expired >15 years? DS-11 redo.
• Peaks: Post-holiday apps for spring break—still delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long in Burlington? 6-8 weeks routine + mailing; no local rush [13].

Mail renewal? Yes for eligibles—USPS Burlington witnesses if needed [2].

Birth cert? State level via CDPHE/VitalChek [6]; county no.

Travel soon? Denver agency w/ proof [11].

Kids to Mexico? Own passport since 2010 [1].

Track status? passportstatus.state.gov [12].

Lost passport? DS-64 then reapply [15].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - How to Apply
[2] U.S. Department of State - Renew by Mail
[3] Passport Wizard
[4] DS-11
[5] DS-82
[6] Colorado Vital Records
[7] Photo Requirements
[8] Photo Tool
[9] USPS Finder
[10] Kit Carson Clerk
[11] Denver Agency
[12] Status Check
[13] Processing Times
[14] Kit Carson Health
[15] DS-64