Lakewood CO Passport Guide: Jefferson County Steps & Facilities

By GovComplete Team • Published on:

Location: Lakewood, CO
Lakewood CO Passport Guide: Jefferson County Steps & Facilities

Getting a Passport in Lakewood, CO: A Complete Guide for Jefferson County Residents

Nestled in Jefferson County amid Colorado's Front Range, Lakewood residents juggle busy passports needs—from business flights out of nearby Denver International Airport to family ski trips abroad after Vail season, spring break escapes, and summer European vacations. High demand spikes in March (spring break), June-August (summer travel), and December (winter holidays), filling local slots fast. This practical guide, based on U.S. Department of State resources [1], helps you navigate DS-11 vs. DS-82 choices, avoid pitfalls like photo rejections or missing minor consents, and target Jefferson County facilities efficiently.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick the wrong form, and you'll face rejections or wasted trips—a common snag for Coloradoans renewing old high school passports.

Situation Form Method Key Eligibility Notes
First-Time (Adults/Minors) DS-11 In-person only at PAF Never had U.S. passport; minors under 16 always qualify here.
Renewal DS-82 Mail (preferred) or in-person at some PAFs Issued age 16+, last 15 years, undamaged/not lost/stolen. No minors under 16.
Lost/Stolen/Damaged DS-64 (report) + DS-11/DS-82 In-person (DS-11) or mail (if renewal-eligible) Police report boosts theft claims.
Name Change/Correction DS-82 (often) Mail or in-person Marriage/divorce/court docs required [1].
Minors Under 16 DS-11 In-person with both parents/guardians Consent form if one absent [1].

Confirm via State Department Wizard [1]. Local tip: Jefferson County families often trip up on minor renewals—treat as new if issued before 16.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Lakewood and Jefferson County

Consolidate your search here: Use the official locator [3] to verify passport services, as not all sites offer them. Book appointments ASAP via phone/website—slots vanish during CO peaks. Expect 15-30 min visits: Staff reviews docs, you swear an oath, they seal and forward to processing (no passports issued on-site). Bring completed unsigned form, ID photocopy, photo, fees (check/money order split: execution to local clerk, application to State Dept.). Weekdays busiest Mondays 11am-2pm; hit early mornings or late afternoons.

| Facility | Address | Phone/Booking | In

fo Link | Notes | |----------|---------|---------------|-----------|-------| | Lakewood Post Office | 8010 W Jewell Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232 | USPS Locator | USPS Passports [2] | Appointments required; some photo services. Popular for convenience. | | Belmar Station (USPS) | 7155 W Alaska Dr, Lakewood, CO 80123 | USPS Locator | USPS Passports [2] | Verify slots; near Belmar shopping. | | Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder | 100 Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401 | (303) 271-8123 | Jeffco Clerk [4] | Handles DS-11/minors; short drive west via Hwy 6. | | Nearby Libraries (e.g., Lakewood or Arvada) | Varies | Use locator [3] | State Locator [3] | Check for walk-ins; student-friendly. |

Renewals? Mail DS-82—no visit needed [1]. Emergencies (travel <14 days, life/death): Denver Passport Agency by appt (call NPIC 1-877-487-2778) with itinerary proof [1].

(Pins: Lakewood PO, Belmar Station, Jeffco Clerk. Zoom/adjust for Arvada libraries via locator [3].)

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

  1. Form: Download DS-11 [1]; fill but don't sign until there.
  2. Citizenship Proof: Original birth cert (long form via CO Vital Records [5], $20+, 4-6 wk mail) + photocopy.
  3. ID: CO DL (REAL ID ok) + photocopy [1].
  4. Photo: 2x2" specs [6]; Lakewood Walgreens/CVS/USPS (~$15). Avoid glare from CO sun.
  5. Minors: DS-3053 notarized if one parent absent [1].
  6. Fees: Adult $100 exec + $130 app; child $100+$100. Expedite +$60 [7].
  7. Appt: Book via above links/phones; arrive early.
  8. At Facility: Review, oath, seal; get receipt. Track [here](https://p

assportstatus.state.gov/) [1]. 9. Wait: Routine 6-8 wks (peaks +2-4); exp 2-3 wks. No tracking first 7 days.

DS-82 Renewal: Eligibility check [1], old passport + photo + $130, mail trackable.

Passport Photos: Dodge Rejections

20-30% rejected locally for glare/shadows [1]. Indoor pro shots: White background, head 1-1⅜", no glasses. Full specs [6].

Fees, Timelines, and Expedites

Type Routine Expedited (+$60) Urgent (<14 days)
Adult/Minor Book 6-8 wks 2-3 wks Denver Agency appt [1]
Card (Canada/MX) Same N/A N/A

Peaks stretch timelines; non-refundable. Expedited ≠ urgent.

Colorado and Jefferson County Tips

  • Vitals: Order birth certs early [5]; Jeffco proxies via clerk [4].
  • Peaks: Book 6-8 wks ahead for ski/vacation rushes.
  • Mistakes: No minor consent (20% delay); ineligible DS-82; poor photos.

Common Challenges and Fixes

  • No Slots: Check alternatives; prep via USPS Click-N-Ship [2].
  • Delays: Track weekly; NPIC for issues.
  • Docs: Triple photocopy; name mismatches kill apps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Same-day in Lakewood? No at PAFs; Denver Agency for urgents (720-498-2500) [1].
Expedited vs. Urgent? Expedited faster routine; urgent agency-only w/proof [1].
USPS Appt? Yes, verify per site [2].
Expired >15 Yrs? DS-11 new [1].
Single Parent Minor? DS-3053/court [1].
Mail First-Time? No [1].
Quick Birth Cert? CO Vitals expedite [5].
CO DL ID? Yes, if matches [1].

Sources

[1] U.S. Dept of State Passports
[2] USPS Passports
[3] PAF Locator
[4] Jeffco Clerk
[5] CO Vital Records
[6] Photo Specs
[7] Fees

AK

Aaron Kramer

Passport Services Expert & Founder

Aaron Kramer is the founder of GovComplete and a passport services expert with over 15 years of experience in the U.S. passport industry. Throughout his career, Aaron has helped thousands of travelers navigate the complexities of passport applications, renewals, and expedited processing. His deep understanding of State Department regulations, acceptance facility operations, and emergency travel documentation has made him a trusted resource for both first-time applicants and seasoned travelers. Aaron's mission is to make government services accessible and stress-free for everyone.

15+ Years Experience Expedited Processing State Dept. Regulations