Passport Guide for Platteville, CO: Facilities, Checklists, Tips

Getting a Passport in Platteville, Colorado

Platteville's rural Weld County location drives passport needs for ag exports to Latin America, oil/gas site visits in Texas or Canada, family trips from Denver International Airport (45 minutes away), or university programs at UNC Greeley or Aims Community College. Summer harvests, winter energy conferences, and spring breaks create 4-6 week appointment backlogs—plan 8-11 weeks ahead for routine service to dodge rural drive frustrations. This guide cuts through delays with decision trees, consolidated checklists, Platteville-tailored pitfalls (like farm-schedule notary hunts), and pro tips drawn from State Department data.

Quick-Reference Printable Checklist

Print and check off for error-free apps (30% rejections from incompletes):

Choose the Right Passport Service

Wrong form causes #1 delay—use this decision tree:

Your Situation?
├── Never had passport / Issued <16 / >15 yrs old / Damaged? → DS-11 (In-Person)
│   └── Eligible? → Book facility appt (rural fills fast)
├── Issued 16+ / <15 yrs / Undamaged / Same name? → DS-82 (Mail, Skip Drive)
│   ├── Name change? → Add docs (DS-5504 minor fixes)
│   └── Lost/Stolen? → DS-64 report first, then above
└── Correction only? → State tool [5]; often mail DS-5504 (free)

Platteville pro: Mail DS-82 renewals saves 30-60min drives to Greeley; verify eligibility travel.state.gov/forms to avoid 4-6wk rejections.

Required Documents Checklist

Gather/photocopy everything pre-appt—Weld apps reject 30% for minors' consent gaps or bad copies. Single-sided plain paper.

Universal:

• Completed form (black ink, no tape).
• Citizenship: U.S. birth cert (certified via CO Vital Records), prior passport, or naturalization + copy.
• ID: CO DL/military + copy.
• Photo (specs below).
• Fees: Separate checks (app to "U.S. Dept of State"; exec to facility).

Adult DS-11 (New/Replacement): Above + name change docs.

DS-82 Renewal (Mail): Current passport + photo + $130 check (+$60 expedite).

Minors <16 (DS-11 In-Person): Parents' IDs/proof + DS-3053 (notarized if absent). Farm families: Notarize at Weld Clerk pre-appt.

Pitfall: Hospital birth papers invalid—order official early.

Passport Photos: Avoid 25% Rejection Rate

Colorado glare/shadows kill apps: 2x2", head 1-1⅜", white bg, 6mo old, neutral face, no glasses (med note OK). Platteville: Walgreens La Salle (10mi, $15) or Greeley UPS. Preview digital tool; mail renewals upload OK.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Platteville

No Platteville site—nearest in Weld County. Demand peaks summer ag trips; book 4-6wks ahead via USPS Locator (ZIP 80651). Expect 15-45min reviews: Oath, seal, receipt. Walk-ins rare; arrive early with packet.

Comprehensive List (Distances from Platteville):

• La Salle Post Office (5mi): 195 5th Ave, La Salle, CO. Phone: Check locator. Appt via USPS. Map.
• Eaton Post Office (15mi): 401 Ivanhoe Ave, Eaton, CO. Phone via locator. USPS Link. Map.
• Greeley Post Office (Main) (20mi): 967 11th St, Greeley, CO. Phone via locator. USPS Link. Map.
• Weld County Clerk & Recorder (20mi, Greeley): 915 10th St, Greeley, CO 80631. Phone: Verify weld.gov. Appts required. Map.

Rural tip: Midweek mornings quieter; confirm hours/phone pre-drive. Emergencies (14days): National Center 1-877-487-2778.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Pick service/docs (above).
2. Fill form (DS-11 unsigned).
3. Photo + copies.
4. Book appt (facility links).
5. In-person: Agent verifies, you sign/oath/pay; sealed packet forwarded.
6. Track online [19].
7. Receive (mail 6-8wks routine).

Urgent: +$60 expedite at appt; Denver agency (2hr) for <14days w/proof.

Processing Times and Expediting

Peaks (UNC breaks, ag season) stretch—track weekly. Mail-ins: Priority USPS tracking.

Special Considerations for Platteville Residents

Minors: 30% delays from consent; exchange students (Aims/UNC) apply 3mo early. Lost abroad: DS-64 + embassy [23]. Rural: Order docs online; mail renewals king.

Common Challenges and Pro Tips

• Appt Shortages: Backup La Salle/Greeley; book via USPS tool.
• Photo Fails: Pro service only.
• Renewal Trap: >15yrs? DS-11 despite "old passport."
• Minors: Notary hunt—Weld Clerk.
• Urgent Mixup: Expedite ≠ agency; itinerary proof needed.
• Rural Drive: Verify hours; off-peak Tues AM.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Platteville PO passports? No—nearest La Salle/Greeley [17].

Timeline? 6-8wks routine; peaks longer [20].

10-day trip? Expedite + Denver agency proof [18].

Minors appt? Yes + parents/consent [14].

Birth cert? Weld Clerk/ Vital Records [9].

Mail expedite? Yes, +$60 [3].

Passport card? Land/sea only—not flights [24].

16yr old passport? DS-11 new [3].

Sources

[1] U.S. Passports
[2] Apply In Person
[3] Renew by Mail
[4] Lost/Stolen
[5] Corrections
[6] Citizenship Evidence
[7] Fees
[8] Minors
[9] CO Vital Records
[10] Photos
[11] USPS Photos
[12] Photo Tool
[13] Agencies
[14] Weld Clerk
[15] USPS Finder
[16] La Salle
[17] Locator 80651
[18] Info Center
[19] Track
[20] Times
[21] Urgent
[22] USPS Mail
[23] Abroad
[24] Card