Getting a Passport in Strasburg, CO: DS-11, DS-82 & Locations

Getting a Passport in Strasburg, Colorado

Strasburg, a rural town in Arapahoe County along I-70 east of Denver (ZIP 80136), serves commuters, farmers, and families who travel internationally for business in Europe or Asia, beach vacations, ski trips abroad, or student exchanges. Peak application seasons align with Colorado's spring breaks, summer road trips via DEN airport, and winter holidays, overwhelming facilities. Urgent needs—like family emergencies or tight business deadlines—require early planning due to limited rural slots and 30-60 minute drives to options [1].

This guide provides Strasburg-specific navigation, covering DS-11 (first-time/in-person) vs. DS-82 (mail renewal) decisions, pitfalls like photo glare from home setups or incomplete minor docs, and timelines amid seasonal surges. Always verify latest details via linked official sources, as fees, times, and availability change [2].

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

Determine your form first: DS-11 for in-person (first-time, minors, expired >15 years, lost/stolen, major name changes); DS-82 for mail renewal if eligible (issued <15 years ago, aged 16+ at issuance, undamaged/not reported lost).

First-Time or DS-11 Scenarios

DS-11 applications—for first-time passports, children under 16, lost/stolen passports, or name changes without prior documents—require in-person submission at passport acceptance facilities. This is especially common for Strasburg residents, like teens heading on international exchanges or families dealing with recent name changes lacking old passports.

Practical steps for success:

• Schedule an appointment online in advance (walk-ins rare and risky).
• Prepare: Unsigned DS-11 form, original proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., birth certificate), valid photo ID (driver's license works), one 2x2 passport photo, and all fees (check/money order for application fee).
• Allow 1-2 hours per visit; go early to beat lines.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Submitting a DS-82 renewal form by mistake—if you lack a prior undamaged passport, it's DS-11 only.
• Bringing photocopies instead of originals (citizenship docs must be originals; expect certified copies if needed later).
• DIY photos that fail specs (no selfies, uniform white background, head size 1-1.375 inches, taken within 6 months).
• Forgetting parental consent for minors (both parents or notarized statement required).

Decision guidance:

• Opt for closer Bennett facilities for quicker drives (under 30 min from Strasburg) if available; choose Aurora for more slots and faster processing if Bennett is booked.
• Verify hours/facility status online before driving—rural Strasburg has no local options, so plan for 20-60 min round-trip based on choice and traffic [1].

Renewal by Mail (DS-82)

Ideal for rural schedules avoiding drives:

• Completed/unsigned DS-82 (print single-sided).
• Current passport.
• 2x2 photo (white background; avoid pharmacy selfies with glare).
• Fees: Check/money order to "U.S. Department of State" (verify current amounts at travel.state.gov [5]; no cash/credit).

Mail via USPS Priority (track it). Standard: 6-8 weeks; expedited +$60 for 2-3 weeks.

Local Decision Tree:

Pitfalls: Signing DS-82 early; damaged books; November-February mailing (12+ week delays). Track at travel.state.gov after 1 week. Ineligible? Switch to DS-11 [3].

Required Documents and Step-by-Step Checklist

Originals only (photocopies for ID). Colorado births: Certified copy from CDPHE vital records ($20+; order online/mail) [4].

Core Documents

• Form: DS-11/DS-82 (unsigned until directed).
• Citizenship: Birth cert (raised seal), naturalization cert, or old passport.
• ID: Driver's license + photocopy (front/back).
• Photo: One compliant 2x2.
• Fees: Verify current at travel.state.gov [5]; execution to facility, application to State Dept.
• Minors <16: Both parents/DS-3053 consent + IDs/child's docs.
• Name change: Marriage cert/court order (CDPHE/Arapahoe if CO-issued) [6].

Application Steps with Pitfalls

1. Assess timeline: Routine (6-8w), expedited (2-3w +$60), urgent (<14d: call 1-877-487-2778) [2]. Buffer for CO peaks.
2. Find/book facility: iafdb.travel.state.gov (ZIP 80136); call for slots (fill fast).
3. Prep docs/photos: Triple-check; order CO birth cert early.
4. Attend: Arrive 15min early; expect 20-45min wait/review/oath/sealing. No on-site photos/expedite.
5. Track: passportstatus.state.gov (5-7d wait).
6. Receive: Mailed securely.

Renewal mail: Per DS-82 instructions [3].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25% rejections from specs: 2x2 color, head 1-1⅜", white/off-white background, even light/neutral face, no glasses/selfies unless medical [9]. Rural glare issue: Use Aurora Walgreens/CVS/UPS ($15-17) or AAA. Verify compliance pre-submission.

Where to Apply Near Strasburg

No local facility; drive 15-45min to Arapahoe/USPS options. Book 4-6w ahead via usps.com or calls—walk-ins possible but peak-crowded (Mornings best; avoid lunch hours) [7].

Search ZIP 80136 at iafdb.travel.state.gov [7]:

• Arapahoe County Clerk (Aurora/Centennial/Littleton): Appt req'd, $15 execution [10].
• Aurora Main Post Office: 2825 S. Parker Rd., Aurora, CO 80014 [11].
• Byers Post Office (~15mi): 535 N. Main St., Byers, CO 80103; call 303-822-5201 [12].

Urgent (<14d): Denver Passport Agency (2hr drive, appt/proof only) [2]. Expect: Doc review, oath, fee split, sealed envelope forwarded. No photos/expedite on-site.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine: 6-8w; expedited: 2-3w (+$60). CO surges (spring/summer/holidays) add 2-4w—apply 3mo early. Urgent: Agency only w/proof. Track online; no early calls [2].

Additional Tips for Strasburg Residents

• Minors/Students: Summer exchanges need dual consent; homeschoolers add school proof.
• Business Travel: Airlines need passport 72hr pre-flight; plan for I-70/DEN delays.
• Rural Hacks: Mail renewals save gas; pop-up fairs at Denver libraries [13].
• Vitals/Fees: CDPHE only (no Arapahoe births) [4]; always check travel.state.gov [5].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Child passport without other parent? No; DS-3053 or custody proof required [1].

Expedited vs. urgent? Expedited: 2-3w any trip; urgent: <14d agency w/death/itinerary proof [2].

Expired 16+ years? DS-11 in-person [3].

CO birth cert? CDPHE only [4].

Glasses in photo? No unless medical/no glare [9].

Track status? passportstatus.state.gov post-5d [2].

Expedite at post office? Request there; <14d agency [7].

Passport fairs? travel.state.gov/events (Denver area) [13].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] U.S. Department of State - Processing Times
[3] U.S. Department of State - Renew by Mail
[4] Colorado Department of Public Health - Vital Records
[5] U.S. Department of State - Fees
[6] Arapahoe County Clerk - Marriage Records
[7] State Department - Acceptance Facility Search
[8] USPS - Passport Photos
[9] U.S. Department of State - Photo Requirements
[10] Arapahoe County Clerk - Passports
[11] USPS Location Finder
[12] USPS Byers CO
[13] State Department - Passport Fairs