Middletown CT Passport Guide: Forms, Facilities & Steps

Passport in Middletown, CT

Middletown residents in the Lower Connecticut River Valley frequently apply for passports due to international business, family trips, or student programs tied to Wesleyan University, which attracts global exchanges. Demand spikes in spring/summer for Europe and winter for Caribbean/Latin America travel, plus Wesleyan breaks, leading to scarce appointments. Urgent needs arise from emergencies or last-minute work. This guide uses U.S. Department of State resources to provide step-by-step help, checklists, decision tools (e.g., DS-11 vs. DS-82), timelines, facility expectations, and Middletown-specific tips like vital records access and peak avoidance [1].

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

Choose the right form upfront to avoid rejections or mail-backs, which add 4+ weeks.

Use the State Department's wizard for confirmation [5]. Common mistake: Using DS-82 if passport >15 years old—forces DS-11 in person.

Required Documents and Forms

Originals only—no photocopies. U.S. citizens by birth, naturalization, or prior passport.

• Citizenship Proof: Birth certificate (raised seal), naturalization cert, or old undamaged passport. CT births: Middletown Town Clerk (pre-1895, 245 deKoven Dr., (860) 685-4000) or CT DPH Vital Records (recent, online/mail) [6][18].
• Identity Proof: Valid CT driver's license, military ID (name must match citizenship doc).
• Form: Download from travel.state.gov/forms [7]. DS-11 unsigned until facility.
• Photo: 2x2-inch (specs below).
• Fees: See table below. Two payments: State Dept. (check to "U.S. Department of State") + facility execution (~$35, cash/check) [8].

Fee Summary (2024; verify [8]):

| Type | Routine Book | Routine Card | Book + Card | Expedite (+$) | |------|--------------|

--------------|-------------|---------------| | Adult (16+) | $130 | $30 | $160 | $60 | | Child (<16) | $100 | $15 | $115 | $60 |

• Execution $35/adult, $30/child; 1-2 day delivery $21.52. Wesleyan students: Budget extra for expedites during breaks.

Minors: Both parents' IDs/presence or DS-3053 notarized consent [4].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25-30% fail from poor quality [9]. Must be pro-taken (selfies reject 90%+).

• Size: 2x2 in (head 1-1⅜ in), color, white/off-white background, <6 months old.
• Pose: Full face forward, neutral, eyes/mouth visible; no glasses/hats/uniforms unless medical/religious.
• Lighting: Even, no shadows/glare.

Middletown spots: CVS (322 Main St.), Walgreens (1050 Newfield St. or others), USPS (~$15). Call ahead [10].

Passport Acceptance Facilities in Middletown and Nearby

DS-11 requires in-person at State-authorized spots (post offices, clerks). They verify docs, oath, collect fees (15-30 min/group), forward to processing—no passports issued on-site. Book via usps.com or phone; Middletown fills fast (Wesleyan peaks). Arrive early with organized docs; kids need both parents. Credit cards rare—bring checks. Busy: Mondays/midday/summer; try Tue-Thu mornings [11].

Middletown Options:

• Main Post Office: 333 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457. (860) 346-6800. Mon-Fri 9AM-2PM appts [12].
• City Clerk's Office: 245 deKoven Dr., Middletown, CT 06457. (860) 685-4040. Call for passport hours/appts [13].

Nearby if Booked: Portland PO (8 Broadway, Portland), Cromwell PO (4 West St., Cromwell). Locator: USPS tool [11].

DS-82 renewals: Mail only [2]. Track all at passportstatus.state.gov [14].

Step-by-Step Application Checklist

DS-11 (New/In-Person, 2-3 hrs prep):

1. Wizard check [5]; download DS-11 [7].
2. Docs/photo/fees ready (minors: DS-3053).
3. Fill form (don't sign).
4. Book appt [11]; arrive 15 min early.
5. At facility: Agent reviews, oath/sign, dual payments.
6. Track in 7-10 days [14].
7. Receive: 6-8 wks routine mail.

DS-82 Renewal:

1. Eligibility ok [2].
2. Fill/mail w/ old passport/photo/fees.
3. Track [14].

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Che

ck travel.state.gov/processing-times [15]—routine book 6-8 wks (+ execution), total 10-13 wks peaks. Expedite (+$60 at submit/agency): 4-6 wks. Passport card (+$30/15) for Canada/Mexico land/sea [1].

Urgent (<14 days): Life/death + travel proof only; appt at CT/Philadelphia agency—no walk-ins [16]. Avoid last-minute; Middletown summer adds delays.

Special Considerations for Minors and Students

Kids <16: No renewals; both parents or DS-3053 (90-day notary). Wesleyan exchanges: School itinerary aids but not docs substitute.

Lost abroad: Embassy [17].

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

• Appt Shortages: Book 4-6 wks early; check multiple/nearby. Wesleyan rush: Go off-season [11].
• Photo/Doc Rejects: Pros only; match names exactly [9].
• Form Errors: DS-82 ineligible? DS-11. Minors miss consent: 4+ wk return [2][4].
• Delays: Peaks +2-4 wks; order CT birth cert early (Middletown Clerk/CT DPH) [6][15][18].
• Fees: Separate checks; no cards at most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summer timeline in Middletown? 10-13 wks routine; appts scarce—book now [15].
Expired passport as ID? No, need valid DL [1].
Expedite vs. urgent? Expedite any travel (4-6 wks); urgent emergencies/agency [15][16].
Child passports? Both parents or DS-3053 [4].
Birth cert? Middletown Clerk (local old) or CT DPH [6][18].
Track? passportstatus.state.gov [14].
Mexico cruise? Card ok closed-loop [19].
Lost? DS-64 then reapply [3].

Sources

1. U.S. Dept of State - Apply In Person
2. Renew by Mail
3. Lost/Stolen
4. Children Under 16
5. Application Wizard
6. Middletown City Clerk
7. Forms
8. Fees
9. [Photo Requirements](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/pho

tos.html)
10. USPS Photos
11. USPS Locator
12. Middletown PO
13. City Clerk Passports
14. Status Check
15. Processing Times
16. Urgent Service
17. Lost Abroad
18. CT Vital Records
19. Western Hemisphere