Selbyville DE Passport Guide: Forms, Facilities, Sussex Tips

Getting a Passport in Selbyville, Delaware

Selbyville residents in Sussex County, Delaware, frequently apply for passports amid beach season travel to the Caribbean, winter escapes to warmer climates, or student exchanges. Proximity to Philadelphia (PHL) and Baltimore-Washington (BWI) airports fuels demand, but spring/summer peaks and holidays strain local facilities—book 4-6 weeks early. Urgent needs, like family emergencies or last-minute business, require distinguishing expedited (2-3 weeks) from urgent (under 14 days, needing a passport agency). This guide details form choices (DS-11 vs. DS-82), checklists, common errors like photo glare from coastal sun or missing parental consent, facility expectations, and Sussex-specific tips to avoid delays [1].

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Picking the wrong form or process causes weeks-long delays. Use this decision tree:

• DS-11 (New/In-Person): First-time, minor under 16, expired over 15 years/issued before 16, lost/stolen/damaged, or ineligible for renewal. Both parents needed for minors.
• DS-82 (Renewal/Mail-In): Issued within 15 years, you were 16+, undamaged, not lost/stolen. Mail only unless changing name/details.
• Other: DS-64 for lost/stolen report; DS-5504 for recent name changes (free, mail-in).

Common Selbyville mistakes: Treating ineligible renewals as DS-82 (must use DS-11); forgetting DS-3053 notarized consent for minors on summer trips.

Download single-sided forms in black ink from travel.state.gov [2].

Gather Required Documents: Step-by-Step Checklists

Rejections hit 25% from incomplete docs—Sussex residents order state birth certificates online (2-4 weeks standard) via vitalstats.delaware.gov, as county doesn't issue them [3]. Photocopy everything on plain white paper (front/back one page).

First-Time Adult/Minor (DS-11)

• Unsigned DS-11.
• Citizenship proof (original birth cert + copy; long-form best).
• ID (driver's license + copy).
• 2x2 photo.
• Minors: Both parents' IDs/copies; DS-3053 notarized if one absent; court order for sole custody.
• Name change docs.

Renewal (DS-82)

• Signed DS-82.
• Old passport.
• Photo.
• Fees.

Timeline tip: Start 10+ weeks pre-travel; vital records add 2-4 weeks.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

Coastal glare/shadows reject 25-30%—must be 2x2 inches, head 1-1⅜ inches, white background, taken <6 months, neutral face, no glasses glare/uniforms [4].

Selbyville options:

• Selbyville Post Office (37079 DuPont Blvd, ~$15).
• Walmart pharmacy (37214 Lighthouse Rd, nearby).

Retake at CVS/Walgreens for compliance; print two identical.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Selbyville

Sussex beach influx books slots fast—use iafdb.travel.state.gov for real-time availability/appointments. Expect 15-30 min: Oath, doc review, sealing (no walk-ins peak times). Arrive early with organized docs; busiest Mon/midday [5].

Comprehensive list (drive times approximate):

• Selbyville Post Office: 37079 DuPont Blvd, Selbyville, DE 19975. (302) 436-8022. Mon-Fri by appt. DS-11, photos. Google Maps
• Millsboro Post Office: 29456 Veterans Way, Millsboro, DE 19966 (~10 min). Similar services. Google Maps
• Ocean View Post Office: 35 Atlantic Ave, Ocean View, DE 19970 (~15 min). Google Maps
• Georgetown Clerk of Peace (Sussex County): 34 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947 (~25 min). County DS-11 option. Google Maps

Urgent: Post-facility, drive 2 hrs to Philadelphia Passport Agency (200 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA; appt via 1-877-487-2778 + itinerary). Verify hours/services directly [1].

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Assess need/gather docs (checklists).
2. Get compliant photo.
3. Complete forms (DS-11 unsigned).
4. Book facility appt.
5. Attend: Sign/pay; agent seals—don't touch.
6. Mail renewals to PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 (tracked Priority).
7. Track at passportstatus.state.gov (~10 days post-submission).
8. Expect 6-8 weeks routine.

Common pitfalls: Signing DS-11 early; unsealed envelopes; no tracking.

Fees and Payment Methods

Facility execution: $35 (cash/check/card varies). State fee by check/money order [6].

Expedited +$60; 1-2 day return $21.85.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine: 6-8 weeks. Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60). Peaks add delays—apply 9+ weeks early. Urgent agency for <14 days/life-or-death. Track diligently; resubmit if >4 weeks silent [1].

Special Considerations for Delaware Families and Students

Sussex student exchanges: Dual parental consent mandatory—notarize DS-3053 ahead. Beach thefts: File DS-64/police report fast. Frequent flyers: Opt 52-page book. Vital records: State-only (Dover/online); Sussex Register of Wills for deaths, but passports need birth proof [3].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

DS-82 at Selbyville Post Office? No—mail only if eligible; DS-11 in-person [2].
No birth cert? Naturalization/previous passport; order DE online [3].
Travel in 10 days? Expedite + Philly agency [1].
15-year-old rules? Under 16: DS-11/parents/5-yr validity [2].
Photo rejection? Glare/shadows/size—CVS retake [4].
Newborn passport? DS-11 + hospital cert (upgrade to state) [3].
Seasonal slots? Book early May-Aug/Dec [5].
County office? Georgetown Clerk of Peace [5].

Sources

[1] U.S. Passports & International Travel
[2] Passport Forms
[3] Delaware Vital Statistics
[4] Passport Photo Requirements
[5] Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[6] USPS Passport Services