Paris IL Passport Guide: Forms, Facilities & Application Steps

By GovComplete Team • Published on: January 24, 2026

Location: Paris, IL

Paris IL Passport Guide: Forms, Facilities & Application Steps

Getting a Passport in Paris, IL

Nestled in Edgar County, Paris, Illinois—a small town of about 8,000 with a rural vibe—residents often travel for family visits to Chicago, business trips across the Midwest, or vacations to Florida beaches and Canadian lakes. Proximity to Terre Haute, IN (20 miles away), makes cross-state options practical, while Eastern Illinois University students in nearby Charleston add seasonal demand for study abroad. Peaks hit in spring for Europe/Canada flights and summer for Mexico cruises, with last-minute rushes for holidays. Local spots book up fast, so start 10-12 weeks early to dodge delays.

This guide covers first-time applications, renewals, and specials, using U.S. Department of State rules to sidestep pitfalls like wrong forms (DS-11 vs. DS-82 mix-ups), photo fails, or missing minor consents [1][2].

Choosing the Right Passport Service

Pick wrong, and you'll restart. Use this decision tree:

Situation	Form	In-Person?	Key Eligibility Check
Never had a passport (16+)	DS-11	Yes	None—always in-person.
Renewal (issued at 16+, <15 years old, undamaged, current name)	DS-82	No (mail OK)	Passport signature matches now? Name change docs ready?
Lost/stolen/damaged	DS-64 report + DS-11 or DS-82	Yes if DS-11	Damaged? Treat as first-time.
Child under 16	DS-11	Yes	Both parents or consent form?
Urgent (<14 days, life/death)	DS-11 expedited	Yes at agency	Proof (itinerary/death cert)?

Run the State Department Wizard for confirmation [6]. Common mistake: Assuming all renewals need in-person—only if adding a card or ineligible for mail.

Required Documents and Forms

Originals only (photocopy citizenship/ID front/back). Illinois snag: Short-form birth certs rejected—get long-form from Edgar County Clerk (217-466-7434) or IDPH online [7].

Checklist:

Citizenship: Long birth cert, naturalization cert, or old passport.
ID: REAL ID driver's license, military ID.
Photo: 2x2 inch (specs below).
Form: DS-11 (don't sign till sworn), DS-82 (mail), DS-64 (lost).
Fees: App fee to State Dept (check/MO); $35 execution to facility.
Minors: DS-3053 notarized consent if one parent absent.
Name change: Marriage/divorce docs.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

70% rejected locally from

glare, shadows, or size errors [9]. Head must measure 1-1⅜ inches; plain background.

Do's and Don'ts:

Within 6 months, color, matte paper.
Eyes open, neutral face, even light.
No glasses/hats (med/religious OK with proof), selfies, or booth prints.

Paris spots: Walgreens (1205 N Main St; 217-463-7080), CVS (340 E Court St). Ask for "State Dept compliant"—they know the drill.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Paris, IL

Small-town Paris has two main spots; no walk-ins—call 4-6 weeks ahead via USPS Locator or State Locator [10]. Expect 20-30 min visits: Agent verifies docs, swears you in, collects fees. Friendly staff, but peaks (spring/summer) mean 2-4 week waits for slots. Bring organized folder to speed it up.

Paris Post Office: 1206 N Main St, Paris, IL 61944. Mon-Fri 9AM-2PM by appt. 217-466-6011. $35 fee [11].
Edgar County Clerk: 115 W Court St, Paris, IL 61944. By appt; call 217-466-7434 for hours [12].
Backups (20-40 miles): Terre Haute IN Post Office (812-327-2671), Charleston IL Post Office. Chicago Agency (300 miles) for life/death only [5].

Step-by-Step Application Checklist

For DS-11 (first-time/child/replacement):

Complete DS-11 online/paper—don't sign.
Gather originals, photo, photocopies, fees ($130 adult book + $35).
Book appt (call early).
Arrive on time: Agent reviews, you sign/swears.
Pay: State fee (check), execution (cash/check).
Get receipt; track at passportstatus.state.gov after 7 days [13].
Receive by mail: 6-8 weeks routine; 2-3 weeks expedited (+$60, mark "EXPEDITE").

Mistake alert: Forgetting photocopies or signing early voids it.

Renewals by Mail (DS-82)

If eligible, skip locals—mail to Philadelphia center [3].

Old passport + DS-82 + photo + $130 fee (+ name docs).
Sign—no witness.
Same timelines; dorm addresses OK for students.

Special Cases: Minors and Urgent Travel

Minors: Both parents or DS-3053 (notarized). 5-year validity; Illinois rejections spike from missing consents [4]. EIU/UIUC students: Start for J-1 visas.

Urgent: <14 days needs itinerary/proof at agency post-local submission. No local rush—plan ahead [5].

Lost: DS-64 online first [14].

Processing Times and Realistic Expectations

Medians: Routine 6-8 weeks; expedited 2-3 (+$60). Illinois peaks add 4 weeks—track obsessively.

Overdue >4 weeks? Call 1-877-487-2778. Private rush services post-submission: $200+ [15].

Frequently Asked Questions

Appointment needed? Yes—high demand, no walk-ins [10].

Expedited vs. urgent? Expedited at facilities (2-3 weeks); urgent agency-only for life/death [5].

Photo rejected? Retake at Walgreens/CVS—no glare/shadows [9].

Birth cert? Edgar Clerk or IDPH; long-form, 4-6 weeks lead [7].

Student renewal? Mail if eligible [3].

Family emergency? Proof for agency; otherwise expedite early [5].

Passport card for Mexico cruise? Yes (land/sea only) [16].

Summer timeline? 10-12 weeks from Paris [1].

Sources

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