Centreville MD Passport Guide: Steps, Facilities & Tips

Obtaining a Passport in Centreville, MD

Centreville residents in Queen Anne's County often need passports for Caribbean escapes, family trips abroad, or business via nearby BWI Airport (90-minute drive). Demand peaks during spring breaks, summer Chesapeake Bay boating, and holidays, overwhelming local facilities—book appointments 8-12 weeks early for routine service. Urgent needs like emergencies qualify for faster options, but require proof and may involve travel to regional agencies.

This guide delivers tailored steps, decision tools, checklists, and local tips to sidestep pitfalls like rejected photos (use natural light, measure 2x2 inches), wrong forms (DS-11 for new vs. DS-82 for eligible renewals), or missing minor consents. Verify everything at travel.state.gov, as requirements evolve (e.g., name changes demand court orders).

Choose the Right Passport Service

Assess your timeline, budget, and urgency with this decision tree:

Travel Date
├── >3 months away → Routine (6-8 weeks, $130 adult)
├── 1-3 months away → Expedited (+$60, 2-3 weeks)
├── <2 weeks away → Urgent (agency visit + proof like itinerary; call 1-877-487-2778)
└── Eligible renewal? → Mail DS-82 (no in-person if undamaged, <15 years old, issued at 16+)

Routine: Cheapest; apply 3+ months early. Peaks add 2-4 weeks.

Expedited: For 6-12 week windows; includes tracking.

Urgent: 14 days or less at agencies (e.g., Philly/DC); life-or-death same-day possible.

Local tip: Queen Anne's summer surges delay mail; expedite proactively.

First-Time Passport

Applies if no prior U.S. passport or previous issued before age 16. Decision check: Issued at 16+ within 15 years, undamaged? Renew via DS-82 by mail instead.

Steps:

1. Download DS-11 from travel.state.gov.
2. Do not sign until agent instructs at facility.
3. Gather originals: citizenship proof (certified birth certificate—MD vital records if needed), photo ID (name match), 2x2 photo.
4. For minors: Both parents or DS-3053 notarized consent + relationship proof.

Checklist Table:

ayable (check to State Dept) |

Pro photo at Centreville CVS/Walgreens ($15). Expect 15-30min facility review/oath. Routine: 6-8 weeks (seasonal +2wks); track online.

Passport Renewal

Eligibility: Issued 16+, <15 years old, undamaged, not lost/stolen.

Mail-in Process (DS-82):

• Include old passport, new photo, check ($130 adult).
• No signing/notary needed.
• Centreville tip: USPS drop-off avoids lines; renew 9mo early.

Ineligible? DS-11 in-person. Mistakes: Blurry photos, wrong fees, omitting old book. Processing: 6-8wks routine, 2-3wks expedited.

Replacement for Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Passport

Immediate Action: File DS-64 online (travel.state.gov) for confirmation—prevents fraud.

Lost/Stolen:

• DS-11 in-person + DS-64/notarized statement (details: when/where/how).
• New photo/ID/citizenship proof.

Damaged:

• Minor OK for DS-82 mail if eligible.
• Severe (tears/water)? DS-11 + damaged book + statement.

Decision Tree:

Lost/Stolen? → DS-64 + DS-11 in-person
Damaged & Eligible? → DS-82 mail
Else → DS-11 in-person

Fees ~$130+; 6-8wks routine. Book facility appts to skip waits.

Child Passport (Under 16)

In-person DS-11 always; both parents or DS-3053 (notarized, 90-day valid) + IDs/birth certs. Validity: 5yrs. Local spike: School trips—start 3mo early. Checklist same as first-time + parental proofs. Rejection risk: Name mismatches.

Passport Acceptance Facilities in Centreville and Nearby

No local agency (for <14-day urgents; nearest Philly/DC). Use these State Dept-authorized spots for DS-11/execution:

• Centreville Post Office
  105 Commerce St, Centreville, MD 21620
  Photos available; appts via usps.com or 410-758-3434. Peaks: Spring/summer.
  Google Maps | USPS Passport Page

• Queen Anne's County Clerk of the Circuit Court
  100 Courthouse Square, Centreville, MD 21620
  Weekdays; appts 410-758-4100. Student seasons busy.
  Google Maps | County Site

Nearby Backups:

• Chester Post Office (10mi): Search USPS locator.
• Easton Clerk (20mi).

What to Expect: 15-30mi

n review/oath; no on-site copies/expedites. Early AM/Tues-Thurs best; peaks fill weeks ahead. Confirm via travel.state.gov locator.

Fees and Payment Methods

Check/money order to "U.S. Department of State"; execution cash/card to facility. See full fees.

Processing Times and Tracking

Standard (as of 2023): Routine 6-8 weeks (mail incl.); expedited 2-3 weeks. Caveat: MD peaks (Mar-Apr spring break, Jun-Aug summer, Dec holidays) add 2-4wks—apply 3-6mo early.

Track: travel.state.gov (app locator number). Urgent: Agencies only w/proof.

Step-by-Step Application Checklist

□ 1. Wizard: travel.state.gov → DS-11/DS-82?
□ 2. Docs: Citizenship orig, ID, photo (pro if unsure)
□ 3. MD Birth Cert? health.maryland.gov/vitalrecords ($10+)
□ 4. Appt: Call facility; arrive early w/sleeves
□ 5. Form: Fill, sign on-site (DS-11)
□ 6. Fees: Separate payments/receipts
□ 7. Submit: Oath/review; get tracking
□ 8. Track/Receive: Secure mail only
□ 9. Renewal Alt: Mail DS-82 kit
□ 10. Issues? Call 1-877-487-2778

Common Challenges and Local Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Expedite in Centreville? +$60 at facility (2-3wks); <14days agency w/itinerary (Philly 4hr).

Renew locally? Mail DS-82 if eligible—no visit.

Urgent child passport? DS-11 both parents; student peaks fill fast.

Birth cert source? MD Health Dept online/mail; $12-24.

Photo fix? New compliant at pharmacies.

Apply when for summer? Now—peaks stretch 6-8 to 10+wks.

MD agency? No; Baltimore processes mail only.

Sources

[1] U.S. Dept of State - How to Apply
[2] [Renew](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-pa

[3] Lost/Stolen Passports: Report immediately online or by mail if your passport is lost or stolen. For Centreville residents, file a police report locally first (common mistake: delaying report, which slows replacement). Use this before applying for a new one.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html

[4] Passport Agencies: For urgent travel (within 14 days) or expedited service (2-3 weeks). Decision guidance: Skip if you have 6+ weeks; nearest agencies serve MD but require appointments—book early. Not for first-time applicants unless emergency.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html

[5] USPS Passport Services: Convenient for routine applications (6-8 weeks). Many Centreville-area post offices offer this—call to confirm acceptance agent availability. Bring completed DS-11 form; common mistake: using wrong form (DS-82 is renewals only).
https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm

[6] Queen Anne's Clerk of the Circuit Court: Ideal local option for Centreville/Queen Anne's County residents for routine first-time or renewal applications. Appointments often required—verify by phone. Pro tip: Courts handle minors too; decision guidance: Choose over USPS if preferring county service, but compare wait times.
https://www.mdcourts.gov/circuit/queenannes/clerk

[7] MD Vital Records: Order birth certificates (proof of citizenship) if born in Maryland—essential for first passports. Online/mail/in-person options; common mistake: ordering uncertified copies (must be certified). Expedite if applying soon.
https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/vitalrecords/Pages/home.aspx

[8] Passport Photos: Must be 2x2 inches, color, white background, taken within 6 months—no selfies, uniforms, or glasses unless medical. Get at pharmacies/CVS/Walgreens near Centreville; top rejection reason—wrong size or poor quality. Bring 2 photos.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

[9] Passport Fees: Check exact amounts (e.g., $130 adult first-time book + $35 acceptance). Pay execution fee separately by check/money order; common mistake: cash only accepted rarely—call ahead. Use fee calculator for child/minor add-ons.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html

[10] Processing Times: Routine: 6-8 weeks (add mail time); expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60). Decision guidance: Apply 10+ weeks before travel; track status online. Centreville locals: Factor in local submission delays.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html