Getting a Passport in College Park, MD: Facilities & Checklists

Getting a Passport in College Park, MD

College Park, in Prince George's County, Maryland, buzzes with University of Maryland students and residents jetting off for study abroad, family visits, or quick trips abroad. BWI Airport's closeness amps up demand during UMD breaks like spring semester end and summer—slots at local spots vanish fast. Last-minute rushes for emergencies hit hard, but planning sidesteps 6-8 week waits. This guide localizes U.S. State Department steps with College Park specifics, checklists, and pitfalls like 25% photo rejections [1].

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick wrong? Expect rejection and redo trips [2]. Quick decision tree:

UMD tip: Study abroad needs passport + visa 3 months pre-departure—hit International Student Services early [5].

Passport Acceptance Facilities in College Park and Nearby

Limited local spots mean booking ASAP via phone/website; peaks overwhelm College Park USPS [6]. Facilities witness apps, administer oath, collect fees, seal envelope—no on-site printing. Expect 15-45 min: doc verification, ID check, signature. Bring completed (unsigned) DS-11, proofs + front/back photocopies (8.5x11 white paper), 2x2 photo, fees split (State Dept check; facility cash/check). Walk-ins rare; appointments rule. Busiest: Mondays, noon-2pm, UMD break seasons. Arrive early weekdays; park tight near campus.

• College Park Post Office (primary spot): 4315 Hollywood Rd, College Park, MD 20740. First-time/minors/replacements by appointment; (301) 935-0187 [6].
  View on Google Maps

Prince George's County nearby (10-20 min drive):

• Greenbelt Post Office: 25 Crescent Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20770.
  View on Google Maps
• **Clerk of the Circuit Court, U

pper Marlboro**: 14735 Main St, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (Mon-Fri).
View on Google Maps [7]

Urgent (<14 days travel)? Expedite here with itinerary proof, but slots scarce [1]. BWI Passport Agency for life/death only: (202) 647-0516 screening [8].

Required Documents and Forms

Originals mandatory; photocopy each front/back. Pitfalls: uncertified birth certs (20% fails), no minor consent [2].

• Citizenship: Certified birth cert (MD Vital Records $24 [9]), naturalization cert, old passport. No hospital souvenirs.
• ID: MD driver's license/MVA ID, passport, military [10].
• Photo: One 2x2 (specs below).
• Form: DS-11 (in-person, unsigned till oath); DS-82 (mail).
• Fees: Adult book $130 + $35 execution (USPS); expedited +$60. Kids half app fee [12]. Checks to "U.S. Department of State"; facility separate.

Minors: Parents' IDs + DS-3053 notarized if one absent [4].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25% rejections from bad photos—dorm lighting shadows doom UMD selfies [1,13].

Must-Haves [13]:

• 2x2 inches (head 1-1⅜"), color, <6 months old.
• White background, even light, no shadows/glare/hats (religious/medical ok w/note).
• Direct gaze, mouth closed, no uniforms/filters.

CVS/Walgreens/USPS ($10-15)—pros nail it. Renewals: glue per DS-82; digital exact match.

Step-by-Step Checklist: New Passport or Replacement (DS-11)

First-time/child/damaged. Timeline: submit → 6-8 wks routine.

1. Fill DS-11 at pptform.state.gov; print single-sided, unsigned [11].
2. Citizenship proof + photocopy.
3. ID + photocopy.
4. 2x2 photo (check specs).
5. Fees ready: State check; facility cash/check [12].
6. Minors: DS-3053 notarized/court order [4].
7. Book appt (e.g., College Park PO [6]).
8. Arrive 15 min early w/everything; sign at oath.
9. Pay, get receipt.
10. Track weekly: travel.state.gov [14]. Buffer for PG County mail.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Renewal by Mail (DS-82)

Eligible only—skips lines.

1. Verify: <15 yrs old, 16+ [3].
2. Fill DS-82 online; print [11].
3. Include old passport.
4. Glue new photo.
5. State Dept check [12].
6. Mail: National Passport Processing Center, PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 [3].
7. Track: 6-8 wks [14]. Expedite: +$60, marked envelope.

Expedited and Urgent Services

Routine 6-8 wks—don't chance <6 wks travel [1]. Expedite 2-3 wks (+$60 fee/envelope). Urgent <14 days: in-person expedite + flight pro

of; 50% fail peaks [1]. BWI agency extremes only [8]. UMD winter break? Apply pre-Thanksgiving.

Special Considerations for College Students and Minors

UMD: ISS pushes 3-mo lead for exchanges; no campus facility—PO trek 5-10 min [5]. Breaks spike BWI flights.

Minors: Extra docs (40% more errors); both parents ideal [4].

Lost: PG police report + DS-64 [1].

Birth Cert Rush: MD Vitalchek.com ($37+ expedited) or Annapolis walk-in; 2-4 wks standard [9].

Common Challenges and Tips

• Appts: 4-6 wks ahead; UMD traffic jams Hollywood Rd [6].
• Photos: Reject shadows—skip phone cams.
• Docs: Certified only; MD MVA ID saves [2].
• Renewal Trap: DS-11 ineligible wastes $35 fee.
• Mail Delays: PG County adds 1 wk—track obsessively [14].
• 6-Mo Rule: Many nations deny <6 mo validity—renew early [1].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Same-day in College Park? No. BWI urgent needs emergency proof [8].

Child timeline? 6-8 wks; dual consent key [4].

Expiring soon? Renew at 9 mo; 6-mo validity standard [1].

College Park PO appt? Yes; call/online [6].

UMD on-campus? No; ISS advises, PO nearest [5].

Post-marriage name? Cert w/DS-82/DS-5504 [3].

Winter break expedite? Yes, but September start [1].

Fast birth cert? Vitalchek/MD walk-in [9].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] U.S. Department of State - How to Apply
[3] U.S. Department of State - Renew by Mail
[4] U.S. Department of State - Children
[5] University of Maryland - International Student Services
[6] USPS Passport Locations
[7] Prince George's County Circuit Court
[8] National Passport Information Center
[9] Maryland Vital Records
[10] Maryland MVA
[11] Passport Forms
[12] [Passport Fees](h

[12] Passport Fees
Tip: Always verify the latest fees before applying—adult first-time passports start around $130 plus execution fees, with expedited options adding $60. Common mistake: Using cash or credit cards at acceptance facilities (they require checks or money orders only). For College Park-area applicants, decide on routine (6-8 weeks) vs. expedited (2-3 weeks) based on travel urgency; routine saves money if time allows.

[13] Passport Photo Requirements
Tip: Photos must be exactly 2x2 inches, color, on white/cream background, taken within 6 months, with neutral expression (no smiling). Common mistakes: Headwear unless religious/medical (document required), glasses reflecting light, or poor lighting/shadows. Local pharmacies, UPS stores, or libraries in the College Park area often provide compliant photos for $10-15—get two identical copies to avoid rejection delays.

[14] Passport Status Check
Tip: Use your application locator number (from receipt) to track online after 7-10 days. Expect routine processing in 6-8 weeks from College Park-area facilities; check weekly. Decision guidance: If delayed beyond estimates or urgent travel, consider paid expedited status updates via phone—don't panic early, as 80% process on time.