How to Get a Passport in Indian Head, MD: Facilities & Steps

Getting a Passport in Indian Head, MD

Residents of Indian Head, Charles County, Maryland—near Naval Support Facility Indian Head and just 30 miles from Washington, D.C.—face high passport demand from military travel, D.C. commuters, and seasonal tourism to Europe or the Caribbean. Peaks in spring, summer, and winter strain local spots like post offices. Plan 9+ weeks ahead to avoid delays. This guide, based on U.S. Department of State resources [1], details forms, local facilities, checklists, pitfalls, and timelines.

Note: Fees, hours, and availability change frequently—verify on iafdb.travel.state.gov [8], USPS.com [9], or by phone before visiting.

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

Pick the wrong form? Expect rejection and restarts. Use this decision tree:

Download forms at travel.state.gov [1]. Not eligible for DS-82? Default to DS-11 in person. Military personnel: DEERS provides valid IDs [1].

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Indian Head

No local passport agency (those are for urgents); use these Charles County acceptance facilities for DS-11. Search iafdb.travel.state.gov [8] for real-time slots—book online or call early. Walk-ins rare; expect 4-6 week routine processing, longer in peaks [1].

Text-based list of key facilities (distances from central Indian Head; verify services/availability):

• Indian Head Post Office: 4045 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head, MD 20640 | (301) 743-5031 | ~0 miles
• Bryans Road Post Office: 3139 Kings Hwy, Bryans Road, MD 20616 | (301) 375-7697 | ~5 miles north
• Charles County Circuit Court Clerk's Office: 200 Enterprise St, La Plata, MD 20646 | (301) 932-3202 | ~15 miles south [10]

Backups: White Plains or Clinton post offices (~10-15 miles). What to expect: 1-2 hour visits; agent verifies docs, oath

s you, witnesses signature, collects fees (two checks: execution to "Postmaster," application to "U.S. Department of State"). Arrive early; peaks mean lines.

Busy times tips: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9-11 AM or 3-5 PM. Avoid Mondays/holidays. Have backups if Indian Head books up.

Required Documents and Forms

Top rejection: Missing originals (no photocopies alone). Maryland birth certificates from Vital Records [11] ($12+; 2-4 weeks; rush available).

DS-11 (In Person):

• Citizenship proof (original + photocopy): Long-form birth cert [11], naturalization cert, old passport.
• ID proof (original + photocopy): MD driver's license, military ID.
• Unsigned DS-11 [2], photo, fees ($130 app + $35 exec + optional $21.36 shipping) [1].
• Name change: Marriage cert.

DS-82 (Mail): Old passport, photo, $130 check to "U.S. Dept of State." Mail to Philadelphia center [3].

Minors: Both parents/IDs or notarized DS-3053; parental birth cert proof [7].

Passport Photos: Specs and Where to Get Them

25% rejections from bad photos [12]. Specs: 2x2", color, white background, head 1-1⅜", neutral face, no glasses/hats/uniforms (recent 6 months).

Local options:

• CVS Pharmacy, 4107 Indian Head Hwy (~0.5 miles): $16.99, digital preview [13].
• Walmart Vision Center, Waldorf (~10 miles): $15 [14].
• AAA Waldorf (members) or Potomac Community Library.

Get 2-4 extras; pros beat home prints.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Applying In Person (DS-11)

1. Confirm form/docs via [15].
2. Order MD birth cert if needed [11].
3. Get/verify photos [12].
4. Complete unsigned DS-11 [2].
5. Book slot [8]; arrive 15 min early.
6. Pay separate checks/money orders [1].
7. Agent reviews/oaths/signs/seals; get tracking receipt.
8. Track at passportstatus.state.gov [16] (updates ~2 weeks in).

DS-82 Renewal:

1. Confirm eligibility [3].
2. DS-82 + old passport + photo (signed back).
3. $130 check; trackable mail.

Expedited and Urgent Travel Services

• Expedited: +$60 at facility [1]; 2-3 weeks (peaks longer).
• Urgent: <14 days travel +$21.36 shipping; D.C. agency appt (1-877-487-2778, itinerary proof) [6]. No local rushes.

Timelines: Routine 6-8 weeks; delays to 10-12+ in peaks [1]. Apply 9 weeks early.

Common Challenges and How to Avoid

Them

• DS-11 vs DS-82 mixup: Renewals ineligible? → DS-11 (common for old/damaged).
• Appt shortages: Book 4 weeks ahead; use Bryans Road/La Plata backups.
• Photo fails: Specs checklist [12]; pro service.
• Minor consent: Absent parent? Notarized DS-3053 or court order [7].
• Delays: Track weekly [16]; call 1-877-487-2778 after 6 weeks.
• Local/MD tips: Military IDs OK; Charles Co. certs via state [11]; avoid spring/summer rushes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Same-day passport in Indian Head? No—routine only. Urgent: D.C. agency [6].

Expedited vs urgent? Expedited 2-3 weeks ($60); urgent agency-only [1].

Indian Head Post Office appt? Yes [8][9].

Renew expiring passport? DS-82 9 months early [3].

Non-consenting parent? Court order/DS-3053 [7].

Charles County birth cert? MD Vital Records [11]—not local.

Track app? passportstatus.state.gov [16].

Passport card for cruises? Yes, closed-loop [1].

Sources

[1] Passports - How to Apply
[2] Form DS-11
[3] Renew a Passport
[4] Lost or Stolen Passport
[5] Change or Correct Passport
[6] Get a Passport Fast
[7] Children Under 16
[8] Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[9] USPS Passport Services
[10] Charles County Circuit Court
[11] Maryland Vital Records
[12] Passport Photo Requirements
[13] CVS Passport Photos
[14] Walmart Passport Photos
[15] Checklist for New Passport
[16] [Check Application Status](https://pas

To check the status of your J-1 sports waiver or amateur sports invitation application (required for certain international athletes competing in the U.S.), visit the U.S. Department of State's Sports Status Online system at https://sportstatus.state.gov/.

Practical Steps

1. Have your DS-160 confirmation number, SEVIS ID, or waiver application number handy—these are mandatory for lookup.
2. Log in or enter details exactly as submitted (case-sensitive); select "Check Status" after input.
3. Results show pending, approved, or denied status with next steps, like printing approval letters for CBP entry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using expired or incorrect confirmation numbers—double-check your email confirmation from the original submission.
• Attempting access without a stable internet connection; use a desktop browser (Chrome/Firefox preferred) over mobile for fewer glitches.
• Ignoring system downtime (typically rare, but check during peak U.S. business hours EST).

Decision Guidance

• Use this if: You're an athlete, coach, or official with a pending sports waiver for events like tournaments—essential before travel.
• Skip if: Your visa is employment-based (H, O) or ESTA-eligible; consult travel.state.gov instead.
• For Indian Head, MD area travelers: Factor in EST time zone for real-time updates; if denied, reapply promptly as processing averages 2-4 weeks, aligning with nearby international travel needs. If urgent, prepare backups like event invites for consulate follow-up.