Passport Guide Walled Lake MI: Steps Checklists Local Tips

Q: Trip in 3 weeks?

Expedite ASAP; check weekly.[17]

Q: Photo rejected?

Retake specs exactly; some sites offer on-site.[11]

Q: Passport card?

Same process, cheaper for land/sea.[21]

By GovComplete Team • Published on: January 25, 2026

Location: Walled Lake, MI

Passport Guide Walled Lake MI: Steps Checklists Local Tips

Getting a Passport in Walled Lake, MI

Walled Lake residents in Oakland County enjoy easy access to Detroit Metropolitan Airport for international travel to Canada, Europe, or Florida getaways. Peaks hit spring/summer vacations and winter breaks, with students on exchanges and urgent family trips common. High Michigan demand causes appointment shortages, photo rejections (25-30%), minor consent errors, and form mix-ups like using DS-82 when ineligible. This guide provides Walled Lake-tailored steps, checklists, and pitfalls to avoid.

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

Passports are federal, not state-issued. Use the State Department's wizard first.[6]

Situation	Form	Process
First-time adult (16+) or expired >15 years ago	DS-11	In-person
First-time minor (<16)	DS-11	In-person; both parents or notarized consent
Renewal (issued at 16+, <15 years old, undamaged, no major changes)	DS-82	Mail only
Lost/stolen/damaged	DS-64 + DS-11 (or DS-5504 if <1 year)	In-person

Quick Quiz:

Eligible old passport? → DS-82 mail.
Name/gender change or >15 years? → DS-11.
Minor? → DS-11 + consent. Common mistake: Signing DS-11 early or renewing ineligible passports—delays processing 4-6 weeks.

Required Documents and Proof of Citizenship

Originals only for citizenship proof. Michigan birth certificates from MDHHS take 4-6 weeks; order expedited via VitalChek.[7]

DS-11 Checklist:

Unsigned DS-11 (fill online, print single-sided).[8]
Citizenship: MI birth cert (certified), naturalization cert, or old passport.
ID: MI driver's license (REAL ID OK), military ID.
2x2 photo.
Fees: $130 adult application + $35 execution; minors lower.[9]
Name change: Marriage/divorce docs.

Minors: Both parents/IDs or DS-3053 consent; court order for sole custody.[3]

DS-82 Renewal: Old passport, photo, $130 fee. Mail to National Passport Processing Center, PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.[4]

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

Oakland County sees 25-30% rejections from glare (40%), shadows, smiles, or wrong size.[10] Specs: 2x2", color, white/off-white background, head 1-1⅜", neutral face, no glasses (unless medical, no glare), <6 months old.[11]

Tips:

Avoid home prints; use CVS/Walgreens/USPS ($15).[12]
Examples of rejects: Check State Dept samples.[10] Local spots: Walgreens (2745 Haggerty Rd, Commerce Twp) or nearby USPS.[12][15]

P

assport Acceptance Facilities Near Walled Lake

No city hall service; use Oakland County post offices/clerk offices. High demand requires appointments—book via [14], especially March-August/December.[13] Expect 15-30 min visits: Staff reviews docs, oaths you, collects app. Bring completed form, photo, proofs, fees (check/money order; some cards). Arrive 15 min early.

Streamlined Local List (verify via [14]):

Walled Lake Post Office: 488 N Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, MI 48390. (248) 669-2488.
Commerce Township PO: 31155 Commerce Blvd, Commerce Twp, MI 48390 (5 mi).
Novi PO: 26641 Beck Rd, Novi, MI 48374 (10 min).
Farmington Hills PO: 33039 W 7 Mile Rd (more slots).
Oakland County Clerk (Pontiac): Confirm acceptance.[14]

Planning Tips: Busiest Mondays/midday; go early mornings/late afternoons. Off-peak walk-ins rare—appoint year-round. Renewals by mail only.

Step-by-Step Checklist for In-Person Application (DS-11)

Run wizard; confirm DS-11.[6]
Order MI birth cert (4+ weeks).[7]
Fill DS-11 online, print unsigned.[8]
Get compliant photo.[11]
Prep ID/fees (exact change).[9]
Book appt 4-6 weeks early.[14]
Attend with all; sign on-site.
Pay: App fee to State, execution to facility.
Track after 7-10 days.[16]

Expedited: +$60 (2-3 weeks routine).[17] <14 days urgent: Submit then call 1-877-487-2778.[18]

Processing Times and Realistic Expectations

Routine: 10-13 weeks (no mailing included).[17] Expedited: 7-9 weeks. MI peaks (spring break, summer, holidays) add delays—plan 3-6 months. Track online.[16] Skip "passport parties"—State Dept only.

Special Cases: Minors, Name Changes, and Urgent Travel

Minors: 50% rejections from missing DS-3053; both parents best.[3] Urgent: <14 days needs itinerary proof; Detroit Agency (2+ hr drive).[18] Life/death: Hospital docs. Lost Abroad: Embassy temporary.[20] Cards: $30-65 land/sea (Canada/Mexico).[21]

Frequently Asked Questions

Renew at Walled Lake PO? No—mail DS-82.[4]
Fast MI birth cert? VitalChek (3-5 days).[7]
Trip in 3 weeks? Expedite ASAP; check weekly.[17]
Photo rejected? Retake specs exactly; some sites offer on-site.[11]
Appointment needed off-peak? Yes, high demand.[14]
Business expedite? Standard yes; <14 da

ys needs proof.[18]
REAL ID enough? Yes.[2]
Passport card? Same process, cheaper for land/sea.[21]

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