Chisago City MN Passport Guide: Steps, Facilities & Fees

TL;DR: Quick Passport Guide for Chisago City Residents

Key Steps: 1) First-time/child? Use DS-11 in person. Renewal? DS-82 by mail. 2) Gather birth cert (Chisago County Recorder), ID, 2x2 photo, fees. 3) Book appt at local facility. 4) Expect 6-8 weeks standard (2-3 expedited).

Top Local Spots (book via phone/usps.com/iafdb.travel.state.gov; verify hours):

Fees (adult book): $130 app + $35 execution; child $100 + $35. +$60 expedite. Track at travel.state.gov. Urgent? Nearest agency Chicago (6+ hr drive).

Getting a Passport in Chisago City, MN

Chisago City residents in Chisago County apply for passports amid high local demand from family trips, student exchanges at Chisago Lakes schools, and business travel. Peaks hit spring/summer (Europe vacations) and winter breaks, straining slots at city facilities. Watch for photo rejections (shadows/glare common in MN light), minor paperwork gaps, or mixing expedited mail (2-3 weeks, +$60) with true urgent agency needs (travel <14 days). Check travel.state.gov for times—no peak guarantees.

This guide details DS-11 vs. DS-82 decisions, checklists, and Chisago-specific tips to avoid delays.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick wrong? Expect returns and fees.

• DS-11 (In Person): First-time, child <16, prior passport >15 years old or issued <16. Not for mail.
• DS-82 (Mail): Eligible adult renewal only—passport issued <15 years ago when 16+, undamaged, not lost/stolen. Skip if name change lacks docs or expired >5 years.
• Lost/Stolen: DS-64 report (free), then DS-11/DS-82.
• Child: DS-11; both parents or notarized consent.
• Corrections: DS-5504 if <1 year old.

Urgent confusion: Expedited ≠ agency. For <14 days travel, prove with itinerary for Chicago agency slot (call 1-877-487-2778). Chisago spots fill fast—book 4-6 weeks early via ia

fdb.travel.state.gov.

Gather Required Documents: Step-by-Step Checklist

Originals + photocopies (8.5x11 white paper). Rejections spike from incompletes.

1. Citizenship Proof: Birth cert (Chisago County long-form, $20+ at 635 N Main St, Center City; 651-213-8500 or health.state.mn.us, 1-4 weeks). Or naturalization/prior passport.
2. ID Proof: MN REAL ID driver's license preferred.
3. Photo: 2x2", <6 months, neutral expression, no glasses/selfies. Walgreens/Chisago City or CVS/Lindstrom (~$15); measure head 1-1⅜".
4. Form: See table below.
5. Minors: DS-3053 notarized if one parent absent; custody docs.
6. Fees: Pay separate—State Dept check/money order; facility cash/check.

USPS exec $35 (or $19.53? Verify). Passport card cheaper for land/sea.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Chisago City

Consolidated list of verified options (State Dept authorized for DS-11 witnessing/oath; no on-site issuance). Expect 15-30 min visit: docs review, sign DS-11 on-site, fees. Appointments essential (usps.com or call); walk-ins rare. Peaks: Mon midday, summer. Go early Tue-Thu.

Renewals: Mail DS-82 to PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190. No MN agencies—Chicago nearest for urgent.

Step-by-Step Application Process Checklist

For DS-11 (in-person); renewals mail only.

1. Fill form (black ink; no DS-11 sign yet).
2. Prep docs/photo/photocopies.
3. Boo

k appt (4-6 weeks ahead for Chisago peaks). 4. Attend: Originals, sign on-site, pay (State: "U.S. Dept of State"; facility separate). 5. Select service: Standard 6-8w, exp 2-3w (+$60), fast return (+$21). 6. Track after 7 days: travel.state.gov. 7. Receive/verify; report issues fast.

MN tips: Winter tourism surges; students plan 8-11 weeks pre-exchange.

Common Pitfalls and Tips for Chisago City Residents

• Photos (40% reject): Pro service; MN glare shadows common—check specs.
• Slots: Clerk/PO out 2-4w summer; backup North Branch.
• Minors: Fresh DS-3053 (90-day expire); divorced? Court docs.
• Renew Wrong: DS-11 if ineligible wastes $35+.
• Birth Certs: County walk-in Center City for urgent; state for pre-1900.
• What to Expect: 15-30min; agent verifies, oaths you. Organized folder helps.

Business? Expedite + track; avoid holiday rushes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Same-day in Chisago? No—agency only, Chicago 6+hrs.

Expedited vs. Urgent? Exp: mail faster. Urgent: <14d proof for agency.

Post Office Appt? Yes, usps.com; limited spring/summer.

Child Timeline? 6-8w; both parents key snag.

Renew Expired? Yes DS-82 if <15y old.

Birth Cert? County (Center City) or state; 1-4w.

Photo Reject? New one required; no smiles.

REAL ID for ID? Yes.

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html
[2] Passport Agencies: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html
[3] Facility Search: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
[4] MN Vital Records: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.html
[5] Photo Specs: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
[6] USPS Passports: https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm
[7] Chisago City Clerk: https://www.ci.chisago.mn.us/departments/city_clerk/index.php