Hopkins MN Passport Guide: Forms, Photos, Local Facilities

Getting a Passport in Hopkins, MN

Hopkins residents in Hennepin County frequently apply for passports due to international business to Europe and Asia, family vacations to Mexico or the Caribbean, and seasonal escapes to Florida or Central America during Minnesota's harsh winters. Proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP, about 20 minutes away) drives peak demand in spring, summer, and holiday breaks, when local post office and county appointments book out weeks ahead. Students on Europe exchange programs and urgent family emergencies add pressure. Pitfalls like photo rejections (shadows, glare, sizing), wrong forms (DS-11 vs. DS-82), or missing minor consents cause 40% of delays—plan 2-3 months ahead, including 1-2 weeks for birth certificates.1

This Hopkins-tailored guide uses U.S. State Department standards to help you avoid errors, with local facilities, timelines, and checklists.

Choose the Right Passport Service for Your Needs

Pick the process based on your history to save time and fees. Hopkins has no passport agency (reserved for verified life-or-death emergencies within 14 days); use acceptance facilities for new applications.3

Verify eligibility online first—many Hopkins business travelers pick DS-82 wrongly, delaying restarts. Download forms from travel.state.gov; fill online but print unsigned for DS-11.1

Gather Required Documents and Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

Delays hit 50% of apps from missing items. Prepare everything pre-appointment.

• Citizenship Proof: Original/certified birth certificate (MN births: order from MN Dept. of Health online/vitalrecords or Hennepin County Recorder—1-2 weeks standard, $30).5
• Identity Proof: MN driver's license, enhanced ID (from Hennepin), passport, or military ID.
• **Social Se

curity Number**: Required; print proof if no card.1

• Photocopies: Front/back of each doc on 8.5x11 white paper.1
• Minors: Child's birth cert, both parents' IDs/consent (DS-3053 notarized if absent), court orders for custody.

Pro tip: Order MN birth certs early via health.state.mn.us—rush adds $20, still 5-10 days in peaks.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25-30% of rejections are photos. Must be: 2x2", color, white/off-white background, <6 months old, head 1-1 3/8" tall, neutral face/eyes open, no glasses/selfies/uniforms (medical/religious exceptions ok).8

Hopkins spots (call ahead):

• CVS Pharmacy (1300 MN-7, Hopkins, MN 55305): $16.99, digital review for compliance.9
• Walgreens (Minnetonka, ~5 min drive): $14.99, same specs.9

Expectations: 5-min service. Home prints fail on glare/shadows—glasses off unless Rx note.

Find and Schedule at Hopkins-Area Acceptance Facilities

Limited Hopkins slots fill fast—book via official tools 4-6 weeks early. Expect 20-45 min appointments: staff verifies docs, you sign DS-11 under oath, they seal/submit. No walk-ins; arrive 15 min early with organized folder. Pay execution fee on-site (check/money order).3

Key spots (distances from Hopkins City Center, verify via links):

• Hopkins Post Office (121 2nd St NE, Hopkins, MN 55343): DS-11 new/child apps. Book: USPS Locator. ~2 min drive.10
• Hennepin County Service Center - Hopkins Area (1400 Lilac Dr N, Plymouth, MN 55441—~8 min/5 miles northwest): Full processing. Book: Hennepin Passports or call 612-543-5252.7
• Overflow: Excelsior Post Office (7 min east); Eden Prairie (15 min south). Search all: State Dept Locator.3

Busy times: Mondays/midday peaks; aim early weekdays. Fees: $35 execution (non-refundable).