Passport Guide for Maplewood, MO: DS-11, DS-82, Facilities

Getting a Passport in Maplewood, Missouri

Maplewood residents in St. Louis County often need passports for Europe business trips, Mexico family vacations, or Caribbean getaways amid peak seasons like spring break and summer. Local study abroad from Washington University or Saint Louis University spikes demand, alongside urgent family or work needs. Facilities near St. Louis overload in spring/summer and winter holidays—apply 10-13 weeks early for routine (6-8 weeks) or 4-6 weeks for expedited (2-3 weeks +$60) to dodge delays. This guide tailors U.S. Department of State processes [1] with Maplewood tips, decision aids, checklists, pitfalls, and pro tips for seamless results.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Mismatching your situation to the wrong form tops rejection causes, adding 4-6 weeks. Use this table for fast decisions:

Verify at travel.state.gov. Prep 2x2" photos (recent, plain background) via local pharmacies. Print State Department's decision tree if needed.

Quick DS-11 vs. DS-82 Decision Tree

• DS-11 (In-Person Only): No prior passport? Last issued under 16? Lost/stolen/mutilated? Child <16? Major changes (name/gender)?
• DS-82 (Mail OK): Adult passport issued 16+ within 15 years, undamaged, in possession, minor/no changes?
• Unsure? Check passport page 2/3 issue date vs. your age then.

First-Time or New Passport (DS-11)

Covers first-timers 16+, child passports <16, or old/child-issued passports. Always in-person at acceptance facility—no mailing.

Maplewood Steps:

1. Fill DS-11 at pptform.state.gov (print unsigned, single-sided).
2. Collect: Original citizenship proof (MO birth cert via health.mo.gov/data/vitalrecords/ or VitalChek [6]), photo ID + photocopy, 2x2" photo, fees (check state.gov [14]).
3. Book slot via iafdb.travel.state.gov [10]—slots vanish near St. Louis.
4. At facility: Sign on-site, agent seals envelope (10-20 min). Get receipt.

Timelines: Routine 6-8 weeks; peaks add 2-4 weeks. Expedite +$60 for 2-3 weeks.

Pitfalls:

• Sign pre-agent: Void.
• Weak proofs: Use certified MO birth cert (2-4 weeks delivery); fix name mismatches with St. Louis County marriage cert [5].
• Kid apps: Both parents or DS-3053 notarized (banks/libraries nearby).

Pro Tip: Visit mid-week mornings; track at passportstatus.state.gov [12] after 7-10 days.

Passport Renewal (DS-82)

Eligible adults renew by mail—no facility trip.

Eligibility Check:

• Issued 16+, <15 years ago.
• Undamaged, yours, no big changes.

Steps:

1. DS-82 from pptform.state.gov [2].
2. Old passport + new photo (no staple), fees check to "U.S. Department of State".
3. Mail Priority (trackable) to National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 [1].
4. Timelines same as above.

Pitfalls:

• Ineligible mail-in: 15+ years or damaged forces DS-11 redo.
• Old photo: Must be recent—no expiration check, but rejection risk.

Replacement for Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

1. Report DS-64 online immediately (travel.state.gov [3])—prevents fraud.
2. Lost/Stolen/Mutilated: DS-11 in-person + notarized statement (details/circumstances), police report if theft.
3. Minor Damage: DS-82 if eligible; photo evidence.
4. Fees/docs as above.

Pro Tip: For Maplewood, book facility early; imminent travel? Expedite post-submission (1-877-487-2778 [13]).

Name Change or Correction

<1 year post-issue: DS-5504 (no fee if error). Else: DS-82/DS-11 + docs like St. Louis County marriage cert [5]. Use pptform.state.gov tool [4].

Gather Required Documents: Checklist

Adults DS-11:

• Unsigned DS-11 [2].
• Citizenship original + photocopy (MO vital records [6]).
• ID + photocopy.
• Photo.
• Fees [14].
• Name docs [5].

DS-82:

• Signed DS-82.
• Old passport.
• Photo.
• Fees.

Kids DS-11:

• Parents/DS-3053.
• Child cert/ID.
• Higher fees.

Order MO certs early (1-4 weeks) via VitalChek.

Passport Photos: Specs and Local Options

25-30% rejections from photos. Strict: 2x2", <6 months, 1-1⅜" head, neutral, no glasses/selfies/shadows [7].

Checklist:

• Size/background/expression/attire as listed.
• Validate: tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo [8].

Maplewood spots like CVS/Walgreens ($15-17) comply reliably—request "State Dept specs".

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Maplewood

No local agency (St. Louis handles emergencies <14 days [9]). Use post offices/libraries via iafdb.travel.state.gov [10] for real-time slots.

Key Nearby:

• Maplewood Post Office (7145 Manchester Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143): Call (314) 644-6622 [11].
• Richmond Heights Station Post Office (2600 S Big Bend Blvd, Richmond Heights, MO 63143).

What to Expect: 10-20 min if prepped; agent oaths/seals. Bring all—no on-site photos/forms. Book 4-6 weeks ahead (peaks: Mon midday, holidays). Early weekdays best; walk-ins risky.

Step-by-Step Application Checklist

DS-11:

• Prep docs/appointment.
• Arrive early, sign on-site.
• Receipt/track [12].

DS-82:

• Mail tracked.
• Track postmark.

Urgent <14 days: Post-apply call 1-877-487-2778 [13].

Fees and Processing Times

Current Fees/Times: Always verify travel.state.gov/passports/how-apply/fees.html [14] and /need-fast.html [1].

• Routine: 6-8 weeks (peaks +2-4).
• Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60).
• Execution: $35 (facility).
• Urgent delivery: +$22+.

Check/money order; some cards [11].

Special Notes for Minors and Families

Both parents/DS-3053 (90-day validity). Local notaries at banks. University exchange rushes? Buffer extra weeks.

Pro Tips and Common Mistakes for Maplewood Locals

• Bookings: USPS locator first [10].
• Delays: MO certs/VitalChek [6]; peaks from St. Louis travel.
• Urgent Mixup: Expedited ≠ life-or-death.
• Photos/Docs: Tool-validate [8]; certified only.
• Tracking: 7-10 days wait [12].

Frequently Asked Questions

Walk-in possible? Rare—book [10].
Birth cert time? 1-4 weeks; VitalChek faster [6].
3-week trip? Expedite now [13].
Name change? County cert [5].
Walgreens photo? Yes if specs met [7][8].
Track? passportstatus.state.gov [12].
Lost abroad? DS-64 + embassy [3].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] Passport Forms
[3] Lost/Stolen Passports
[4] Passport Form Filler
[5] St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
[6] Missouri Vital Records
[7] Passport Photo Requirements
[8] Passport Photo Tool
[9] Passport Agencies
[10] Acceptance Facility Search
[11] USPS Passport Services
[12] Passport Status Check
[13] Expedited Service Info
[14] Passport Fees