Getting a Passport in Hattiesburg, MS: Facilities, Steps, Fees

Getting a Passport in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg in Forrest County is a travel hotspot for business trips to Mexico and Europe, spring break jaunts to Cancun, Caribbean getaways, and Gulf Coast cruises. University of Southern Mississippi (USM) students drive surges around semesters and breaks, while urgent needs—like family emergencies or job moves—clash with peak crowds at local facilities. Plan 3+ months ahead to sidestep delays [1].

This guide tailors U.S. Department of State steps for Hattiesburg applicants. Verify all details on travel.state.gov, as changes occur.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick the right form to avoid 25% of rejections from errors [2]. Use the State Department's wizard: https://pptform.state.gov/ [5].

Pro Tip: DS-82 renewals save time for eligible Hattiesburg residents—mail from home. First-timers/USM students often need DS-11 due to no prior passport.

Required Documents and Eligibility

Prove U.S. citizenship and identity. Mismatches cause delays.

• Citizenship: Original/certified birth certificate (Forrest County via MS Vital Records; hospital versions invalid [7]), naturalization cert, or old passport. Bring photocopy.
• ID: MS driver's license (REAL ID ideal), passport, or military ID—name must match exactly.
• Photo: 2x2-inch (see checklist).
• Minors: Both parents or notarized DS-3053 + ID copy.

Fees (current as of April 2024; verify at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html [8]):

Pay State Dept fee by check/money order; execution (cash/check/credit at som

e spots). Expedited delivery +$21.36 optional.

Step-by-Step Checklist for Application

1. Assess and gather: Run wizard [5]. Order Forrest County/MS birth cert online (2-4 weeks [7]). Get pro photo.

2. Fill form: Online at travel.state.gov, print single-sided. Don't sign DS-11 yet.

3. Locate facility: Use official search: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ [11]. Hattiesburg options (verify services/hours/phone):

   Facility	Address	Phone	Notes
   Hattiesburg Main Post Office	200 E Front St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401	(601) 582-3313 [9]	Appointments via usps.com; Mon-Fri typical 10am-2pm passports
   Forrest County Chancery Clerk	110 S 25th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401	(601) 582-3232 [10]	Call to confirm passport acceptance; county records tie-in for births

   Nearby: Search for Petal PO or Laurel (20-30 min drive) via [11].

4. Book slot: USPS online [9]; others call. USM breaks fill 4-6 weeks out.

5. At facility (expect 20-45 min): Present originals + copies. Agent checks, you sign DS-11/take oath, pay, surrender old passport. No passport issued on-site.

6. Track: https://passportstatus.state.gov/ after 7-10 days [12].

7. Delivery: Routine 6-8 weeks (10-14 peaks); expedited 2-3 [1].

Photo Tips (50% rejection rate if off [13]):

• 2x2", color, white background, head 1-1⅜", recent, neutral face, no glasses/hats/selfies.
• Hattiesburg spots: USPS ($15), Walgreens (3800 Hardy St), CVS, UPS Store. Use State photo tool.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

No local same-day. Jackson agency (2 hrs) for some urgents.

Special Cases: Minors and Urgent Travel

Minors (<16): DS-11 in-person, both parents (or DS-3053 notarized). Valid 5 years. USM family apps spike—extra docs scrutiny.

Urgent: Emergencies only (death cert/letter). Call 1-877-487-2778 [14]. MS Gulf travelers: Avoid relying on "business urgent."

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

• Slots full:

Book early; mid-week mornings best. USPS first.

• Photo fails: Pro service; check composition template [13].
• Form errors: Wizard [5]; DS-82 if eligible (no trip needed).
• Doc gaps: Forrest births via state [7]; photocopy everything.
• Delays: Apply pre-USM breaks (Aug/Dec/May); track weekly.

Hattiesburg Passport Acceptance Facilities

Designated spots (post offices, clerks) verify/forward apps—not issue passports. Prep complete form/docs/fees. High USM volume: Early appts, weekdays.

Planning: Avoid Mondays/lunch rushes. Confirm via [11].

Frequently Asked Questions

Renew from Hattiesburg? Mail DS-82 if eligible [3]. Track online.

Passport photos? USPS, Walgreens (3800 Hardy St), CVS—$10-15 [13].

Same-day in MS? No; New Orleans agency w/proof [14].

Expedited vs. urgent? Expedited anytime (+$60, 2-3w); urgent emergencies only [1].

Appointment at PO? Yes, usps.com—USM demand high [9].

Minor timeline? Same, but parental docs add time [2].

Old passport as ID? Yes, if <5 yrs expired + citizenship proof [2].

Forrest County birth cert? Certified from MS Vital Records [7].

USM students? DS-11 common; apply pre-breaks at PO/Chancery.

Sources

[1] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html
[2] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html
[3] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/renew.html
[4] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/lost-stolen.html
[5] https://pptform.state.gov/
[6] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/citizenship-evidence.html
[7] https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,0,72,html
[8] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html
[9] https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm?locationType=passport&address=39401
[10] https://forrestcountyms.gov/clerk
[11] https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
[12] https://passportstatus.state.gov/
[13] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/photos/photo-composition-template.html
[14] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/emergencies.html