Getting a Passport in Valentine, NE: Local Guide & Steps

By GovComplete Team • Published on:

Location: Valentine, NE
Getting a Passport in Valentine, NE: Local Guide & Steps

Getting a Passport in Valentine, NE

Valentine, Cherry County's "Heart City" amid Nebraska's Sandhills, draws residents for international trips tied to ranching business in Canada, family visits to Europe, or escapes to Mexico during harsh winters. Peaks hit spring for Niobrara River tourism abroad, summer for Costa Rica eco-adventures, and holidays for warmer getaways. Nearby Chadron State students often apply for study abroad, while urgent rancher travel—like livestock sales—demands quick action. Local facilities clog during these rushes, so book early via USPS or county sites.

Pitfalls hit hard in rural spots: appointment blackouts at the post office, photo fails from home printers (glare on white backgrounds), DS-11/DS-82 mix-ups, and minor apps missing one parent's DS-3053. This guide delivers Valentine-tailored steps, checklists, and fixes—verify at travel.state.gov.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick wrong, and you're driving back from Ainsworth empty-handed. Quick decision tree:

Scenario Form Method Why Valentine-Specific?
First-time (never had one or issued <16) DS-11 In-person at acceptance facility Common for new ranch families or post-COVID travelers.
Renewal (issued 16+, <15 years ago, undamaged, in possession, no major changes) DS-82 Mail Ideal for off-peak; skips 1-hour drives to PO.
Lost/Stolen/Damaged DS-64 (report first), then DS-11 In-person Report online instantly; fraud risk high for rural mail theft.
Name/gender change DS-82 (if eligible) or DS-11 Mail or in-person Marriage docs common—attach to renewal.
More pages needed DS-5504 Mail No full reapply; suits frequent Sandhills-to-Canada haulers.

DS-11 vs. DS-82 pitfalls: DS-82 only if eligible—mistake it for damaged passports (always DS-11). Use State Dept wizard: travel.state.gov/passport-wizard. Urgent (<14 days)? Add $60 expedite + proof; nearest agency (Denver) is 7+ hours—fly if possible.

Required Documents and Eligibility

Originals only—no scans. Nebraska births: Get certified long-form from DHHS Vital Records (1-2 weeks processing; order at dhhs.ne.gov).

  • Citizenship: Birth cert (long-form), naturalization cert, prior passport.
  • ID: NE driver's license (REAL ID at Valentine DMV), military ID + photocopy.
  • Photo: 2x2

", <6 months old (details below).

  • Minors <16: Both parents or DS-3053 notarized + relationship proofs.

Forms table:

Purpose Form Source
New/Replacement DS-11 (sign in-person) pptform.state.gov
Renewal DS-82 Same
Lost/Stolen DS-64 Online/mail
Minor Consent DS-3053 Same

Fees (current; confirm at travel.state.gov/fees.html):
Adult book: $130 app fee (to State Dept) + $35 exec (to facility). Child <$16: $100 app + $35 exec. Renewal: $130 (mail). Expedite: +$60. Pay separate checks; cards often OK for exec.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25% rural apps rejected—glare from Sandhills sun, wrong size from Walmart kiosks. Specs: 2x2", white/cream background, 1-1⅜" head height, neutral face, no glasses/selfies/shadows.
Valentine spots: Walmart Photo or CVS—call (402) 376-area codes; confirm passport service. DIY tip: Plain wall, even light. Examples: travel.state.gov/photos.

Where to Apply Near Valentine, NE

No local agency—use acceptance facilities for DS-11 (they witness, seal, forward). Expect 10-20 min visit: ID check, oath, fee collection. No on-site printing. Routine processing starts post-forward: 6-8 weeks total (4-6 at agency + mail).

Key spots (confirm via locator; appts essential):

  • Valentine Post Office: 302 N Green St, Valentine, NE 69201. (402) 376-2833. USPS.com locator.
  • Cherry County Clerk: 901 1st St, Valentine, NE 69201. (402) 376-3423. cherrycountyne.gov.

Nearby (20-50 miles; use USPS tool for status):

  • Ainsworth Post Office (820 N Main St, Ainsworth, NE 69210).
  • Bassett Post Office (202 Clark St, Bassett, NE 68714).

Locator: tools.usps.com/find-location.htm?locationType=passport-office&addressZip=69201.
Hyper-local busy times: Avoid Mon AM (weekend backlog), noon rancher rushes. Peaks: Jan-Mar (winter flights), May-Aug (river season abroad), spring break. Early Wed PM or Fri AM best; book 4-6 weeks ahead.