Bellmawr NJ Passport Guide: First-Time DS-11, Renewals & Facilities

Getting a Passport in Bellmawr, NJ

Bellmawr residents, just 10 miles from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)—which handled over 40 million passengers in 2023—often need passports for quick getaways to Europe, the Caribbean, or family visits abroad. Peak seasons (spring break, summer vacations, winter holidays) strain local facilities due to Camden County's high outbound travel volume. Plan 10-13 weeks ahead for routine processing amid backlogs, or expedite wisely. Avoid pitfalls like unbooked appointments (slots vanish in days), mismatched forms (DS-82 only for eligible renewals), photo fails (glare/off-specs reject 25% of apps), missing minor consents, or mailing ineligible apps. Use the State Department's passport wizard for instant eligibility checks, pro photos from local pharmacies, and this tailored guide for seamless success.

View interactive map of Bellmawr-area facilities

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Use this decision tree to pick DS-11 (in-person new app) vs. DS-82 (mail renewal) and dodge resubmits:

Start → First-time, minor <16, lost/stolen/damaged, expired >15 yrs, or passport card only?
├── Yes → DS-11 in person at acceptance facility (book appt ASAP)
└── No → Eligible renewal? (Issued age 16+, <15 yrs old, undamaged, current name)
    ├── Yes → DS-82 by mail (6-8 wks standard)
    └── No → DS-11 in person

Pro Tip: Camden-area demand spikes near PHL flights—first-timers book 3-4 weeks out. Track live processing at State Dept times.

First-Time Passport (DS-11)

Must apply in person only at an authorized passport acceptance facility (searchable via travel.state.gov). Download and complete but do not sign Form DS-11 from pptform.state.gov—agent witnesses signature on-site. Expect 1-2+ hour waits (longer in high-volume areas like South Jersey during peak seasons: summer, Mondays, holidays); arrive early with all docs organized in clear plastic sleeves for faster review.

Who needs it (decision guide): First-time applicants; minors under 16 (both parents/guardians required); naturalized/recent citizens; or prior passport expired >15 years ago or issued before age 16. Renewal eligible? Use DS-82 by mail instead if your old passport expired <5 years ago, is undamaged, and was issued ≥16 years old—saves time/money (check travel.state.gov eligibility tool first).

Prep checklist (NJ-specific tips):

• Citizenship evidence: Original U.S. birth certificate with raised/embossed seal (NJ short-form uncertified copies rejected 90%+ of time—order certified long-form from vital records); naturalization cert; or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Never use photocopy alone.
• ID proof: Valid driver's license (NJ REAL ID preferred but not required), military ID, or gov't employee ID + photocopy of front/back on standard 8.5x11" white paper.
• Photo: One 2x2" U.S. spec color photo (<6 months old, white/light background, neutral expression, no glasses/selfies/home prints). Use pharmacy/CVS/Walgreens service ($15, quick)—wrong specs cause 25% rejections.
• Fees: Application ($130 adult/$100 child) + $35 execution + optional $21.36 mail speed. Pay by check/money order (two separate); cash rare. Expedite? Add $60 (+overnight fees).
• Forms: DS-11 + DS-64 if lost prior + photo submission release if needed.

Timeline: Routine: 10-13 weeks (from receipt); Expedite: +$60 for 7-9 weeks (request at submission, get tracking). Track at travel.state.gov—add 4 weeks for mailing.

Common pitfalls & fixes:

• Pre-signing DS-11: Automatic rejection—print fresh form.
• Missing originals/photocopies: No waivers; reapply delays 2-4 weeks.
• NJ birth cert issues: Hospital "souvenir" or laminated = invalid; verify raised seal/seal intact before going.
• Photo fails: Smiling, shadows, wrong size—test specs at travel.state.gov/photo tool.
• Incomplete apps: Forgetting parental consent for kids or fees split—double-check checklist. Pro tip: Call facility ahead for appt. policies (some NJ spots require); print extra copies; bring pen. Rejections cost time—prep perfectly to avoid 30%+ error rate.

Renewal (DS-82)

Mail-only if eligible. Inspect old passport: tears? Water marks? → DS-11 instead.
Checklist: Age 16+ at issue, <15 yrs old, undamaged, name matches (or add docs).
Process: DS-82, old passport, photo, check to State Dept. Mail Priority to Philly center.
Pitfalls: Early renewal OK (9 mos pre-expire), but ineligible mail-ins return unpaid, delaying 2+ wks.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

Lost or Stolen Passports:
Start by immediately filing Form DS-64 online at pptform.state.gov—this officially reports the loss/theft and invalidates the passport to prevent misuse. Next, apply for a replacement using Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility (common at post offices or clerks of court). For theft, obtain a police report from your local NJ department first and attach it to your DS-11 application—without it, processing may be delayed or denied.
Common mistakes: Delaying the DS-64 (do it ASAP to avoid fraud liability); assuming a police report isn't needed for theft (it is required); trying to renew instead of using DS-11 (renewals won't work for lost/stolen).
Decision guidance: If you need travel within 2-3 weeks, expedite at a facility; otherwise, standard processing (6-8 weeks) applies. Bring proof of citizenship, ID, photo, and fees.

Damaged Passports:
Always apply in person with Form DS-11—no mail, renewal, or online options. Surrender the damaged passport at submission; minor damage (e.g., water stains) still requires replacement if it affects usability or security features.
Common mistakes: Mailing it anyway (will be rejected and returned); using DS-82 renewal form (invalid for damage); ignoring tears/rips that seem "minor" (inspect for any compromise).
Decision guidance: If damage is cosmetic but passport is fully intact and machine-readable, you might delay replacement—but replace proactively before travel to avoid border issues. Expedite if urgent; bring all standard documents plus the damaged passport.

Name Changes or Extra Pages

Name Changes:
Provide certified copies (not photocopies) of marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders proving your legal name change. Pair with Form DS-82 for mail-in renewal (if eligible: passport issued <15 years ago when ≥16, undamaged, issued in your current name) or Form DS-11 for in-person new/renewal applications.

Practical clarity: Eligibility check on state.gov first—saves trips to NJ acceptance facilities. Bring original docs for verification; clerks won't accept uncertified copies.
Common mistakes: Using expired docs, forgetting to sign forms exactly as name changed, or mailing DS-82 without certified evidence (leads to rejection/return).
Decision guidance: Opt for DS-82 to avoid lines if eligible; otherwise, DS-11 ensures faster processing for complex changes.

Extra Pages:
Request the 52-page passport book (vs. standard 28-page) directly on your DS-82/DS-11 application—no extra fee. Cannot add pages to an existing passport.

Practical clarity: Ideal for frequent travelers (e.g., multiple international trips/year). Renew up to 9 months early if low on visa stamps/pages.
Common mistakes: Assuming pages can be added later or requesting post-issuance (not possible—full renewal required).
Decision guidance: Choose 52-page if planning 5+ trips soon; otherwise, standard suffices and keeps your passport compact. NJ facilities handle both seamlessly.

Passport Card (Land/Sea Only)

Cheaper wallet card for Canada/Mexico drives, closed-loop cruises. Same forms/fees as book but $30/$15 adult/minor app. Not for planes. Pitfall: Itinerary must loop U.S.

Minors Under 16

DS-11 in-person; both parents or DS-3053 notarized consent + absent parent's ID copy. Court order for sole custody.

Local Passport Acceptance Facilities in Bellmawr and Camden County

High PHL traffic means appointments book fast—use USPS locator or State search. County clerks skip passports; post offices rule. Expect 30-90 min visits: parking tight on White Horse Pike, arrive 15 min early.

• Bellmawr Post Office: 223 S White Horse Pike, Bellmawr, NJ 08031. (856) 933-5341. Appts required.
• Runnemede Post Office: 238 N Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078. (856) 939-4566.
• Glendora Post Office: 1319 Chews Landing Rd, Glendora, NJ 08029. (856) 939-3508.
• Camden Main Post Office: 401 Market St, Camden, NJ 08102. For overflows.

Local Hack: White Horse Pike congestion? Alternate via Rt-42 to Runnemede (5 min drive). No walk-ins—call ahead.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Preparing Your Application

1. Run wizard for form (DS-11/82).
2. Citizenship: Original birth cert (NJ: VitalChek $25 rush) + copy.
3. ID: NJ Real ID DL + copy (expired <2 yrs OK).
4. Photo: 2x2", <6 mos (validator tool).
5. Minors: DS-3053 if needed.
6. Fees/checks prepped (table below).
7. Book appt 2-4 wks out.
8. Copies: All docs front/back.

Mail DS-82 to: PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.

What to Expect On-Site: Agent swears oath, reviews (no fixes allowed), collects fees, issues receipt. Kids: Keep calm—snacks help waits.

Document Requirements Table

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Pitfalls

Specs: 2x2", head 1-1⅜", neutral face, white bg, no filters/glasses/shadows. Bellmawr: CVS (101 S Black Horse Pike, ~$15), Walgreens. Rejects? 25% from glare/size—use photo tool.

Fees and Payment Table

App: Check to "U.S. Dept of State". Exec: Facility-specific (check/money order). No cash at most.

Processing Times and Expediting

Check live: Processing Times. PHL proximity? Still plan buffers—holidays double times. Urgent (<14 days): Local first, then 1-877-487-2778.

Tracking and Aftercare

7-10 days post-app: passportstatus.state.gov w/ receipt #. Issues? 1-877-487-2778. On receipt: Scan pages, test validity tool.

FAQs

Advance planning in Bellmawr? 10-13 wks routine; 3-4 wks for appts. PHL peaks overwhelm.
Mail renewal? Yes for DS-82 eligibles—to Philly PO Box.
2-week trip? Expedite local, then agency.
Birth cert? NJ VitalChek or Trenton PO Box 370.
Photo reject? Glare/size—remake w/ tool.
Bellmawr PO walk-in? No—call 856-933-5341.
Solo child app? No—dual consent req'd.
Lost passport? DS-64 + police rpt → DS-11.

Sources

• [1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
• [2] State Department Passport Acceptance Facility Search
• [3] USPS Location Finder - Bellmawr
• [4] Camden County Clerk
• [5] New Jersey Vital Statistics