Getting a Passport in Marietta, OH: Steps, Facilities, Fees

Getting a Passport in Marietta, Ohio

Nestled in Washington County along the Ohio River, Marietta experiences steady passport demand from residents eyeing river cruises, European getaways, Caribbean escapes, family visits overseas, or Marietta College student exchanges. Southeast Ohio's peaks—spring break, summer travel, and winter holidays—spike waits at local facilities amid tourism booms and regional business trips. Sudden urgencies like overseas job relocations or emergencies intensify competition for slots. Aim for 6-8 weeks lead time on routine service or 2-3 weeks expedited to sidestep rush surcharges. This guide delivers targeted steps, pitfalls (e.g., photo glare rejections, early DS-11 signing, overlooked minor consents), and Marietta-tailored decisions to cut delays [1].

Last updated: October 2024. Processing times, fees, and requirements change—always confirm latest details on travel.state.gov.

Choose the Right Passport Service for Your Situation

Match your scenario to the form and method to dodge rejections:

Download single-sided forms from travel.state.gov. Pre-check eligibility via State Dept. wizard to avoid 4-6 week setbacks.

First-Time Passport

Never had a U.S. passport, or prior one issued before age 16? Apply in person at a Marietta-area acceptance facility (post office, clerk)—not mail. Expect 45-90 minutes: document review, oath, fee payment.

Checklist:

• Unsigned DS-11.
• Original U.S. birth certificate (Ohio vital records standard; long-form best) + front/back photocopy.
• Valid photo ID (Ohio DL) + photocopy.
• 2x2" photo (recent, neutral; pharmacy-sourced).
• Fees (separate payments).

Pitfalls: Signing D

S-11 prematurely (invalidates), photocopies only (originals inspected/returned), expired ID sole proof. Processing: 6-8 weeks routine; track online.

Passport Renewal

Consolidate here if eligible: Passport issued at 16+, undamaged, in your possession, <15 years old, no major changes. Ohio river travelers renew often—mail DS-82 saves a facility trip, but ineligible cases default to DS-11 in person.

Eligibility Quiz:

1. Issued when 16+? No → DS-11.
2. Undamaged/in hand? No → DS-11 + DS-64 report.
3. <15 years old? No → DS-11.
4. Name/gender matches? Changes? → DS-11 unless docs provided.

Mail Steps (DS-82):

1. Download/print single-sided from travel.state.gov; fill online/print or hand-black ink (sign at end).
2. Include old passport, new 2x2" photo (specs below), check/money order ($130 adult book).
3. USPS Priority tracked/insured to form address; photocopy all.

Expect: 6-8 weeks (2-3 expedited +$60); track after 7 days. Pitfalls: Blurry photos (25% rejections), wrong form (forces DS-11), unsigned/incomplete. Humid OH storage warps books—inspect first.

Replacement for Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Passport

Step 1: Report immediately via DS-64 (free, online/mail at travel.state.gov)—invalidates it, prevents fraud. Delay risks ID theft.

Step 2: DS-11 in person (no mail). Bring citizenship proof, ID/photocopies, photos, DS-64 proof. Marietta facilities handle; 6-8 weeks routine.

If Abroad: U.S. embassy/consulate.

Pro Tip: Frequent OH travelers (ports/rivers) replace proactively; add passport number to travel insurance.

Child Passport (Under 16)

In-person DS-11 only; stricter for safety. Both parents/guardians appear or absent one sends notarized DS-3053 (ID photocopy, witnesses). Sole custody? Court order.

Checklist Add-Ons: Child's birth cert + photocopy, parents' IDs/photocopies, photos. Pitfalls: No witnesses on DS-3053, faded Ohio certs (reorder from odh.ohio.gov, 7-10 days). Start 4+ months early for family trips.

Passport Acceptance Facilities in and Near Marietta

No local passport agency (nearest: Columbus/Pittsburgh). High-demand spots fill fast—book 4-6 weeks ahead for peaks.

• Marietta Post Office: 207 Front St, Marietta, OH 45750. Call (740) 373-2319 or usps.com [3].
• Washington County Clerk of Courts: 205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750. Call (740) 373-6623 [4].
• Nearby: Belpre Post Office (10 miles); Parkersburg, WV (20 min drive).

Locator: iafdb.travel.state.gov [5]. **What to Ex

pect:** 30-60 min waits peaks (Mon 10am-2pm); early Tues-Thu best. Oath, doc seal; walk-ins rare.

Required Documents: Step-by-Step Checklist

Ohio birth certs from odh.ohio.gov (rush for urgents).

Adult DS-11/DS-82 Ineligible:

1. Unsigned DS-11.
2. Citizenship proof + photocopy.
3. ID + photocopy.
4. Photo.
5. Fees/name change docs.

DS-82 Mail: As renewal section + old passport.

Minor: Above + parental proofs/DS-3053.

Pitfalls: Dark photocopies, non-certified certs.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25% rejections—2x2" color, photo paper, white/off-white background, 1-1⅜" head, neutral (no smile/glasses/shadows/selfies), <6 months old.

Marietta Spots: CVS/Walgreens, USPS/UPS ($15-17). Pitfalls: Fluorescent glare, minor head-touch. Verify: travel.state.gov/photos [7].

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Assess form/eligibility (table above).
2. Gather docs/photo/checklist.
3. Book facility (USPS locator).
4. Attend: Early arrival, originals out, sign/oath on-site (45-90 min).
5. Track: passportstatus.state.gov (week 1+).
6. Receive: 6-8 weeks; expedite step 4.

Mail DS-82: Priority to address.

Fees and Payment

Verify travel.state.gov [9]. Separate: Application to "U.S. Dept of State" (check/MO); execution (~$35) to facility (cash/check).

Book for flights; card land/sea. Add $21.36 1-2 day mail.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine 6-8 weeks (10-12+ OH peaks); no guarantees.

• Expedited: +$60, 2-3 weeks.
• ≤14 Days: Agency appt/proof (life-or-death; 1-877-487-2778).
• 1-2 Day: Agencies only.

Buffer 3-6 months Marietta surges; track weekly.

Quick Reference Checklist

• Form confirmed (DS-11/82).
• Proofs + photocopies.
• ID + photocopies.
• Compliant photo.
• Unsigned form/fees ready.
• Appointment set.
• 8+ week buffer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Same-day in Marietta? No; agencies for urgents [2].

Lost birth cert? Ohio Dept of Health, 7-10 days [6].

Expired 6+ years? DS-11 new [1].

Name change? Marriage cert/court order [1].

Passport card for flights? No, land/sea only [9].

One parent absent? DS-3053 notarized [1].

Peak appointments? Book early, try WV [5].

Sources

[1] travel.state.gov/passports
[2] travel.state.gov/processing-times
[3] usps.com/passports
[4] washingtongov.org/Clerk-of-Courts
[5] iafdb.travel.state.gov
[6] odh.ohio.gov/vital-statistics
[7] travel.state.gov/photos
[8] passportstatus.state.gov
[9] travel.state.gov/fees