Portsmouth OH Passport Guide: Apply, Renew & Local Facilities

By GovComplete Team Published on:

Location: Portsmouth, OH
Portsmouth OH Passport Guide: Apply, Renew & Local Facilities

Passport in Portsmouth, OH

Portsmouth and Scioto County residents apply for passports amid local travel peaks: spring break (March-April), summer vacations (June-August), and winter holidays (November-December), driven by Caribbean cruises, Europe trips, Shawnee State University study abroad, or Canada/Mexico crossings. Appointment waits reach 4-8 weeks—book early via travel.state.gov. Routine processing takes 6-8 weeks (start 10-12 weeks ahead); expedited adds $60 for 2-3 weeks. Avoid common rejections (40% photo issues; 25% form errors) per U.S. Department of State guidelines [1]: use 2x2-inch photos (white background, no selfies/glasses), complete forms fully, and pay with checks/money orders only.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Wrong form choice causes 25-30% rejections and return trips—verify eligibility at pptform.state.gov [2].

Your Situation Form In-Person or Mail? Key Requirements & Mistakes to Avoid
First-time (16+) DS-11 In-person only Citizenship proof, photo, ID, fees. Mistake: Attempting mail.
Renewal (16+, issued <15 yrs ago when 16+, undamaged, name matches) DS-82 Mail if eligible Old passport enclosed. Mistake: Name change without docs.
Child under 16 DS-11 In-person; both parents or DS-3053 Parental consent mandatory. Mistake: Single parent absent waiver.
Lost/Stolen/Damaged DS-11 + DS-64 In-person for new Report via DS-64 first. Mistake: Not declaring (fees double).
Name/gender change DS-11 or DS-82/DS-5504 Varies by case Court/marriage docs. Mistake: No legal proof.
Urgent (<6 weeks) Above + expedite In-person preferred Proof for <14 days. Mistake: Mail reliance.

Quick Decision: Mail DS-82 for eligible routine renewals (add 2-week mailing buffer from Portsmouth); use DS-11 in-person for first-timers, minors, urgency, or ineligibility. Prep photocopies of all docs upfront.

First-Time, Lost/Stolen/Damaged, or Minor Passports (DS-11 In-Person)

DS-11 required for first-time applicants (16+), minors (<16), lost/stolen/damaged passports, or changes. Download from travel.state.gov; fill in black ink but do not sign until witnessed (voids 20% otherwise [1]). No mail option—use local facilities below. Appointments via travel.state.gov; walk-ins uncommon.

Core Documents (Originals + Single-Sided Photocopies):

  • Unsigned DS-11
  • Cit

izenship: Certified Ohio birth certificate (odh.ohio.gov [6]; no post-2000 abstracts); naturalization certificate; or prior undamaged passport

  • Photo ID: Ohio DL/REAL ID + photocopy
  • One 2x2 passport photo
  • Fees: Two separate checks/money orders (State Dept application + $35 execution fee to facility [7])

Step-by-Step:

  1. Order/verify birth certificate (1-2 weeks via VitalChek expedited).
  2. Get photo, book appointment.
  3. Arrive 15 min early for 30-60 min process: Staff review docs, witness signature/oath.

Lost/Stolen: Submit DS-64 online first; include Portsmouth police non-emergency report for theft. Damaged: Surrender with written explanation.

Minor (<16) Checklist:

  • Both parents/guardians with IDs (or DS-3053 notarized consent + absent parent's ID copy)
  • Court order if sole custody
  • Mistake: Incomplete parental proof—delays weeks.

Track at passportstatus.state.gov after 5-7 days [10]. For <14-day urgency: Drive to Cincinnati agency (proof required [13]).

Passport Renewal (DS-82 by Mail, If Eligible)

Eligible if 16+, passport issued <15 years ago at age 16+, undamaged, name/gender matches ID, expiring within 5 years. No in-person needed—mail saves Portsmouth-area trips, but add 4-6 weeks for return mailing during peaks.

Steps:

  1. Download/complete DS-82 [1].
  2. Enclose old passport, 2x2 photo, fees ($130 check/$100 card to State Dept [7]).
  3. Send certified mail to: National Passport Processing Center, PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 [11].

Ineligible? Switch to DS-11 in-person. Common mistake: Mailing damaged passports or post-name changes—use facilities instead.

Passport Acceptance Facilities in Portsmouth and Scioto County

Spots limited by local demand (Shawnee State Forest tourism, WV/KY borders). Search iafdb.travel.state.gov [5] or call to confirm passport services/appointments. Nearby alternatives: Ironton (Lawrence County) or Huntington, WV.

  • Portsmouth Post Office: 744 2nd St, Portsmouth, OH 45662. (740) 353-1241. Book at usps.com [3].
  • New Boston Post Office: 115 Main St, New Boston, OH 45662. (740) 456-4141 [3].
  • Scioto County Clerk of Courts: 602 7th St, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Confirm: (740) 355-8260 [4].

What to Expect: 15-60 min visits. Staff verify docs, witness oath; some offer photos/fees. Best: Early mornings, Tuesdays-Thursdays. Arrive prepared to avoid reschedules.