Passport Guide for Meacham, OR: Forms, Facilities, Steps

By GovComplete Team • Published on:

Location: Meacham, OR
Passport Guide for Meacham, OR: Forms, Facilities, Steps

Getting a Passport in Meacham, OR

Meacham, tucked in Umatilla County's Blue Mountains, offers stunning rural escapes but limited local services for passports. Residents often travel for Canada fishing trips, Mexico getaways, Portland business flights, or Eastern Oregon University student programs. Peak seasons—spring blooms, summer hikes, winter holidays—spike demand, so plan ahead to dodge backlogs at nearby facilities. This guide, based on U.S. Department of State standards, covers pitfalls like photo glare from mountain sunlight or form errors delaying rural drives.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick the wrong form, and you'll waste time driving back. Use this decision tree for Meacham applicants:

Situation Form In-Person? Key Eligibility Check
First-time or issued <16 yrs ago DS-11 Yes No prior passport or old child one
Renewal (issued 16+, <15 yrs old, undamaged, your signature) DS-82 No (mail) Not expired >1 yr; no name change post-issue
Lost/stolen/damaged DS-64 report + DS-82/DS-11 Varies Urgent? Expedite DS-11
Child <16 DS-11 Yes (both parents or consent) ~30% rejected for missing parental docs
Name change/correction <1 yr old DS-5504 Mail Issued within year

Run the State Department's wizard for confirmation. Common Oregon mistake: Using DS-11 for eligible renewals, forcing unnecessary trips to Pendleton (45-min drive).

Step-by-Step Checklist for Your Passport Application

Tailored for Umatilla drives and rural prep—print, check off, expect 15-30 min at facilities.

  1. Eligibility & Citizenship Proof: Original birth cert (Oregon Health Authority if lost, 2-4 weeks), naturalization cert, or old passport. Photocopy ID + proof.
  2. Form: DS-11 (hand-fill, unsigned); DS-82 (mail). Download from travel.state.gov.
  3. Photos: 2x2", white background, no glare/shadows. Pro spots beat home setups.
  4. ID: OR driver's license (REAL ID optional for passports).
  5. Fees: See table; verify current at travel.state.gov/fees.
  6. Appointment: Book via USPS or county sites.
  7. Attend: Arrive early; staff verify docs, witness signature, collect fees, mail app. No passport issued on-site.
  8. Track: Online tracker after 1-2 weeks.

Minors: Parents + IDs or notarized DS-3053.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Meacham, OR

No local options—nearest in Pendleton/Hermiston. Book 4-6 weeks early for peaks; slots vanish fast. Expect verification, signing, fee collection (15-30 min); bring extras like backup photos.

  • Umatilla County Clerk (Pendleton): 725 S. Garden St., Pendleton, OR 97801. (541) 278-6251. Mon-Fri appts; minors OK. ~45-min drive via Hwy 395.
  • Pendleton Main Post Office: 101 S. Main St., Pendleton, OR 97801. (541) 276-6771. USPS services; book here.
  • Hermiston Post Office: 256 W. Hermiston Ave., Hermiston, OR 97838. (541) 567-6611. ~1-hr drive; high-volume.

Search real-time at iafdb.travel.state.gov. Factor winter roads, fuel costs.

Photo Requirements and Common Pitfalls

25-40% rejections from Umatilla's harsh light. Specs: 2x2", head 1-1⅜", neutral face, even north-facing light, no glasses/selfies.

Processing Times, Expediting, and Urgent Travel

Times as of 2023; check travel.state.gov for updates—peaks add 20-50%.

  • Routine: 6-8 weeks.
  • Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60 at facility).
  • Urgent (<14 days, life/death): Seattle agency (6+ hrs drive); call 1-877-487-2778 with proof (itinerary/death cert). Not for vacations.

Apply 10+ weeks early for Oregon surges. Track online.

Fees, Payments, and Additional Costs

As of 2023—verify latest at travel.state.gov/fees. Execution check to "U.S. Department of State"; app fee separate check/card. No cash often.

Type App Fee Execution Expedite Total Adult Book (Routine)
Adult Book $130 $35 +$60 $165
Adult Card $30 $35 +$60 $65
Minor Book $100 $35 +$60 $135

Optional 1-2 day return: +$21+.

Special Considerations for Oregon Residents

  • Vitals: [Oregon Health Authority](https://o

regon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates); Umatilla limited—order early.

  • Students: EOU group appts; check school offices.
  • Rural Travel: Off-peak apps; Walla Walla, WA as backup (~1 hr).

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

  • Slots Full: Refresh USPS locator daily; early AM best.
  • Form Errors: Quiz first; DS-11 signing only on-site.
  • Photos/Minors: Pro photos, notarize consent weeks ahead.
  • Delays: Buffer for weather/drives; peaks hit eastern OR hard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Renew by mail from Meacham? Yes, DS-82 eligible—mail to NPP C. Details.

Summer timelines? Routine to 10+ weeks; expedite shaky—plan early.

Child for exchange? DS-11; Pendleton Clerk student-friendly—call.

Photo rejection? Glare/shadows; use examples at travel.state.gov.

Pendleton PO appt? Required; usps.com.

Lost abroad? Embassy report; DS-64/DS-11 home.

Same-day Umatilla? No; Seattle urgent only.

REAL ID for international? No—passport needed.

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] USPS - Passport Services
[3] Lost/Stolen
[4] Wizard
[5] Oregon Vitals
[6] Photos
[7] REAL ID
[8] Umatilla Clerk
[9] USPS Finder
[10] Facility Search
[11] Urgent
[12] Fees

AK

Aaron Kramer

Passport Services Expert & Founder

Aaron Kramer is the founder of GovComplete and a passport services expert with over 15 years of experience in the U.S. passport industry. Throughout his career, Aaron has helped thousands of travelers navigate the complexities of passport applications, renewals, and expedited processing. His deep understanding of State Department regulations, acceptance facility operations, and emergency travel documentation has made him a trusted resource for both first-time applicants and seasoned travelers. Aaron's mission is to make government services accessible and stress-free for everyone.

15+ Years Experience Expedited Processing State Dept. Regulations