Getting a Passport in Odell, OR: Steps & Nearby Facilities

Getting a Passport in Odell, OR

Nestled in Hood River County's orchards along the Columbia River Gorge, Odell residents often need passports for cross-border trips to Canada during harvest season, summer hikes in Europe, or family visits abroad. Peak demand hits in spring (pre-summer travel), holidays, and winter escapes, straining nearby facilities amid agricultural worker rotations and tourism surges. Last-minute needs—like emergencies or sudden student exchanges from Hood River Valley High—risk delays from appointment shortages, photo glitches, or form errors (e.g., signing DS-11 too early). This guide cuts through confusion with Odell-tailored steps, checklists, and tips drawn from U.S. Department of State rules to get you processed fast [1].

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

Pick the wrong form, and you'll restart—common mistake wasting weeks. Use the State Department's tool: travel.state.gov/passports/need-passport [1].

• First-Time or New (DS-11): No prior passport, issued before age 16, or over 15 years old; minors under 16; name/data changes post-correction window. In-person only at facilities—no mail/renewal eligibility. Expect oath, document review (10-20 min).

• Renewal (DS-82): Passport issued age 16+, within 15 years, undamaged/not lost. Mail from home—saves trips unless adding pages or major changes. Avoid if expired >15 years (treat as DS-11).

• Lost/Stolen/Damaged: File DS-64 online first, then DS-82 (if eligible) or DS-11. Expedite for urgent trips.

• Corrections: DS-5504 by mail (free, within 1 year); otherwise, new app.

• Extra Pages: DS-82 renewal only.

Minors always DS-11 with parental consent—airlines check strictly.

Required Documents Checklist

Oregon twist: Grab certified birth certificates from Hood River County Clerk (601 State St, Hood River; $25+, 1-2 weeks) or Oregon Health Authority online ($28+ via VitalChek) [2]. No photocopies alone—bring originals + copies.

DS-11 (New/Minor):

1. Citizenship proof: Oregon long-form birth cert (short rejected), naturalization cert, old passport.
2. Photo ID + front/back photocopy: OR driver's license/DMV ID.
3. 2x2 photo (recent, pro specs).
4. Unsigned DS-11 (fill on-site).
5. Fees: $130 State Dept (check/money order); $35 facility (cash/check); +$60 expedite.
6. Minors: Both parents' IDs/presence or DS-3053 (notarized <90 days) + child's birth cer

t.

DS-82 (Renewal, Mail):

1. Current passport (canceled upon receipt).
2. Signed DS-82 (single-sided).
3. 2x2 photo.
4. $130 check to State Dept (+$60 expedite, $19.53 USPS mail).
5. Send to: National Passport Processing Center, PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.

Replacements blend these + DS-64. Triple-check completeness—rejections spike here.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25-30% of Oregon apps bounce on photos [4]. Glare from Gorge sunlight, poor home lighting, or off-size heads are local pitfalls.

• 2x2 inches (head 1-1⅜"), color, white/off-white background.
• Front-facing, eyes open/neutral, no glasses/hats/shadows.
• Pro shot <6 months—CVS/Walgreens in Hood River (~15 miles) for $15; Hood River Post Office on-site.

Skip selfies; facilities reject them.

Acceptance Facilities Near Odell

No in-Odell site—drive 5-30 min north. Expect: ID scan, oath, fee collection (10-30 min); no photos usually. Book via usps.com/passport (slots vanish 4-6 weeks out in peak seasons). Walk-ins rare; arrive early weekdays, avoid Mondays/noon rushes. Verify hours/phone—changes common.

Static Map Fallbacks & Directions (Google Maps may not embed everywhere):

• Parkdale PO on Google Maps | From Odell: Hwy 35 N 5 miles (~8 min).

• Hood River PO on Google Maps | Hwy 35 N 15 miles (~20 min).

• Hood River County Clerk on Google Maps | Hwy 35 N to I-84 W, 16 miles (~25 min).

• Parkdale Post Office (closest): 4987 Hwy 35, Parkdale, OR 97041. Mon-Fri 9-11AM appt. (541) 352-7181 [3].

• Hood River Post Office: 1105 13th St, Hood River, OR 97031. Mon-Fri 10AM-2PM, Sat 10AM-1PM. Photos avail. (541) 386-5141 [3].

• Hood River County Clerk: 601 State St, Hood River, OR 97031. Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4PM. (541) 387-5104 [5].

Urgent? Portland agency 1.5 hrs west (appt 1-877-487-2778, proof needed).

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine: 6-8 weeks. Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60). Urgent (<14 days): Agency only (+fees, itinerary req'd, ~$100+ total extras). Hood River backlogs add 2-4 weeks in summer/winter—apply 3-6 months early. Track: travel.state.gov (need fee #, 7-10 days post-submission) [1].

Special Considerations for Minors and Families

DS-11 mandatory; both parents or DS-3053 (notary at UPS/banks/clerk). Hood River Valley exchanges? Start 8+ weeks ahead—harvest absences complicate consent. Airlines verif

y; no consent = no boarding [1].

Overcoming Oregon-Specific Challenges

Gorge tourism/fruit workers flood Hood River sites—book far ahead. Common errors: Early DS-11 signing, short-form births, glare photos. No same-day local; mail renewals to skip lines. Winter snow/roads delay mail—use tracking. Vital records: County Clerk fastest for locals [2][5].

Frequently Asked Questions

Same-day in Odell? No agency—Portland for urgents only [1].

Expedited vs. urgent? Expedited for facilities (2-3 wks); urgent agency-only (<14 days) [1].

Expired 10+ years? DS-11 new app [1].

Post-marriage name change? DS-5504 if <1 yr; else new [1].

Solo parent travel? DS-3053 req'd [1].

OR birth cert? VitalChek or Hood River Clerk [2].

Track status? travel.state.gov post-7 days [1].

Passport card OK? Land/sea to Canada/Mexico, not flights [1].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] Oregon Health Authority - Vital Records
[3] USPS Passports
[4] State Dept - Photos
[5] Hood River County Clerk