Hazleton PA Passport Guide: Facilities, Forms & Checklists

Guide to Obtaining a Passport in Hazleton, PA

Hazleton residents in Luzerne County often need passports for flights from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Poconos ski trips, Caribbean vacations, or study abroad from Luzerne County Community College. Peak demand hits in summer, spring break, holidays, and back-to-school, leading to appointment shortages—plan 8-11 weeks ahead for routine service or expedite early. This guide provides decision trees, checklists, tables, and local tips to avoid rejections from poor photos (glare, size issues), incomplete forms, or missing originals like birth certificates, which delay processing by 4-6 weeks.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Match your situation to the correct form using this decision tree—wrong choices trigger rejections and restarts:

• First-time adult (16+), child (<16), lost/stolen/damaged, or ineligible renewal? → DS-11 in person at a local facility.
• Renewing eligible adult passport? → DS-82 by mail (faster/cheaper).
• Urgent (within 14 days)? → DS-11 expedited; life-or-death emergencies qualify for same-day at agencies.
• Name/gender change or passport >15 years old? → DS-11 in person.

Avoid these pitfalls: Hand-fill forms in black ink (no pencils/whites-out), match names exactly across docs, use State Department wizard at travel.state.gov for form picker. Fees: $130 adult book + $35 execution; +$60 expedite. Download/print from travel.state.gov.

First-Time or Ineligible Renewal Applications (DS-11)

Apply in person at Hazleton-area facilities—do not mail or sign DS-11 early. Expect 15-30 minutes: agent verifies docs, administers oath, seals envelope.

Checklist:

1. Download/fill DS-11 (pptform.state.gov; single-sided, unsigned).
2. Gather: Certified birth certificate (original + front/back photocopy), valid ID (PA DL + photocopy), two 2x2 photos (<6 months, white background).
3. For minors: Both

parents/DS-3053 notarized consent, child present. 4. Book appointment (see Facilities section). 5. Pay: Check to "U.S. Department of State" + cash/check for facility fee.

Local tips: Peak waits (summer Fridays) hit 2+ hours; go early weekdays. Track at travel.state.gov after 7-10 days. Routine: 6-8 weeks; expedited 2-3 weeks.

Renewals and Replacements (DS-82 or DS-11)

Renewal eligibility checklist (all yes for DS-82 mail):

• Age 16+ now, issued at 16+.
• Undamaged, <15 years old.
• No major name/gender changes without docs.

If yes: Mail DS-82 + old passport + photos + fees (USPS tracked). Hazleton USPS handles photos/drop-off.

If no (or lost/stolen/damaged): DS-64 online first (travel.state.gov), then DS-11 in person.

Timelines: Routine 6-8 weeks from receipt; add mailing. Replacements add 2-4 weeks for verification.

Pitfalls: Blurry selfies (use pharmacies), no tracking (lost mail delays), assuming DS-11 for eligible renewals (wastes time).

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Hazleton

No local passport agency—use these acceptance facilities for DS-11. They verify, oath, seal (15-30 min). Book via USPS tool: tools.usps.com/find-location.htm?locationType=passport&address=Hazleton%2C+PA+18201 (schedule directly for Hazleton PO/West Hazleton). Walk-ins limited; call to confirm.

What to expect: Busy peaks (Mon 11am-2pm, summer); arrive prepared. Typical USPS hours 9am-5pm Mon-Fri (check locator for exact/dynamic). Urgent? Call 1-877-487-2778 post-appointment.

Required Documents and Photos

Citizenship (original + photocopy): PA birth certificate (raise

d seal; order from health.pa.gov if needed, 2-4 weeks), naturalization cert.

ID (original + photocopy): PA DL, military ID.

Photos: Two identical 2x2" color, white background, head 1-1 3/8", no glasses/hats/smiles/teeth. Hazleton CVS/Walgreens (~$15). Rejections: 25% from glare/shadows—use State tool travel.state.gov/photos.

Minors: DS-3053 notarized (90 days valid).

Fees and Processing

No cards at most facilities. Routine: 6-8 weeks; peaks extend. Track: passportstatus.state.gov.

Step-by-Step Checklists

Adult DS-11:

1. Eligibility check.
2. Docs/photos ready.
3. Form filled/unsigned.
4. Appointment booked.
5. In-person: Sign, pay, seal.
6. Track.

Minor DS-11:

1. Parents/child present + docs.
2. DS-3053 if needed.
3. Photos (child alone).
4. Appointment essential.
5. Fees paid separately.

Common Challenges for Luzerne County

• Seasonal rushes: Book 4-6 weeks early (airport/Poconos travel).
• Student programs: LCCC aids consent.
• PA vitals delays: Order birth certs ASAP.
• Urgent: Philly agency ~2 hours; prove travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Renew at Hazleton PO? No, mail DS-82 if eligible.

Urgent timeline? Expedite 2-3 weeks; <14 days call 1-877-487-2778.

No parental consent? Court order/DS-3053.

Passport card? Land/sea only.

Track app? Yes, after 7 days.

Photo rejection? Retake at pharmacy.

Appointment needed? Yes; use USPS tool.

Lost abroad? U.S. embassy.

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] How to Apply
[3] Lost/Stolen
[4] USPS Passports
[5] Luzerne County
[6] Urgent Travel
[7] [PA Vital Records](https://ww

[7] Pennsylvania Vital Records (Order Birth/Death/Marriage Certificates)
For passport applications in Hazleton, PA, you'll likely need a certified birth certificate (issued within the last year). Order online or by mail from the PA Department of Health—processing takes 3-5 business days standard, longer by mail. Common mistake: Requesting uncertified copies or "informational" versions (not accepted for passports). Tip: Opt for expedited ($20 extra, 2 days) if traveling soon; include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail returns. No local vital records office handles passports—always state-level.

[8] Passport Photo Requirements (U.S. State Department Guidelines)
Photos must be 2x2 inches, color, white/cream/off-white background, taken within 6 months, no glasses/selfies/uniforms. Common mistake: Smiling, shadows on face, or expired photos (rejections skyrocket). Decision guidance: Get them at pharmacies, UPS Stores, or photo shops—avoid home printers. Cost ~$15; bring two identical copies to your appointment.

[9] Passport Fees (Official Fee Chart)
Adult first-time passport book: $130 application + $35 execution (paid at acceptance facility) = $165 total (plus $60 expedited optional). Renewals cheaper ($130 total). Common mistake: Forgetting execution fee or paying wrong method (cash/check only at most facilities—no cards). Tip: Calculate exact fees using their tool; add $21.36 for book+card combo if needed. Fees non-refundable even if denied.

[10] Application Status Check (Track Your Passport)
Enter your last name, date/place of birth, and last 4 SSN digits ~10-14 days after submission. Updates weekly. Common mistake: Checking too early (takes 7-10 days to log). Decision guidance: Routine processing 6-8 weeks; upgrade to expedited (2-3 weeks, +$60) at acceptance if urgent—life-or-death emergencies get priority.

[11] Online Form Filler (DS-11/DS-82/DS-64 Prep Tool)
Download, print on single-sided plain paper, and hand-sign only at interview (no e-sign). Common mistake: Signing early or double-sided printing (automatic rejection). Tip: Use for first-time (DS-11), renewals (DS-82 if eligible), or name changes; save PDF to review before printing. Always verify fields—errors delay processing.