Getting a Passport in Huntingdon, PA: Steps, Facilities, Fees

Getting a Passport in Huntingdon, PA

Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, residents frequently need passports for international trips, including Juniata College study abroad programs, regional tourism peaks in spring and summer, winter breaks, and urgent family or business travel. Local facilities experience high demand, with limited appointments during these seasons. This guide provides a step-by-step process based on U.S. Department of State guidelines [1], including checklists, fees, common pitfalls like photo rejections and form misuse, and Huntingdon-specific tips.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Choose the right form and method to avoid delays—misusing DS-11 for an eligible renewal is a top rejection reason.

• First-Time Passport: Use DS-11; apply in person at an acceptance facility [1].
• Renewal: Eligible if prior passport issued at 16+, within 15 years, undamaged, and not lost/stolen. Use DS-82 by mail (no in-person needed unless name/gender change or extra pages) [1]. Huntingdon applicants often miss eligibility, causing unnecessary visits.
• Lost, Stolen, or Damaged: Report with DS-64 (free), then DS-82 by mail if eligible or DS-11 in person [1].
• Child Under 16: DS-11 in person; both parents/guardians required or notarized DS-3053 consent. Local minor applications fail without full parental docs [1].
• Updates (Name, Gender, Pages): Mail DS-82 if recent passport; otherwise DS-11 in person [1].

Download forms and checklists from travel.state.gov [1]. For travel within 14 days, expedited service (+$60, 2-3 weeks) differs from life-or-death urgent (agency visit) [2]—plan ahead.

Locate Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Huntingdon

Huntingdon has no passport agency (nearest in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh for urgent cases [1]). Use these acceptance facilities for DS-11 applications; they verify docs, witness signatures, and forward to processing centers. Book appointments early via phone or usps.com/scheduler [3], as Juniata students and seasonal travel fill slots (4-6 weeks ahead recommended). Call to confirm photos, hours, walk-ins, and services—high demand causes waits.

Key Facilities in/near Huntingdon County (ZIP 16652):

• Huntingdon Post Office
  135 Penn St, Huntingdon, PA 16652
  Phone: 814-643-3512
  Offers passport photos (confirm availability); appointments required, limited walk-ins [3].
  [USPS Location](https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm?locationType=passport&address=135+Penn+St

+Huntingdon+PA+16652)

• Mount Union Post Office (10 miles south)
  31 E Shirley St, Mount Union, PA 17066
  Phone: 814-542-2571
  Appointments preferred [3].
  USPS Location
• Huntingdon County Courthouse - Clerk of Courts
  223 Penn St, Huntingdon, PA 16652
  Phone: 814-643-2747
  Handles passports; hours vary, call ahead [4].
  County Site

Search more via iafdb.travel.state.gov [5]. Expect 15-45 minute visits: agent reviews docs, you sign forms, pay fees. Weekdays early morning or late afternoon best; avoid Mondays and peaks.

Gather Required Documents: Step-by-Step Checklist

Use originals (photocopy citizenship/ID on 8.5x11 white paper). PA birth certificates from Dept. of Health Vital Records (health.pa.gov, 3-5 days) [6].

First-Time Adult (DS-11):

1. Citizenship proof (birth cert, naturalization cert, prior passport) + photocopy.
2. Identity proof (PA driver's license, etc.) + photocopy.
3. 2x2 photo.
4. Unsigned DS-11.
5. Fees.
6. Appointment confirmation.

Child Under 16 (DS-11):

1. Child's citizenship proof + photo + unsigned DS-11.
2. Both parents' IDs + presence, or DS-3053 notarized consent.
3. Parental proof (birth/marriage certs) if names differ [6].

Renewal (DS-82, Mail):

1. Old passport.
2. New photo.
3. Signed DS-82.
4. Fees (check to State Dept.).

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25% of rejections stem from photos [7]. Requirements:

• 2x2 inches (head 1-1 3/8 inches).
• Color, white/cream background, neutral expression, no shadows/glare/glasses (unless medical note).
• Eyes open, full face.

Get at Huntingdon Post Office ($15-16), Walmart, or CVS [3]. Avoid selfies/home prints—local fluorescent lights cause glare issues. Agent rejects on-site if non-compliant.

Fees and Payment

Separate State Dept. (check/money order) and facility ($35 execution, cash/check/card) fees [1]:

• Expedited: +$60 (2-3 weeks).
• 1-2 Day Return: +$21.36. Details: travel.state.gov/pay [1].

Application Process: Detailed Step-by-Step Checklist

In-Person (DS-11):

1. Download/fill DS-11 (unsigned) [1].
2. Gather docs/photo/checklists.
3. Book appointment (call

facility/USPS). 4. Arrive early: present docs, sign DS-11, pay. 5. Receive receipt; track after 1 week at passportstatus.state.gov [8].

Mail Renewal (DS-82): Follow form instructions; certified mail to State Dept.

Routine: 6-8 weeks [1]. Pickup/mail return (notify facility for hold).

Urgent (<14 Days): Expedite in person + book Philadelphia agency appt. (1-877-487-2778, ~3-hour drive) [9]. Life-or-death: same-day possible [1].

Processing Times and Expediting

• Routine: 6-8 weeks (longer peaks).
• Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60). Track: travel.state.gov [8] (email/text alerts). PA student/business travel delays times—apply 8-11 weeks early.

Common Challenges in Huntingdon Area

• Appointment Shortages: Juniata surges + tourism; book early.
• Form Errors: DS-11 for renewals; missing minor consents.
• Photos/Docs: Glare, uncertified PA births [6,7].
• Timelines: Peaks extend waits; expedited no <14-day guarantee.
• What to Expect: 15-45 min verification/oath; rejections for incompletes (reapply free of State fee).

Double-check via checklists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How far ahead for Huntingdon passport?
8-11 weeks; more in peaks [1].

Renew by mail from Huntingdon?
Yes, DS-82 if eligible [1].

PA Birth Cert?
Vital Records (health.pa.gov) [6].

Urgent <14 Days?
Expedite + Philly agency [9].

Huntingdon PO Walk-Ins?
Limited; call 814-643-3512 [3].

Expedite Guarantee?
No, +$60 for 2-3 weeks [1].

Child Passport, Parents Absent?
DS-3053 notarized from both [1].

Photo Rejected?
Retake compliant one immediately [7].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - How to Apply for a Passport
[2] U.S. Department of State - Fast Track
[3] USPS - Passport Services
[4] Huntingdon County Clerk of Courts
[5] State Department Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[6] PA Department of Health - Vital Records
[7] U.S. Department of State - Passport Photo Requirements
[8] [U.S. Department of State - Check Application Statu

Track Your Application and Find Urgent Services

• Check Passport Status: Use the official U.S. Department of State Passport Status Service to monitor your application's progress after submission. Enter your last name, date of birth, and confirmation number from your application receipt.
  Practical tip: Allow 7-10 business days after mailing before checking routine applications; expedited services update faster.
  Common mistake: Forgetting your confirmation number—keep your receipt safe or risk delays in tracking.
  Decision guidance for Huntingdon, PA area: Ideal for routine or expedited apps from local post offices or county facilities; if no updates after 4 weeks, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

[9] Passport Agencies for Life-or-Death Emergencies or Urgent Travel: Visit the U.S. Department of State Passport Agencies page to identify locations for same-day issuance if traveling internationally in 14 days or less (or 28 days for expedited). Appointments required—book online ASAP.
Practical tip: Verify eligibility first; agencies serve major regions and may require 2+ hour drives from central PA areas like Huntingdon.
Common mistake: Assuming agencies handle routine renewals—they don't; use them only for qualifying urgent needs to avoid wasted trips.
Decision guidance for Huntingdon, PA area: Stick to local acceptance facilities (post offices, clerks) for standard processing (6-8 weeks routine, 2-3 weeks expedited). Drive to an agency only if your travel is imminent and documented—factor in PA traffic and rural road times.