Tyrone PA Passport Application Guide: Facilities, Fees, Tips

Getting a Passport in Tyrone, PA

Tyrone, Pennsylvania, residents in Blair County face steady passport demand driven by international travel for tourism, family visits, and business, with peaks in spring/summer vacations and winter holidays or ski trips. Nearby Penn State Altoona students boost applications via study abroad programs, while urgent needs arise from emergencies or opportunities. Rural facilities handle spillover from Altoona and Hollidaysburg, so high season appointments book 2-4 weeks out—plan ahead to avoid delays [1].

This comprehensive guide covers applying, renewing, or replacing a U.S. passport from Tyrone, sourced from the U.S. Department of State. It includes decision tools, checklists, pitfalls (e.g., photo glare rejections, minor consent errors), timelines, and rural PA tips to streamline your process.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Select the right form to prevent rejections. Use this decision table:

Download forms: pptform.state.gov [5]. If unsure (e.g., passport >15 years old), default to DS-11 in-person.

First-Time or Ineligible (DS-11)

Requires acceptance facility visit. Pro tip for Tyrone: Mid-week mornings minimize rural wait times.

Checklist:

• Completed DS-11 (unsigned).
• Original U.S. citizenship proof (PA birth certificate via health.pa.gov; allow 2-4 weeks) + photocopy [10].
• Valid photo ID (PA REAL ID driver's license) + photocopy.
• 2x2" passport photo.
• Fees (two checks).
• For minors: Both parents/guardians or DS-3053 notarized consent + IDs.

Pitfalls: Expired ID, mismatched names, pre-signed form—invalids application.

Renewals/Replacements (DS-82/DS-64)

Mail if eligible. Include old passport, new photo, name change docs (marriage cert, court order).

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Tyrone

Tyrone has no passport agency (for life/death urgent travel <14 days); use these acceptance facilities for DS-11/DS-82 verification, signatures, and forwarding. Expect 20-45 min visits; book via USPS scheduler or locator for high Blair County demand [1], [6].

Comprehensive List (with distances from Tyrone center):

• Tyrone Post Office (1041 Logan Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686; 1 mile): Appointments required; photos available ($15). Call (814) 684-5940 [6].
• Hollidaysburg Post Office (710 Scotch Valley Rd, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; ~15 miles/25 min): High volume, efficient. [6].
• Blair County Courthouse/Prothonotary (912 Allegheny St, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; ~15 miles): Handles DS-11/minors. Call (814) 693-6420 [7].
• Altoona Post Office (2101 Valley View Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602; ~15 miles/25 min): Busy, photos/forms on-site; serves Penn State Altoona crowd [6].

Locator: iafdb.travel.state.gov [1]. For urgent (<2 weeks), submit here first, then book Pittsburgh Passport Agency (~2 hr drive; proof required like itinerary) [8]. Rural tip: Factor 30-60 min drives; verify hours/services by phone— not all post offices offer photos.

What to Expect:

1. Arrive early with organized docs.
2. Agent reviews, you sign under oath.
3. Pay/seal; get tracking number. Pro tip: Weekday AM slots beat peaks (Mon/lunch); mail renewals to skip lines.

Required Documents and Forms Reference

DS-11 Core:

1. Unsigned form.
2. Original citizenship proof + photocopy.
3. Photo ID + photocopy.
4. Photo.
5. Minor extras: DS-3053 if one parent absent.

DS-82: Old passport, photo, name docs.

Pitfall: 20-30% PA rejections from incompletes—photocopy everything for records [2].

Passport Photos: Avoid Rejections

Strict specs cause most rural PA issues (glare, shadows):

• 2x2", color, <6 months old.
• Head 1-1⅜" chin-top; neutral expression, eyes open.
• White background; no glasses/selfies/uniforms (medical/religious exceptions) [9].

Tyrone/Altoona options: Post offices/Walmart/CVS (~$15). Preview digitally; use natural light, matte paper. Minors: No props.

Fees and Payment (2024 Figures)

From travel.state.gov [11]:

• Adult Book (first/renew): $130 application.
• Adult Card: $30 application.
• Execution (DS-11 only): $35.
• Expedite: +$60.
• Overnight Delivery: +$21.36.
• Minors: $100 book/$15 card application.

Payment: Two checks/money orders—application to "U.S. Department of State"; execution to facility ("Postmaster"). Cash/cards sometimes accepted—call ahead. No personal checks for application at some spots.

Processing Times and Expedited Service

2024 updates [12]:

• Routine: 4-6 weeks (mail); 6-8 weeks (in-person). Peaks add 2-4 weeks.
• Expedited (+$60): 2-3 weeks.
• Urgent (<14 days): Agencies only, life/death proof.

Track: passportstatus.state.gov after 5-7 days (use name/DOB/SSN last 4) [13]. Tyrone tip: Rural mail adds 2-3 days—apply 3-6 months early.

Step-by-Step Checklist to Get Your Passport

Prep (1-2 Weeks Prior):

• Determine form/service.
• Gather docs/photo/photocopies.
• Prep checks; book appointment [1].
• Order PA birth cert if needed [10].

DS-11 Day:

• Arrive 15-30 min early (mid-week AM).
• Present originals; fix minor issues on-site.
• Sign in front of agent.
• Pay separately; note tracking #.
• Photo receipt.

Mail (DS-82): Complete, include old passport, Priority Mail.

Post-Submission: Track online; call 1-877-487-2778 for urgent after notice.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them (Rural PA Focus)

• Demand/Availability: Blair County slots fill fast (Penn State effect)—book ASAP; use Altoona if Tyrone full.
• Photos/Forms: Pre-check specs; download fresh forms (black ink, no erasures).
• Minors/Name Changes: DS-3053 originals; full doc chain for changes.
• Timelines: Don't cut close—expedite only with proof; rural mail delays common.
• Access: Verify services; drive prepared for 30+ min trips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Child passport without both parents? Both or notarized DS-3053 [2].
Expedited summer time? 2-3 weeks, peaks to 4+ [12].
Blair County birth cert? PA Health Dept (expedited 3-5 days) [10].
PA license as ID? Yes (REAL ID); else + SSN card [2].
Lost abroad? Embassy emergency; DS-64 on return [4].
Track renewal? Yes, after 5-7 days [13].
Tyrone walk-ins? No; appointments [6].
Apply how early? Routine 3-6 mo; expedited 1-2 mo [12].

Sources

[1] Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[2] Apply In-Person
[3] Renew Adult Passport
[4] Lost/Stolen
[5] Forms
[6] USPS Passports
[7] Blair County
[8] Pittsburgh Agency
[9] Photo Requirements
[10] PA Birth Certs
[11] Fees
[12] Fast Passports
[13] Status Check