Passport Guide for Slater-Marietta, SC: Local Facilities & Steps

Getting a Passport in Slater-Marietta, South Carolina

Slater-Marietta residents in Greenville County frequently apply for passports to support international travel from nearby Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), including family trips to Europe, Caribbean getaways, or business in Latin America. Seasonal peaks hit during spring breaks, summer vacations, and winter escapes, compounded by student exchange programs and urgent family or work needs. Local demand strains nearby facilities, leading to scarce appointments—plan ahead to avoid delays. This guide draws from U.S. Department of State standards, tailored with South Carolina resources like DHEC for vital records, to streamline your process [1].

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Choosing the wrong form is a top mistake, often forcing restarts and extra fees. Use the State Department's wizard for confirmation [1].

• First-Time (DS-11): No prior passport, issued before age 16, or over 15 years old. Must apply in person at an acceptance facility—cannot mail [2].

• Renewal (DS-82): Passport issued at 16+, within 15 years, undamaged, and submitted with app. Mail it yourself; no in-person unless name/gender change or pages needed. Ineligible? Treat as new [3].

• Lost/Stolen/Damaged (DS-64 + DS-11/DS-82): Report first (free for theft), then apply based on situation. Abroad? U.S. embassy. Stateside? Follow DS-11/DS-82 rules [4].

Minors under 16 always require DS-11 in person with both parents/guardians or notarized DS-3053 consent—no renewals allowed [2].

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Slater-Marietta

No on-site facility in Slater-Marietta means driving to Greenville County options, typically 10-20 minutes away via Highway 25 or I-85. Demand surges locally due to GSP proximity, so book appointments via USPS locator, facility sites, or phone—walk-ins are unreliable [5]. Expect 30-60 minute visits: staff verify docs, witness signature, seal app, but don't issue passports (sent to agency).

• Travelers Rest Post Office (closest, ~10-15 min drive northwest): 6545 N Highway 25 Bypass, Travelers Rest, SC 29690. Phone: (864) 834-8899. Weekday appointments; photos available. View on Google Maps

• Greenville Post Office (Main Branch) (~20 min south): 600 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601. Phone: (864) 299-9512. Full services; busy mid-week. [View on Google Maps](https

://www.google.com/maps/place/600+S+Main+St,+Greenville,+SC+29601)

• Greenville County Clerk of Court (~20 min south): 301 University Ridge, Suite 2800, Greenville, SC 29601. Handles DS-11; check greenvillecounty.org for slots. Phone: (864) 467-7555. View on Google Maps

Search full list at travel.state.gov locator [1]. Urgent (travel <14 days or life/death <3 days)? Local first for proof, then Atlanta Passport Agency (~6 hr drive) [7]. Off-peak (fall weekdays, early mornings) cuts waits.

Required Documents and Forms

Originals only (photocopies of ID/citizenship on plain white paper). Missing items reject 40% of apps, especially minors' parental proof [2].

Adults (16+):

• Citizenship: Birth cert (certified long-form ideal), naturalization cert, old passport.
• ID: SC driver's license, passport card, military ID.
• 2x2 photos (specs below).
• DS-11 (sign in person).
• Fees: $130 app + $35 execution (separate checks: State Dept vs facility); +$60 expedite [8].

Minors (<16):

• DS-11.
• Both parents/IDs or DS-3053 (notarized).
• Child's birth cert.
• Fees: $100 app + $35 execution [2].

SC birth certs: Order certified from DHEC (scdhec.gov, $12-23, 1-2 weeks) [9]. Forms: travel.state.gov, single-sided.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25-30% rejections from photos: wrong size (2x2", head 1-1 3/8"), glare/shadows, smiles, glasses, or old (>6 months) [10]. White/cream background, neutral face, even light.

• Pros near Slater-Marietta: CVS/Walgreens (~$15), USPS locations above.
• DIY pitfalls: Phone cams distort; use pros.
• Renewals: Upload digitally if Rapid Renewal eligible [3].

Bring 2+ extras.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Preparing Your Application

1. Run State wizard [1]: DS-11 (new/minor) or DS-82 (renewal)?
2. Secure citizenship proof: DHEC for SC births [9].
3. ID + front/back photocopy.
4. Fill forms (no DS-11 signature).
5. Pro photos x2+ [10].
6. Fees calc [8]: 2 checks.
7. Book appt (USPS/county sites) [5][6].
8. Minors: Consent/docs.
9. Extras: Name change (court order), old passport.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Application Day

1. Arrive 15 min early, docs organized.
2. Agent reviews; answer oath questions.
3. Sign DS-11.
4. Pay (check/money order best).
5. Surrender old passport.
6. Get receipt; track at passportstatus.state.gov [11].
7. Renewals: Mail Priority USPS to form address [3].

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Rou

tine: 6-8 weeks from receipt (peaks longer) [12]. No personal tracking pre-receipt.

• Expedited: +$60, 2-3 weeks (add at facility/mail).
• Urgent: <14 days travel? Agency appt w/ itinerary. Life/death <3 days: 1-877-487-2778 [7].
• Rapid Renewal: Online DS-82 eligible, ~3 weeks [3].

Slater-Marietta tip: Apply 3+ months pre-GSP flights; track obsessively [11].

Common Challenges and Tips for Slater-Marietta Residents

• Booking crunch: Facilities book 4-6 weeks out; refresh for cancels, target Tue-Thu AM.
• Form errors: DS-82 misuse (damaged/expired >15 yrs) = DS-11 redo.
• Photos/docs: Home prints fail; forget parental consent = instant reject.
• Local hacks: Pre-order DHEC certs. GSP-area traffic? Highway 25 early. Group apps for families/students at Clerk.

Verify all at official sites—no endorsements here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I apply for a child's passport without both parents?
No—both present w/IDs or notarized DS-3053 + ID from absent. Rare exceptions [2].

Renew expired passport from 10+ years ago?
Post-16 issue, undamaged? DS-82 mail. Else DS-11 in-person [3].

Routine vs expedited?
6-8 vs 2-3 weeks (+$60). Agency for true urgent [12].

SC birth certificate?
DHEC online/mail ($12-23 certified) [9].

Post office photos?
Yes, Greenville/Travelers Rest ~$15 [5][10].

Lost passport traveling?
DS-64 report; new via embassy/agency [4].

Travel timeline post-app?
3+ months buffer; urgent agency only [7].

Appointment needed?
Yes—book to skip lines [5][6].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] U.S. Department of State - Form DS-11
[3] U.S. Department of State - Renew by Mail
[4] U.S. Department of State - Lost or Stolen Passport
[5] USPS Passport Services
[6] Greenville County Clerk of Court
[7] U.S. Department of State - Get Fast
[8] U.S. Department of State - Fees
[9] [SC DHEC Vital Records](https://d

ph.sc.gov/public/vital-records)
[10] U.S. Department of State - Passport Photo Requirements
[11] U.S. Department of State - Check Status
[12] U.S. Department of State - Processing Times