Getting a Passport in Brownfield, TX: Facilities, Forms & Tips

Getting a Passport in Brownfield, TX

Last Updated: October 2024. All details based on U.S. Department of State guidelines—verify fees, hours, services, and availability on official sites like travel.state.gov and USPS tools, as they change frequently.

In Brownfield, Terry County—a rural West Texas oil and agriculture hub—passports support oilfield workers on international rigs, families crossing to Mexico, students on school trips, and emergency travel. Rural challenges include limited facility slots (book 4-6 weeks ahead for peaks like harvest season or spring break), mail delays, photo rejections from poor home lighting, and form errors on minors/renewals. Avoid pitfalls like pre-signing DS-11 or mailing without tracking. Expect 6-8 weeks routine processing (2-3 weeks expedited).

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

Use this decision tree to pick the right form—wrong choice causes 30% of Texas rejections. Rural mail issues favor in-person or certified mail.

• First-time, minor <16, damaged/lost/stolen, name change, or passport >15 years old/under age 16 when issued? DS-11 in person only (sign on-site).
• Eligible adult renewal (issued 16+, <15 years ago, undamaged, current name)? DS-82 by mail.
• Urgent (<14 days travel)? DS-11 in person + $60 expedite + overnight return; life/death only for agencies.
• Oil worker/business rush? DS-82 if eligible; else DS-11 with employer letter.

Verify at travel.state.gov wizard. Print unfilled forms—local printers smudge easily.

First-Time or In-Person (DS-11)

For new applicants, kids <16, or ineligible for mail. Both parents/guardians for minors (or DS-3053 notarized consent + relationship proof).

Bring (originals + photocopies on white paper):

• U.S. citizenship proof (certified birth certificate, naturalization cert).
• Valid photo ID (TX DL) + photocopy.
• 2x2" color photo (white background, <6 months; no smiles/glare).
• Fees (check/money order; exact).

Pitfalls: Pre-signing form, expired ID, poor photos (use CVS/Walgreens in Lubbock), forgetting minor docs. Routine: 6-8 weeks; book early for Brownfield peaks.

Renewals (DS-82)

Mail-eligible adults: Undamaged passport <15 years old, issued when 16+, received <5 years ago.

Pitfalls: Assuming eligibility if damaged/name changed—switch to DS-11.

Replacements (Lost/Stolen/Damaged)

1. File DS-64 online immediately (prevents fraud).
2. DS-82 by mail if eligible; DS-11 in person otherwise. Rural tip: Factor 1-2 hour drives; plan 8-11 weeks total in peaks.

Other Cases

• Name/gender changes: Legal docs (TX marriage decree).
• Corrections (<1 year): DS-5504 by mail.

Required Documents and Common Pitfalls

Prove citizenship, ID, parental rights. Texas births: Order certified copies from DSHS Vital Statistics (2-4 weeks; $22).

• Citizenship: Original/certified birth cert (no photocopies).
• ID: TX DL/military ID + photocopy.
• Minors: Both parents' presence/docs, child's birth cert.
• Photo: Specs below.
• Forms/fees: See checklists.

Pitfalls: Late birth cert orders in surges; missing photocopies.

Passport Photos: Avoid Rejections

25-30% rejections from bad photos—common in rural TX with home setups.

Specs:

• 2x2" (head 1-1⅜"), color, photo paper, <6 months.
• White/off-white background, even natural light, neutral face, eyes visible.
• No glasses glare, hats (unless documented), uniforms.

Get at Walgreens/CVS (Lubbock ~40 miles, $15); or white wall + phone. Check samples at travel.state.gov.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Brownfield

Brownfield's limited spots fill fast—rural West Texas demand spikes for Mexico trips, oil work, school breaks. Facilities witness DS-11, collect fees, forward apps (no on-site processing). Confirm services/appointments via locator—do not assume.

Call script for all: "Hello, do you offer passport acceptance services? Are walk-ins allowed, or appointment only? What are passport hours? Can you confirm DS-11/DS-82 handling?"

• Brownfield Post Office (120 W Tate St, Brownfield, TX 79316)
  Phone: (806) 637-2152. Primary spot; appointments required, walk-ins rare.
  [View on Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3354.3999999999996!2d-102.2741234!3d33.1812345!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x872b3f8e2f8e2f89%3A0x123456789abcdef!2sBrownfield%20Post%20Office!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1728000000000!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="100%" height="250" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade">

• Terry County District Clerk (500 W Main St, Brownfield, TX 79316)
  Phone: (806) 637-8606. May accept; call to verify.
  [View on Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3354.3999999999996!2d-102.2721234!3d33.1792345!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x872b3f8e1f8e1f87%3A0xfedcba987654321!2sTerry%20County%20District%20Clerk!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1728000000000!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="100%" height="250" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade">

Nearby Alternatives (~25-40 miles):

• Levelland PO: More slots; search locator.
• Lubbock USPS/clerks: Higher volume, easier for rushes.

Arrive 15 min early, all docs ready (15-30 min process). Mail DS-82 via Priority from Brownfield PO (track it). Peaks: Early mornings mid-week best.

Step-by-Step Checklist: First-Time/In-Person (DS-11)

1. Wizard check; print DS-11.
2. Gather docs/photo/fees.
3. Fill (no signature).
4. Book via phone/locator.
5. Attend/sign/receipt.
6. Track after 7-10 days.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Renewals (DS-82)

1. Confirm eligibility.
2. Fill/sign DS-82; include old passport/photo/fees/copies.
3. Priority Mail (track).

Fees and Payment

Current as of October 2024—verify at travel.state.gov as rates change.

Check/money order: Acceptance to facility; app fee to "U.S. Department of State." No cards at most TX POs.

Expedited, Urgent, and Processing Times

• Routine: 6-8 weeks (+ buffer).
• Expedite: 2-3 weeks (+$60).
• Urgent (<14 days): Life/death only (1-877-487-2778).

TX rural peaks add 2-4 weeks. Track: passportstatus.state.gov.

Special Considerations for Brownfield/Texas

• Birth certs: DSHS ($22; Lubbock faster).
• Oil/Mexico travel: Employer letters help rushes.
• Minors: Strict consent for exchange/sports trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summer timeline in Brownfield? 6-8+ weeks; early appointments key.

Birth cert photocopy OK? No—certified original.

Expedite vs urgent? Expedite any travel (fee); urgent emergencies only.

One parent absent for child? DS-3053 notarized.

Brownfield PO walk-ins? Rare—call.

TX Real ID sufficient? Yes.

Lost renewal? DS-11 + DS-64.

Track app? Receipt at passportstatus.state.gov.

Sources

[1] U.S. Dept of State - Passports
[2] Passport Wizard
[3] TX DSHS Vital Statistics
[4] Photo Requirements
[5] Facility Locator
[6] USPS Finder
[7] DS-11
[8] Track Status
[9] DS-82
[10] USPS Tracking
[11] Processing Times
[12] Urgent Services
[13] DS-64