Getting a Passport in Colorado City, TX: Facilities & Tips

By GovComplete Team Published on:

Location: Colorado City, TX
Getting a Passport in Colorado City, TX: Facilities & Tips

Getting a Passport in Colorado City, TX

Colorado City residents in Mitchell County face Texas's high passport demand, driven by cross-border trips to Mexico for work, Canada visits tied to the oil patch, European vacations, and Caribbean escapes during spring break or holidays. Families apply for reunions, students for exchanges, and workers for urgent gigs—but March-May (spring break), June-August (summer), and December-February (holidays) overload rural facilities. Watch for pitfalls like damaged passports from dusty West Texas conditions (not eligible for renewal), glare-heavy photos in bright sun, or incomplete minor consents. Routine service: 6-8 weeks. Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60). Life-or-death urgent (<14 days): Nearest agency in Dallas (7+ hour drive)—call 1-877-487-2778 with proof. Start early; track at travel.state.gov.

For quick facility scouting, use this interactive Google Maps view:

Passport Acceptance Facilities in and Near Colorado City

No passport agencies here—use these acceptance facilities for DS-11 new applications (they verify ID, witness signatures, submit to the State Department). DS-82 renewals mail in. Expect a 10-15 minute process: review docs, sign forms on-site, pay fees, provide (but get back) citizenship proof. No photos or passports on-site; walk-ins possible but call first, as West Texas spots book up.

Verify services and book via State Department Search or USPS Appointments.

Facility Address Phone Drive Time from Colorado City Notes & Links
Colorado City Post Office 1401 17th St, Colorado City, TX 79512 (325) 728-3011 0 min Local first stop; check services: USPS Locator
Mitchell County District Clerk County Courthouse, 349 Oak St, Colorado City, TX 79512 (325) 728-8415 5 min County option: Mitchell County Site
Sweetwater Post Office 100

Livesay Ave, Sweetwater, TX 79556 | (325) 235-1781 | ~30 min | Backup during peaks: USPS Locator | | Snyder Post Office | 501 25th St, Snyder, TX 79549 | (325) 573-5391 | ~45 min | Further option: USPS Locator |

Peak Times & Strategies: Mid-week (Tues-Thurs) noons surge with ranchers and farmers; statewide spring break (book by January) and summer oil travel add pressure. Target mornings (9-11 AM), skip Mondays. Rural limits mean calling 1-2 weeks early—post offices often list real-time slots online.

Texas birth certificates come only from DSHS Vital Statistics—order ASAP for delays.

Choosing the Right Passport Service

Pick DS-11 (new, in-person) or DS-82 (renewal, mail) wisely—biggest error: trying DS-82 on passports over 15 years old or damaged, forcing restarts.

Service Form In-Person? Who Qualifies Routine Timeline
First-Time / Name Change / Child DS-11 Yes No prior passport; issued <16 yrs ago; lost/stolen >1 yr; major changes 6-8 weeks
Adult Renewal DS-82 No (mail) <15 yrs old; undamaged; issued after 16; no changes 6-8 weeks
Lost/Stolen DS-64 + DS-11/82 Varies Report loss first 6-8 weeks
Damaged DS-5504 if recent Yes if >1 yr old Common: water, tears from TX weather Varies
Urgent (<14 days) Varies + flight itinerary Agency (Dallas/El Paso) Proved need; call 1-877-487-2778 1-3 days

Minors always DS-11; name/gender changes need court/docs.

Required Documents and Step-by-Step Checklist

Bring originals (some photocopies OK). Top errors: Signing DS-11 too soon (voids it), uncertified birth certificates, missing minor parental forms/notary.

DS-11 Routine Checklist:

  1. Complete DS-11 online—print single-sided, leave unsigned.
  2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship: TX birth cert from [DSHS](https://www.dshs.texas.

gov/vs/) (certified, long-form best), naturalization cert, or prior passport. 3. Photo ID: TX driver's license via DPS, passport card, military ID (match DS-11 name exactly). 4. Two 2x2" photos (specs below). 5. Minors (<16): Both parents/guardians + their IDs + child's birth cert; or DS-3053 notarized by absent parent + their ID copy. 6. Fees: Two separate payments (checks/money orders best). 7. Secure appointment via facility links above. 8. Arrive 15 min early: Sign DS-11 in front of agent; they administer oath, review everything. 9. Get receipt; track online after 7-10 days at passportstatus.state.gov.

DS-82 Renewal: Mail old passport + completed DS-82, photo, fee to form's address—no interview.

At the Facility: 10-20 min total; agent scans for fraud/errors (30% rejections from minor consent gaps or mismatches). Relaxed vibe in small-town spots, but precise docs speed it up.

Passport Photos: Avoid Rejections

Rejections hit 25%—mostly glare/shadows from West Texas light. Requirements: 2x2" color print, white/off-white background, 1-1⅜" head size, even lighting, neutral expression, no glasses (medical note only), no uniforms/selfies.

Options: Walmart or CVS in Sweetwater (~$15, quick). Full rules: State Dept Photos.

Fees and Payment

Pay separately: passport fee to State Dept (check/MO); execution to facility (cash/check/card—call post offices).

Fee Amount Paid To
Adult Book $130 State Dept
Minor Book (<16) $100 State Dept
Card Only $30 State Dept
Execution (per app) $35 Facility
Expedited +$60 State Dept
1-2 Day Delivery +$21.36 State Dept

Details: State Dept Fees.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine: 6-8 weeks (Texas peaks: +1-2 weeks). Expedited: 2-3 weeks. Check live: Processing Times. For <14 days, agencies need itinerary/proof—Dallas is realistic drive.

Buffer 3 months for holidays.

Special Considerations for Texas Residents

  • Birth Certificates: Exclusively [DSHS](https://ww

w.dshs.texas.gov/vs/) (20-day rush available); local Mitchell Clerk handles only marriage/death.

  • Travel Peaks: Spring break floods from schools; summer oil/booms spike demand.
  • Students/Workers: School verification or employer letter aids urgent agency visits.
  • Rural Tip: Factor drive times; combine with DMV if renewing DL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Same-day service? No agencies nearby (6+ hours)—weeks minimum.

DS-11 or DS-82? DS-82 only for eligible adult renewals; all else DS-11.

16-year-old expired passport? Treat as new: DS-11.

One parent missing for child? DS-3053 notarized + ID copy.

Birth cert lacks parents' names? Amend via DSHS or use alternate proof.

Mail renewal tracking? USPS Informed Delivery.

Glasses or earrings OK? Glasses: medical proof, no glare; earrings fine if face visible.

Lost passport abroad? File DS-64; embassy details: Lost Abroad.

Key Resources

AK

Aaron Kramer

Passport Services Expert & Founder

Aaron Kramer is the founder of GovComplete and a passport services expert with over 15 years of experience in the U.S. passport industry. Throughout his career, Aaron has helped thousands of travelers navigate the complexities of passport applications, renewals, and expedited processing. His deep understanding of State Department regulations, acceptance facility operations, and emergency travel documentation has made him a trusted resource for both first-time applicants and seasoned travelers. Aaron's mission is to make government services accessible and stress-free for everyone.

15+ Years Experience Expedited Processing State Dept. Regulations