Getting a Passport in Huntington, VA: Steps, Facilities

Getting a Passport in Huntington, VA

Huntington, in Fairfax County near the Huntington Metro station (ZIP 22303), draws professionals, families, and George Mason University students needing passports for international travel, study abroad, or Dulles Airport flights. Northern Virginia's seasonal peaks—spring/summer vacations, winter holidays—spike demand, filling slots at nearby facilities. Proximity to D.C. offers solid options, but plan early to dodge photo rejections (glare/shadows), minor consent gaps, or DS-11/DS-82 mix-ups. Always verify fees, times, and facility details on official sites like travel.state.gov, as they update frequently [1].

This guide tailors steps for locals, with checklists, decisions, and pitfalls drawn from State Department sources.

Choosing the Right Passport Service

Pick the wrong path, and you'll restart with lost fees/time. Use this to decide:

First-Time Applicants (DS-11, In Person Only)

Required if: no prior U.S. passport, previous issued before 16, lost/stolen/damaged, or all minors under 16 (valid 5 years vs. adults' 10) [1].

Quick Check:

• Prior passport issued after 16, undamaged, in possession, <15 years old? → Eligible for DS-82 renewal.
• No/unsure? → DS-11.

Steps:

1. Download DS-11 from travel.state.gov (single-sided, unsigned until agent).
2. Originals: citizenship proof (birth cert), ID (driver's license), 2x2 photo (~$15 at CVS).
3. Minors: both parents/IDs/child present.

Pitfalls: Never mail DS-11; originals only (photocopies too); wrong photo specs reject 30%+; "new resident" still triggers DS-11 if prior passport old.

Huntington tip: Metro to facilities beats traffic.

Renewals (DS-82, Mail)

Eligible if passport: <15 years old, issued at 16+, undamaged/in possession, matches current details [2].

Replacements

Lost/stolen: Report online first [1]. Use DS-11 in person (if ineligible for mail) or DS-82 if qualifying. Damaged: always in person.

Decision Table:

Check travel.state.gov for latest [1].

Required Documents and Forms

Core needs:

• Citizenship: Original birth/naturalization cert + photocopy (VA orders via vdh.virginia.gov; 2-4 weeks) [3].
• ID: Driver's license/military ID + photocopy (names match).
• Photo: 2x2 specs (below).
• Form: DS-11/DS-82, unsigned.
• Fees: Two payments—app to "U.S. Department of State" (check/MO), exec to facility.

Name change? Marriage/divorce docs. Minors: dual consent [1]. Forms at pptform.state.gov [4].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25%+ rejections here from poor specs [5]:

• 2x2 inches; head 1-1⅜ inches.
• Color, white/off-white background.
• Neutral face, eyes open, recent (<6 months).
• No glasses/hats/uniforms (med/religious exceptions).

Local Hack: CVS/Walgreens near Huntington Metro nail it ($15); skip home setups—VA humidity causes glare/shadows. Use State photo tool [5].

Local Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Huntington

No on-site passport office in Huntington—use Fairfax County/USPS spots (5-20 min drive/Metro from Huntington station). Staff verify docs, oath/sign, forward to agency (15-30 min if complete). Appointments essential (tools.usps.com); walk-ins rare. Peaks (Mar-Jun/Dec): Mondays/midday busiest—go early AM/late PM weekdays.

Key options (verify via [6][7]):

• Fairfax County Clerk of Circuit Court (Fairfax): Full DS-11/minors.
• Mount Vernon Post Office (Alexandria, ~5 min Metro): Appointments via USPS.
• Landmark Post Office (Alexandria): South Huntington access.
• Springfield Post Office (Springfield): High-volume.

Pro Tip: Search "passport acceptance" + your ZIP at [6]; GMU students, Metro to Fairfax/Clerk. Note: Facilities don't issue passports, expedite, or mail renewals.

Interactive Map (pins nearby facilities; zoom/search for updates):

Map approx.; confirm pins/services at official locators.

Step-by-Step Checklist for In-Person (DS-11)

1. Confirm DS-11 need [1].
2. Citizenship orig + copy [3].
3. ID + copy.
4. Compliant photo [5].
5. Unsigned DS-11 [4].
6. Fees ready (two payments).
7. Book slot [6].
8. Arrive early; sign/pay on-site.
9. Track at passportstatus.state.gov [8].

Minors Extra: Dual parents/child.

Renewing by Mail (DS-82)

1. DS-82 + old passport + photo + $130 check [2][4].
2. USPS Priority (track). 6-8 weeks standard [1]. Perfect for Metro commuters.

Expedited and Urgent Services

Expedite (+$60): 2-3 weeks; add at submit/track [1]. Summer VA surge: +30% delays.

14-Day Urgent: Itinerary-proven travel only; DC Agency (~20 min Metro/drive, appt 1-877-487-2778) [10]. Life/death: +fees [9]. No guarantees—plan 10+ weeks out.

Special Considerations for Locals

GMU Students: International center preps docs; Metro to facilities for J-1/F-1 visas post-passport. Families: Minor rejections high sans consent. Abroad loss: Embassy report; replace home.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong form (DS-82 for DS-11 cases).
• No photocopies/originals mix-up.
• Glare-y photos/phone shots.
• Peak no-book (slots gone).
• Fees to wrong payee.
• Urgent as default (not for vacations).

Processing Times and Tracking

Routine: 6-8 weeks (peaks +2-4) [8]. Expedite: 2-3. Track: name/DOB/locator at [8]. Passports mail separate—allow buffer for Dulles trips.

Latest at travel.state.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Same-day in Huntington? No; DC urgent appt-only [10].
Child validity? 5 years; dual consent [1].
Name change? Legal docs [1].
Expired renewal? Yes if <15 yrs [2].
Birth cert? vdh.virginia.gov [3].
Holiday expedite? Slower surges [1].
Lost traveling? Report; replace return [1].
Libraries? Some Fairfax; prioritize Clerk/USPS [7].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] USPS - Passport Renewal
[3] Virginia Department of Health - Vital Records
[4] U.S. Department of State - Forms
[5] U.S. Department of State - Passport Photo Requirements
[6] USPS - Find Passport Acceptance Facility
[7] Fairfax County Clerk - Passports
[8] Application Status
[9] Life-or-Death
[10] Urgent Agencies