Kingstowne VA Passport Guide: Forms, Photos, Local USPS

Q: Expedite for 3-week trip?

+$60 gets 2-3 weeks; agency for sooner [13].

Q: Track status?

Use receipt at passportstatus.state.gov [13].

By GovComplete Team • Published on: January 16, 2026

Location: Kingstowne, VA

Kingstowne VA Passport Guide: Forms, Photos, Local USPS

Guide to Obtaining a Passport in Kingstowne, VA

Kingstowne's location in Fairfax County, Virginia—near Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA) airports—spikes passport demand for Europe/Asia business trips, Caribbean/Mexico family vacations (spring/summer peaks), winter escapes, and DC-government needs. Regional surges during March-April spring break, June-August summer, and December-January holidays fill appointments fast. This guide cuts through with local tips to dodge photo rejections, form errors, and doc gaps [1].

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick DS-11 (new) vs. DS-82 (renewal) early—mismatches cause 20% of delays. Use the State Department's wizard [1]. DS-11 requires in-person swearing; DS-82 suits mail if your old passport was issued at 16+, undamaged, and <15 years expired.

Situation	Form	Method	Key Notes for Kingstowne
First-time or issued before 16	DS-11	In-person only	Local USPS slots book fast.
Eligible renewal	DS-82	Mail (skip lines)	Ideal for commuters; enclose old passport.
Lost/stolen/damaged	DS-11 or DS-82	In-person or mail	File DS-64 report first [4].
Name change/correction (<1 yr expiry)	DS-82	Mail	Add marriage cert/court order [3].
Child <16	DS-11	In-person (both parents)	Valid 5 years; consent form key [5].
Urgent (<14 days)	Varies	DC agency only	Travel proof required [6].

Mail DS-82 renewals to avoid DC-area queues.

Required Documents and Eligibility Checklist

Essentials: Citizenship proof (original + photocopy), photo ID (+ photocopy), 2x2 photo, fees (application to State; execution to facility). VA birth certs take 2-4 weeks [7]. Photocopy everything on plain paper.

Adult DS-11 (In-Person): DS-11 (unsigned till sworn) [2], birth/naturalization cert/old passport, VA DL/military ID, photo, $130 app + $35 exec (+$60 expedite optional).

DS-82 Renewal (Mail): DS-82 (signed), old passport, photo, $130 (to "U.S. Department of State"), Natl Passport Processing Ctr, PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.

Minor <16: $100 app + $35 exec, both parents or DS-3053 (notarize at VA banks/USPS).

Pitfalls (25% rejections): No photocopies, early DS-11 signature, parent mismatches on minor docs. Cross-check [5].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

Fairfax rejects 25-30% for glare, shadows, wrong size (2x2", head 1-1⅜"), or age (>6 months) [9]. Specs: Color, white

background, neutral expression, no glare on glasses, matte paper.

Local options:

CVS at 6620 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria ($16.99).
Near Kingstowne Station USPS (5700 Kingstowne Centre, Alexandria, VA 22315).

Print duplicates; no fixes at facilities.

Local Passport Acceptance Facilities in Kingstowne and Fairfax County

Fairfax lacks agencies—use these for DS-11. Book via usps.com (weeks out in peaks); walk-ins rare. Expect 30-45 min: security, oath, review, payments. Arrive organized [10].

Facility	Address	Phone	Hours	Notes
Kingstowne Station Post Office [10]	5700 Kingstowne Centre, Alexandria, VA 22315	(703) 313-7360	Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM (appt req'd)	Top local choice for commuters.
Springfield Post Office	6920 Cherry Ln, Springfield, VA 22150	(703) 451-8958	Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM (passport)	High volume; book ahead.
Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk [11]	4110 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030	(703) 691-7320	Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM	Suits complex apps.
Thomas Jefferson Library	12350 Jefferson District Dr, Fairfax, VA 22033	(703) 435-0195	Varies	Possible low/no exec fee.

More: iafdb.travel.state.gov [12]. Urgent: DC agency at 600 19th St NW [6].

Local Tip: Hit early Tues-Thurs; skip Mondays. Confirm appts.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine: 6-8 weeks. Expedite: 2-3 weeks (+$60). <14 days: Agency + itinerary [13]. DC surges add 1-2 weeks; track after 7 days at passportstatus.state.gov.

Kingstowne strategy: Apply 9-13 weeks before summer; add Priority Express ($21.36) for returns.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Assess needs/forms/docs (rush VA birth cert [7]).
Get compliant photo.
Schedule (usps.com).
Arrive 15 min early: Oath, review, dual pay, get receipt.
Track (1-877-487-2778) or mail with tracking.

Special Considerations for Minors and Urgent Travel

Minors: Both parents or notarized DS-3053 (20-30% rejections otherwise) [5]. Child cert lists parents.

Urgent: Book DC agency (1-877-487-2778, ~30-min drive); flight p

roof or doctor's note for life/death [6].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I renew at Kingstowne Post Office? No, DS-82 by mail [3].

Expedite for 3-week trip? +$60 gets 2-3 weeks; agency for sooner [13].

Child cert lacks parent? Amend via VDH [7].

Photo issues? Retake exactly to spec [9].

Passport card for Europe? Book only [8].

Summer apply when? 9-13 weeks early [13].

Track status? Use receipt at passportstatus.state.gov [13].

Post-marriage name? DS-82 + cert [3].

Sources

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