Getting Passports in Navy, VA: Forms, Facilities & Navy Tips

Getting a Passport in Navy, VA

Navy, VA residents in Fairfax County benefit from quick drives to Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA) airports, supporting frequent Navy-related travel, family visits overseas, or student programs. Demand spikes in spring/summer for breaks and holidays, or urgently for deployments and relocations—plan 9-13 weeks for routine (6-8 weeks processing) or 2-3 weeks expedited. Navy personnel and veterans: Check for fee waivers via military ID at acceptance facilities. Book appointments early online to dodge full calendars. This guide uses U.S. Department of State protocols, with tailored tips for first-timers, renewals, and military applicants.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Wrong form choices cause 20%+ rejections in busy Fairfax County—use this decision tree to pick DS-11 (in-person) vs. DS-82 (mail).

Decision Tree:

1. Never had a passport, child <16, or prior passport expired >15 years/issued <16? → DS-11 in person.
2. Passport issued 15 years ago or less, when you were 16+, undamaged, no major name change? → DS-82 by mail (cheaper, no execution fee).
3. Lost/stolen/damaged? Report via DS-64 online first, then DS-82 (if eligible) or DS-11 (+$60 fee).
4. Name/gender correction within 1 year of issue? DS-5504 by mail (free).
5. Urgent travel <14 days? DS-11 at facility, then agency for possible same-day.

Military tip: Active Navy use CAC for ID; veterans submit DD-214 if birth cert unavailable. Verify at travel.state.gov/passport-101.

Add $60 expedite, $21.36 1-2 day delivery. Track at passportstatus.state.gov.

First-Time Passport (DS-11)

What to expect: 20-45 min in-person interview verifying docs, oath, fee collection. Agents check for fraud flags (e.g., prior lost passports).

Checklist (originals only):

• Citizenship: Certified birth cert (VA Vital Records, $12 [6]), naturalization cert.
• ID: VA DL, CAC/military ID.
• Photo: 2x2" compliant.
• DS-11: Fill out, don't sign.

Mistakes: Non-certified birth certs, expired ID mismatches. Navy tip: Order VA birth certs early via vdh.virginia.gov if deploying soon.

Passport Renewal (DS-82)

Eligibility pitfalls: Passport >15 years old or issued <16 forces DS-11 restart—don't mail ineligible apps.

Mail steps:

1. DS-82 signed, old passport, photo, check to "U.S. Dept of State".
2. Certified mail to Philadelphia center.
3. Track online.

Mistakes: Glasses in photo, wrong fees, no tracking. Military: Use APO/FPO if stationed abroad.

Lost/Stolen Replacement

DS-64 online report first. Then eligible DS-82 or DS-11. Expect extra scrutiny at interview.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

25% Fairfax rejections from poor photos—head 1-1⅜", no glare/uniforms/glasses unless medical.

Pro spots near Navy: CVS/Walgreens/USPS ($15-17). Validate free at travel.state.gov/photo-tool.

Checklist:

• 2x2" square, white background.
• Neutral face, even light.
• No selfies/home prints.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Navy, VA

Consolidated Fairfax County options serving Navy, VA (ZIPs nearby for hyper-local searches). Verify acceptance/appointments via official tools—no walk-ins during peaks. Expect 15-30 min waits; agents witness signature, seal app.

Find exact distances/appointments: State locator (iafdb.travel.state.gov [10]); USPS tool [9]. Google Maps: Search "passport acceptance near Navy, VA 220xx" (Fairfax ZIPs).

Renewals mail to: National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.

At-facility tips: Arrive 15 min early, organized docs. Peaks (Mon/lunch/spring) add 1hr+; Tuesday AM best. Military IDs speed ID check.

Step-by-Step Application Checklist

In-Person (DS-11):

1. DS-11 complete (no signature).
2. Citizenship/ID originals + copies.
3. Photo.
4. Fees separated.
5. Book appt [9][10].
6. Interview/oath.
7. Track after 7 days [1].

Mail Renewal (DS-82):

1. Eligibility check.
2. DS-82, old passport, photo, fees.
3. Trackable mail.

Urgent: Proof to DC agency (1-877-487-2778 [11]).

Processing Times and Expedited Options

• Routine: 6-8 weeks (longer peaks).
• Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60).
• Urgent <14 days: Agency only + itinerary.

Navy, VA tip: DC proximity aids agency rush; alerts via travel.state.gov.

Common Challenges and Tips for Navy, VA Residents

• Appt shortages: Book 4-6wks ahead; use multiple facilities.
• Military perks: CAC/DD-214 bypasses some docs; no-fee DS-11 possible.
• VA-specific: Vital Records delays—order now [6].
• Peaks: Avoid spring/summer; off-peak for faster.
• REAL ID tie-in: Use new DL for ID post-passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Same-day in Navy? No; DC agency for urgent [11].
Expedited vs. urgent? Expedited speeds processing; urgent needs agency/proof [12].
Appt needed? Yes, usps.com/fairfaxcounty.gov [9][8].
VA birth cert? vdh.virginia.gov, $12 [6].
Expired 16yrs? DS-11 new [2].
Child solo? DS-3053 consent [5].
Track? passportstatus.state.gov [1].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] Apply In Person (DS-11)
[3] Renew (DS-82)
[4] Lost/Stolen
[5] Children Under 16
[6] VA Vital Records
[7] Photo Requirements
[8] Fairfax Clerk Passports
[9] USPS Locator
[10] State Facility Search
[11] Passport Agencies
[12] Processing Times