Passport Application in Springfield, VA: Facilities, Forms & Tips

By GovComplete Team • Published on:

Location: Springfield, VA
Passport Application in Springfield, VA: Facilities, Forms & Tips

Getting a Passport in Springfield, VA

Springfield, in Fairfax County, Virginia, sits just outside Washington, D.C., offering quick access to Dulles International Airport via Route 50 and major routes like I-95 and I-495. Local travel patterns reflect this: professionals jet to Europe and Asia for business, families head to the Caribbean or Mexico for vacations, and George Mason University students travel to Canada or exchange programs year-round. Peaks hit in spring/summer for tourism, winter holidays, and pre-semester rushes. Urgent needs arise from DC-area jobs or emergencies, but Fairfax facilities see heavy volume—book early to dodge I-495 traffic and 4-6 week appointment waits [1].

Virginia's process aligns with U.S. Department of State rules, but local perks like nearby vital records access and DMV REAL ID issuance speed things up. First-time, renewal, or replacement? Know your form (DS-11 vs. DS-82) to skip rejections.

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick wrong? Expect returns. Use this table:

Your Situation Form Method Why?
Never had U.S. passport; issued <16 years old or >15 years ago; name change without docs DS-11 In-person at acceptance facility Federal rule—no mail/online [1]
Issued <15 years ago; ≥16 at issue; undamaged; current name DS-82 Mail Fastest for busy Springfield commuters [2]
Lost/stolen (valid): Eligible for above? DS-82 or DS-11 Mail or in-person Report via DS-64 first [3]
Damaged/expired >15 years DS-11 In-person Treat as new [1]
Minor <16 DS-11 In-person with parents Consent required [15]

First-Time (DS-11) Tips for Springfield:

  • Facilities like post offices fill fast—use travel.state.gov locator for ZIP 22150-22152 slots.
  • Expect 6-8 weeks routine; 2-3 expedited (+$60).
  • Common pitfalls: Expired passport as "renewal"; no originals; no photo/appointment.

Renewal (DS-82) Decision Steps:

  1. Check issue date (back page): <15 years?
  2. Age at issue ≥16? Undamaged? Same name?
  3. Yes → Mail. No → DS-11. Pro tip: Renew at 9 months left—avoids DC-area airline hassles.

Required Documents and Forms

Originals only (photocopies for your files):

  • Citizenship: U.S. birth certificate (order from Virginia Department of Health, vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records; 2-4 weeks mail, faster Richmond walk-in at 804-662-6200) [5]; naturalization cert; or prior passport.
  • ID: VA driver's license/REAL ID (get

at Springfield DMV, 8727 Graebner Dr) [6].

  • Photo: 2x2", <6 months old (specs below).
  • Fees: $130 adult book/$100 child (check to "U.S. Dept of State"); $35 execution (facility) [1]. Cards at many USPS.
  • Name change: Marriage/divorce decree (Fairfax Circuit Court, fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit) [7].

20-30% rejections from incompletes—run State Dept checklist [1].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

Fairfax rejects spike on bad photos. Rules [8]:

  • 2x2"; head 1-1⅜" chin-top.
  • White background; neutral face; eyes open.
  • No glasses/hats/shadows/selfies/glare.

Local spots: West Springfield Walmart (6560 Backlick Rd, ~$15); CVS (5260 Port Royal Rd); USPS on-site. Validate: tsg.phototool.state.gov.

Passport Acceptance Facilities in Springfield, VA

Fairfax County USPS/clerk offices handle DS-11s (no processing on-site—forwarded to Philly). Appointments essential (usps.com or call); walk-ins rare. High spring/summer demand—book 4-6 weeks out. Expect 10-15 min oath/interview.

  • West Springfield Post Office: 6641 Little River Turnpike, Springfield, VA 22150. (703) 451-2871. Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat appt. Photos available [10].
  • Kingstowne Post Office (south Springfield access): 5500 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria, VA 22315. (703) 313-9810 [10].
  • Fairfax County Clerk of Court: 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22030 (~10 min north). Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM. $10 execution; appt required (fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/clerk/passports) [11].

More via USPS locator: tools.usps.com/find-location.htm?locationType=passport (filter Springfield/Fairfax). Libraries like Pohick Regional offer limited services—confirm fairfaxcounty.gov/library [12]. Dulles-area backups for overflow.

Visit Tips: Arrive early (watch Beltway traffic); organized folder speeds oath. Mid-week mornings quieter than Mondays/lunch rushes.

Step-by-Step Checklist for First-Time or In-Person Applications (DS-11)

  1. Run wizard: pptform.state.gov [1].
  2. Gather originals/docs/photo/fees (2 checks).
  3. Fill DS-11 (black ink, unsigned).

Book slot [10]. 5. Attend: Present all; sign on-site; get receipt. 6. Track after 7-10 days: passportstatus.state.gov [13]. 6-8 weeks routine.

Photocopy pre-submit. Peaks add 20-50% delay.

Step-by-Step Checklist for Renewals by Mail (DS-82)

  1. Verify eligibility [1].
  2. Download DS-82; attach photo/old passport.
  3. Fees (1 check: $130 adult).
  4. Mail: PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 [14].
  5. Track [13]: 6-8 weeks.

Prepaid express return cuts time.

Expedited Service and Urgent Travel

Service Timeline Cost How/Where
Expedited 2-3 weeks +$60 (+$21.36 return) Add at facility/mail [1]
Urgent (<14 days) Varies Fees + proof DC Passport Agency appt (1-877-487-2778); life/death only—no business [4]

Proximity helps, but slots vanish fast.

Special Considerations for Minors

DS-11 in-person; both parents (or DS-3053 + ID copy) [15]. $100 fee. GMU-area families: Plan for student deadlines.

Common Challenges and Local Tips

  • Demand/Waits: 4+ weeks appts; use mail renewals.
  • Traffic: Avoid rush hour to facilities off I-495.
  • Docs Delays: Order VA birth cert early [5].
  • Photos: Pros only—25% DIY rejects.
  • Mistakes: DS-82 misuse; no appt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Same-day passport? No—facilities accept only [4].
Expedited vs. urgent? 2-3 weeks fee vs. emergency agency [1].
West Springfield appt? Yes; online/call [10].
Child timeline? Same as adult; parents required [15].
Damaged renewal? No, DS-11 [1].
Fast VA birth cert? VDH online (2 weeks)/Richmond walk-in [5].
REAL ID for passport? No, but get for flights [6].
Track status? passportstatus.state.gov [13].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html
[2] Passport Forms: pptform.state.gov
[3] Lost/Stolen: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html
[4] Agencies: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/emergencies.html
[5] VA Vital Records: vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records
[6] VA DMV: dmv.virginia.gov
[7] Fairfax Circuit Court: fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit
[8] Photo Requirements: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
[9] USPS Photos: usps.com/international/passports.htm
[10] USPS Locations: tools.usps.com/find-location.htm?locationType=passport
[11] Fairfax Clerk: fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/

clerk/passports
[12] Fairfax Library: fairfaxcounty.gov/library
[13] Status Check: passportstatus.state.gov
[14] Renew by Mail: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/renew.html
[15] Minors: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html

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