Passport Guide for Chico WA: Kitsap Facilities, Forms, Checklists

Passport Guide for Chico, WA

Chico residents in Kitsap County often need passports for Bremerton naval relocations, University of Washington student exchanges, or peak-season family trips (spring/summer tourism, winter breaks). International travel to Asia/Europe adds pressure on local facilities, causing appointment shortages. Drawing from U.S. Department of State guidelines, this guide offers Kitsap-specific steps, checklists, and pitfalls—like form mix-ups or photo rejections—to streamline your process [1][2].

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Pick the wrong form, and you'll face return mail or extra trips—a top issue for rushed Chico naval families and students.

• First-Time, Minor, or Expired >15 Years: DS-11 required in person (no signing ahead). Expect staff to witness signature and review docs on-site.

• Renewal: DS-82 by mail if issued at 16+, undamaged, and <15 years old—even if expired. Skip in-person for busy schedules [3].

• Lost/Stolen/Damaged: File DS-64 report first. Use DS-82 if renewal-eligible; DS-11 otherwise. Expedite for urgent naval moves [4].

• Corrections/Name Changes: DS-5504 (mail) if <1 year old; otherwise DS-82/DS-11 [2].

Minors under 16: Always DS-11 with both parents. Use the State Department's wizard for personalized checklists [5]. Local note: Kitsap students frequently err on renewal eligibility during semester crunches, leading to doubled facility visits.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Chico

No Chico facility exists—head to Kitsap hubs, where Bremerton naval traffic and Silverdale commuters spike demand on Mondays, mid-days (11 a.m.-2 p.m.), and during spring/summer tourism or winter relocations. Appointments via usps.com or kitsap.gov fill fast; walk-ins unlikely in peaks. Plan for 20-45 minute waits: Staff verify docs, witness DS-11 signatures, collect fees ($35 execution, cash/card/check accepted), and mail to processing—no on-site photos/printing. Bring duplicates (photos, copies) [6][7][8].

Key options:

• Kitsap County Auditor's Office (Port Orchard): 619 Division St, Port Orchard, WA 98366. Handles DS-11, minors, non-mail renewals. Appointments required [7].
• Silverdale Post Office: 9321 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale, WA 98383 (~10 miles from Chico). High local use for DS-11 [8].
• Bremerton Post Office: 312 Prospect St, Bremerton, WA 98337 (15-20 min drive). Slots vanish quickly from naval crowds [8].
• Central Kitsap Community Library (Sylvia Spit

ler Building): Check for passport fairs via locator tool [6].

Search real-time availability [6].

Required Documents and Forms

Submit originals (certified copies returned). Rejections often hit missing minor consent or secondary ID.

• Citizenship: Certified birth certificate (WA DOH replacements: $25+, 2-4 weeks) [9]; naturalization certificate; old passport.
• ID: Valid photo ID (WA enhanced driver's license works) [2].
• Minors: DS-3053 from absent parent; court orders [2].

Download single-sided from travel.state.gov (black ink). Pitfall: Pre-signing DS-11—sign only at facility [10].

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

Photos cause 25-50% of Kitsap returns. Specs: 2x2 inches, color, <6 months old, 1-1⅜ inch head, white/off-white background, no glare/glasses/shadows/uniforms/hats/neutral expression. Puget Sound lighting often fools selfies [11].

Shoot at CVS/Walgreens/Costco near Silverdale ($15) or USPS ($15-20). Validate free online tool first to cut 4-6 week delays [11].

Fees and Payment Methods

Dual payments: State Dept (check/money order), facility ($35 execution fee).

• Adult book: $130 + $30 card option. Minor book: $100 [12].
• Expedited: +$60. Urgent: Agency extras.

Routine first-time adult book: ~$200 total. Renewals: One check to "U.S. Department of State." Confirm Kitsap payment options ahead—cash sometimes refused [12].

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine: 6-8 weeks (10+ in WA peaks); add mailing from remote Chico. Track after 1 week [13][10].

• Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60, priority mail).
• Urgent (<14 days): Seattle Agency (2-hour drive); call 1-877-487-2778 with itinerary/proof. Naval orders boost chances [14].

Decision: >10 weeks out? Routine. 5-10? Expedited. <5? Urgent agency.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Preparing Your Application (DS-11)

1. Wizard for forms [5]; download unsigned DS-11.
2. Get citizenship proof (WA birth cert early [9]).
3. Validate ID (WA DOL renewals).
4. Compliant photos (tool-check [11]).
5. Complete extras (DS-3053 minors).
6. Fees ready (two checks + $35).
7. Book appointment [6-8].
8. Arrive early; sign on-site with originals.
9. Receipt in hand; track [10].

Step-by-Step Checklist: Mail Renewal (DS-82)

1. Confirm eligibility [3].
2. Auto-fill DS-82 online.
3. Add old passport, photo, f

ee check. 4. Mail to PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 [3]. 5. Track 1 week postmark [10].

Special Considerations for Minors and Urgent Scenarios

Minors: Both parents or notarized DS-3053/custody docs. Naval perks: Military IDs/orders speed proofs. Lost: DS-64 immediately [4]. WA records delay 2-4 weeks—anticipate [9].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Same-day in Kitsap? No—Seattle urgent only with proof [14].

Expedited vs. urgent? 2-3 weeks ($60) vs. agency <14 days [13].

Photo fixes? Retake to specs; tool combats WA glare [11].

Expired >5 years? DS-82 if eligible [3].

Silverdale appointments? Mandatory; naval/students book quick [8].

WA birth cert? DOH certified, $25+ [9].

Passport card? $30 for cruises/land-sea (Canada/Mexico/Caribbean) [12].

Solo parent minor? DS-3053 notarized [2].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] How to Apply for a Passport
[3] Renew an Adult Passport
[4] Lost or Stolen Passport
[5] Passport Application Wizard
[6] Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[7] Kitsap County Auditor - Passports
[8] USPS Passport Services
[9] Washington State DOH - Vital Records
[10] Check Application Status
[11] Passport Photos
[12] Passport Fees
[13] Processing Times
[14] Urgent Travel Service