Getting a Passport in Clover Creek, WA: Facilities & Tips

Getting a Passport in Clover Creek, WA

Clover Creek, an unincorporated Pierce County community near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and Pacific Lutheran University, experiences high passport demand from military families on deployments, student exchanges, and commuters heading to SeaTac for international flights. Peak seasons—spring break (March-April), summer vacations (June-August), and winter holidays—overload nearby facilities, with waits exacerbated by Tacoma-area traffic on I-5. This guide streamlines the process with Clover Creek-specific tips, checklists, and official U.S. Department of State links [1]. Critical note: Fees, processing times, hours, and availability change—verify everything on travel.state.gov [1] and contact facilities directly before applying.

Choosing the Right Passport Service

Pick the wrong form, and your application gets rejected—common for Clover Creek business travelers misjudging renewals or JBLM families rushing child passports.

• First-Time (DS-11): No prior passport or issued before age 16. Apply in person; do not sign form until at facility [1].

• Renewal (DS-82): Passport issued <15 years ago, you were 16+ at issue, undamaged/not lost/stolen. Mail it—no visit needed unless changing data [1]. Ineligible? Use DS-11.

• Lost/Stolen/Damaged: Report via DS-64 (free), then DS-11/DS-82 for reissue. Name errors within 1 year: DS-5504 [1].

• Child (under 16): Always DS-11 in person; both parents or notarized consent required [1].

Use the official wizard: pptform.state.gov [2]. Local tip: PLU students often confuse exchange program renewals—check eligibility first.

Required Documents and Eligibility

Originals only (photocopy fronts/back where noted). Mismatched names delay 15% of apps.

Fees: Execution to facility (check/money order); passport fee to State Dept (check). Current amounts/fees at travel.state.gov [1]. Example (pre-2024): Adult book $130 + $35 exec; child $100 + $35.

Passport Photos: Avoiding Rejections

25-30% of rejections stem from photos. Must be: 2x2", color, white/off-white background, head 1-1⅜", eyes open/neutral face, no glasses/selfies/uniforms, <6 months old [4].

Clover Creek pitfalls: PNW overcast light causes shadows; home setups fail sizing. Pros recommend: FedEx Office or Costco (check membership). Pre-validate upload at travel.state.gov/photo [4]. Military uniforms? Plain clothes only.

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Clover Creek

No Clover Creek site—nearest in Spanaway, Parkland, Lakewood (~5-10 miles via WA-7 or 512). All require appointments; book via phone/site as slots vanish in peaks. Verify hours/availability: Call ahead or use iafdb.travel.state.gov [5].

What to expect: 15-30 min visit. Agent verifies docs/forms/photo, oaths you, witnesses signature, seals envelope. No passports issued on-site. Bring: Completed unsigned DS-11 (print single-sided), docs + photocopies, photo, fees. High-volume spots like Lakewood see 20+ daily; arrive prepared.

• Spanaway Post Office (1323 166th St E, Spanaway, WA 98387; ~5 miles): (253) 535-1243 [6].
• Parkland Post Office (9910 112th St S, Tacoma, WA 98444; ~7 miles): (253) 537-6337 [6].
• Lakewood Post Office (6725 Mt Tacoma Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499; ~10 miles): (253) 589-3118 [6].
• Pierce County Auditor (2401 S 35th St, Tacoma, WA 98409; ~15 miles): (253) 798-7441 [7].

Official Locator: Pinpoint/book via State Dept tool—search "Clover Creek, WA": iafdb.travel.state.gov [5]. Avoid Mondays/midday; weekdays AM best. Urgent? Seattle Passport Agency (~2 hrs north) for <14-day travel [8].

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Routine: 6-8 weeks. Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60). Life/death <3 days at agency. Track peaks add delays—no guarantees [1]. Clover Creek tip: SeaTac flights spike summer/Canada ski season—apply 4-6 months ahead. Track: passportstatus.state.gov [9].

Step-by-Step Checklists

First-Time Adult (DS-11)

1. Wizard check [2]; gather docs + photocopies.
2. Fill DS-11 online, print unsigned [1].
3. Get compliant photo [4].
4. Book facility appt (e.g., Spanaway).
5. Arrive early: Sign/oath/pay/seal.
6. Track after 7 days [9].
7. Receive by mail (notify delays >4 wks).

Renewal (DS-82, Mail)

Renew by mail if eligible—ideal for routine renewals in Clover Creek, WA, saving time vs. in-person visits. Decision guidance: Use this only if your passport is undamaged, issued at age 16+, and within 15 years; otherwise, renew in person (e.g., damaged, name change requiring docs, or urgent travel <6 weeks away). Common mistake: Assuming all passports qualify—kids' passports or limited-validity ones don't.

1. Confirm eligibility
   Check: Passport issued ≥16 years old, ≤15 years ago, undamaged/not reported lost/stolen, signature complete, U.S. citizen.
   Practical tip: Download DS-82 from travel.state.gov; review page 2 checklist.
   Common mistake: Overlooking 15-year rule—leads to rejection/return.

2. Prepare documents and fees

   • Completed DS-82 (black ink, no staples).
   • Your most recent passport (don't sign new book yet).
   • One 2x2" color photo (white background, <6 months old, head 1-1⅜", eyes open/neutral expression—print at CVS/Walgreens).
   • Fees: $130 application + $30 execution (personal check/money order to "U.S. Department of State"; optional $60 expedite).
     Practical tip: Use clip (not staple) to attach photo to DS-82; write name/DOB on check back.
     Common mistake: Wrong photo specs (50% rejection rate) or cash/credit (not accepted).

3. Mail application
   Use the address in DS-82 instructions (USPS First-Class/Priority; insured tracking recommended).
   Practical tip: Go to a Clover Creek-area post office for mailing—ask for Certified Mail with Return Receipt (~$8 extra) for proof. Avoid holidays/peaks (processing 6-8 weeks standard, 2-3 expedited).

4. Track status
   After 1 week, use online tracker at travel.state.gov (enter check # or app ID) or call 1-877-487-2778.
   Practical tip: Save receipts; expect photo returned with passport.
   Common mistake: Not tracking—delays go unnoticed (aim for 4+ weeks before travel).

Child (DS-11)

1. Both parents/child appear (or DS-3053 notarized).
2. Child citizenship + parental IDs.
3. Fees/photo/docs.
4. In-person only [1].

Common Challenges and Local Fixes

• High demand: Spanaway fills 4-6 wks out summers—alternate Lakewood weekdays.
• Form errors: DS-82 ineligible? Restart as DS-11 (20% issue).
• Parental consent: Pre-notarize DS-3053 saves child app delays.
• Photos/docs: Measure twice; DOH orders backlog in peaks [3].
• Traffic/delays: Factor 30 min from Clover Creek; track obsessively [9].

Urgent Travel Scenarios

<14 days: Itinerary proof + Seattle Agency appt (1-877-487-2778) [8]. JBLM emergencies: Contact base legal first. No local same-day.

Tracking and Delays

Receipt # at passportstatus.state.gov [9]. Issues? 1-877-487-2778 [10]. Lost post-issue: DS-64 [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

Same-day passport near Clover Creek? No—Seattle Agency only for proven urgent [8].

Expedited vs. urgent? Expedited ($60, 2-3 wks) anywhere; urgent (72 hrs) life/death agencies [1].

Appointments required? Yes all listed—book via [5]/[6].

WA birth cert? DOH online $25 [3]; Tacoma office for rush.

Damaged passport? DS-11 new app [1].

Name change? Proof + DS-82 if eligible [1].

Passport card for flights? No—land/sea only [1].

Summer travel timing? 6 months min; avoid peaks [1].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passports
[2] Passport Wizard
[3] WA DOH Vital Records
[4] Photo Requirements
[5] Facility Locator
[6] USPS Locations
[7] Pierce County Auditor
[8] Passport Agencies
[9] Status Tracker
[10] Contact Info