Maplewood WA Passport Guide: Forms, Checklists, Facilities

Obtaining a Passport in Maplewood, WA

Maplewood residents in Pierce County, Washington, often apply amid high demand driven by SeaTac Airport's proximity (30-40 minutes north), fueling Alaska cruises, Asia routes, European adventures, winter Canada trips, and student exchanges at nearby University of Washington or Pacific Lutheran University. Peaks hit March-June and December; family emergencies or relocations add urgency—book facilities 4-6 weeks ahead to avoid slots filling overnight [1].

Expect a quick 10-15 minute in-person interview: agent reviews docs, administers oath, seals your application, and hands a receipt with tracking number. Common local snags include photo rejections from overcast skies, DS-82 used by first-timers (requiring DS-11 restart), minors lacking dual-parent consent, or short-form birth certificates without parent backups. This guide provides Pierce County-focused checklists, decision tools, timelines, and State Department steps to streamline your process.

Choosing the Right Passport Service

Select correctly to prevent 4-8 week delays from rejections. First-timers or those with passports expired over 15 years (or issued before age 16) must use DS-11 in person—no mail option. Renewals qualify for mail if issued within 15 years, you're 16+, and it's undamaged/not lost.

Decision Aid: Quiz eligibility at travel.state.gov/forms [2]. Maplewood first-timers face 2-3 week facility backlogs—renewals mail in 4-6 weeks. Locator for nearby spots: iafdb.travel.state.gov [1].

Required Documents and Forms

Gather originals/certified copies + plain paper photocopies (front/back). Fees: acceptance ($35 adult/$30 child) + State Dept application ($130 adult/$100 child). Pay exec fee at facility (cash/check/credit); app fee check/money order to "U.S. Department of State" [3].

First-Time/Replacement In-Person (DS-11) Checklist

1. DS-11: Fill online at pptform.state.gov, print unsigned [2].
2. Citizenship proof: Long-form birth cert (Pierce short-forms often rejected—add parents' births); naturalization cert. Photocopy [3].
3. Photo ID: WA driver's license (REAL ID not required); name change? Marriage cert. Photocopy [3].
4. 2x2 photos: Specs below; 2-4 extras [4].
5. Fees: $165 adult/$135 child routine; +$60 expedite, +$21.36 1-2 day delivery [3].
6. Book appointment: Facilities below [1].
7. At site: Arrive 15 min early; sign form in front of agent.

Minors <16: Both parents/guardians present (or DS-3053 notarized consent from absent + ID photocopy); child attends. Birth cert shows parents. Dual fees. PLU/UW families: 50% rejections from missing consent—double-check [5].

Pierce County Birth Certs: Order long-form via VitalChek ($25-45 + 3-5 day ship, 253-798-7455) or Auditor office [6][8].

Renewal by Mail (DS-82) Checklist

1. Confirm eligibility: Passport <15 years old on top [2].
2. DS-82: Fill/print online [2].
3. New photos, fees, old passport.
4. Mail Certified Return Receipt to form address [3]. Maplewood Perk: No 15-25 min drives to Tacoma/Lakewood; track after 7-10 days [1].

Timeline: Routine receipt → 7-10 days processing start → 6-8 weeks delivery. Peaks add 2 weeks [1].

Passport Photos: Avoiding Common Rejections

WA's frequent clouds cause 25%+ local fails from shadows/glare. Specs [4]:

• 2x2 inches (51x51mm), color, matte finish.
• Head 1-1⅜ inches (25-35mm) tall; eyes ½-⅝ inch from bottom.
• White/off-white background; neutral expression, no smile/glasses/hats (med/religious exceptions with note).
• Even lighting, no creases.

Fixes: USPS/CVS kiosks (~$15, spec-check upload). Facilities allow same-day retakes, resubmit free. Print extras.

Acceptance Facilities Near Maplewood

Maplewood lacks a dedicated site—use Pierce County options 8-15 miles away (10-25 min drive from center at 176th St E & Meridian Ave E; confirm via Google Maps). Book 4-6 weeks early; verify at iafdb.travel.state.gov [1]. No walk-ins.

• USPS Tacoma Main (1101 S 12th St, Tacoma; ~12 mi/20 min): Book here or 1-844-661-8730 [7].
• Pierce County Auditor (2401 S 35th St, Tacoma; ~10 mi/18 min): DS-11 focus; Book via site or 253-798-7455 [8].
• Lakewood Post Office (6917 Pacific Hwy SW, Lakewood; ~8 mi/15 min): Book USPS appt [7].

Urgents: Seattle Agency (~35 mi/45 min) by appt [9]. Tue-Thu mornings best.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

• Routine: 6-8 weeks.
• Expedite: 2-3 weeks (+$60).
• Urgent <14 days: Seattle Agency with itinerary/emergency proof; call 1-877-487-2778 [9].

Apply 10+ weeks pre-travel. Track at travel.state.gov after receipt [1].

Step-by-Step Full Application Checklist

1. Determine needs: DS-11/DS-82? Forms [2].
2. Gather docs: Citizenship/ID/photos + photocopies.
3. Complete form: Unsigned for DS-11.
4. Book & go: Use facility links; 15 min early.
5. Submit: Pay, sign, get receipt/tracking.
6. Monitor: Online after 7-10 days [1].
7. Receive: Signature required; allow delivery buffer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How far ahead for Maplewood trips? 10-12 weeks routine; SeaTac peaks extend [1].
Expedite for 3-week trip? Targets 2-3 weeks (+$60); <14 days needs agency [9].
Short-form birth cert OK? Rarely—add parents' docs [3].
Pierce County birth cert? VitalChek or Auditor (253-798-7455) [6][8].
Walk-ins at USPS Tacoma? No—book online [7].
Photo issues? Shadows/glare frequent; retake on-site [4].
Renew 1 year early? Yes [2].
Single parent for minor? DS-3053 notarized + ID copy [5].

Sources

[1] Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[2] Passport Forms
[3] Documentation
[4] Photo Requirements
[5] Under 16
[6] WA DOH Vital Records; VitalChek
[7] USPS Passports
[8] Pierce County Auditor
[9] Passport Agencies