Oregon WI Passport Guide: Facilities, DS-11, Renewals, Times

Getting a Passport in Oregon, Wisconsin

Nestled in Dane County just 10 miles south of Madison, Oregon, WI offers easy access to Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) for direct flights to Mexico, Canada, and Europe—ideal for quick getaways or family reunions. Local travelers, including UW-Madison students heading to study abroad in Europe or Latin America (with fall deadlines often hitting October for spring terms), face peak demand from March-June and November-December. Urgent needs, like sudden job relocations or family emergencies, spike waits at nearby facilities. No on-site passport agencies here, so plan ahead: standard processing hits 6-8 weeks, expedited 2-3 weeks, with Dane County surges adding delays.

This tailored guide equips Oregon residents with checklists, local facility intel, and pitfalls drawn from State Department data and Dane County experiences—helping you decide DS-11 vs. DS-82, sidestep photo fails (30% rejection rate locally), and navigate student or family rushes.

Choose the Right Passport Service for Your Needs

Mismatch your form, and you're stuck reapplying. Key decisions:

First-Time Applicants (DS-11 Only)

Never had a U.S. passport? Under 16? Cannot renew by mail (e.g., major name change not due to marriage/divorce, or pre-2008 passport book needing more pages)? In-person DS-11 required—no mail option. In Oregon, WI, head to a nearby passport acceptance facility during business hours.

Decision guidance: Confirm DS-11 need via State Dept. website (travel.state.gov). Eligible for mail-in DS-82 renewal? Use it to save time/money—must have undamaged passport issued <15 years ago, same name, issued at age 16+.

What to expect (15-30 min typical): Agent reviews docs (citizenship proof like birth cert, photo ID like WI driver's license, 2x2 photo, fees), witnesses signature, seals app in envelope. No apps accepted without all items.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• No passport photo (get at CVS/Walgreens; follow exact specs—no selfies).
• Mismatched names on docs (bring legal proof like marriage cert).
• Expired ID or photocopies (originals only).
• For minors: Both parents/guardians must appear or provide notarized consent (Form DS-3053).

Pro tips for Oregon area: Book appointments online/phone if available—walk-ins risk denial due to volume. Arrive early; facilities may close for lunch. Track status online post-submission (6-8 weeks standard processing). Expedite? Add $60 fee + overnight return.

Renewals (DS-82 Mail Option)

Passport issued 16+, undamaged, <15 years old, same name? Mail DS-82—no facility visit. Dane County folks often err here, driving to Oregon PO unnecessarily. Ineligible (e.g., expired 16+ years)? DS-11 it is.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

Report via DS-64 (free, online/mail), then DS-82 (if eligible) or DS-11. Facilities flag urgents but can't rush.

Decision Tree Checklist:

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

Appointments mandatory at all Dane County spots—slots vanish fast via phone or usps.com. Arrive 15 min early; expect doc scrutiny, oath, and sealing (no passport issued same day).

1. Form DS-11: Download travel.state.gov, black ink, single-sided, unsigned till sworn in. Minors: Both parents or DS-3053 notarized consent.

2. Citizenship Proof: Original birth cert (WI-raised seal via dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords or Dane County Register of Deeds) + photocopy. Rush orders: 1-2 weeks.

3. ID Proof: WI DL, passport card, etc. + front/back photocopy.

4. Photos: Strict 2x2 specs (below). Local: Oregon Walmart Vision ($14.99), Walgreens.

5. Fees: See table. Execution to facility (check/card); app fee check to "U.S. Dept of State."

6. Appointment: List below. Overbook? Multiple sites.

7. Post-Submit: Track after 5-7 days at travel.state.gov. 1-2 day return: +$21.36.

Minors (<16) Extras:

• Child + both parents (or DS-3053 + relationship proof).
• Top Dane County pitfall: Missing consent = instant reject.

Local Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Oregon, WI

Search iafdb.travel.state.gov for real-time slots. High-volume spots like Dane County Clerk process 100s weekly; post offices slower for photos/minors. Recent r/madisonwi forums note Oregon PO waits of 4-6 weeks in summer, Clerk 2-4 weeks.

• Oregon Post Office (114 S Main St, Oregon, WI 53575): Call (608) 835-3505 for Mon-Fri slots. Compact, quick for basics.

• Dane County Clerk's Office (~15-min drive, Madison): 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Mon-Fri 8am-3:30pm appts. Cards OK; excels at minors/business cases.

• Fitchburg Library (5530 Lacy Rd, ~10 min): Phone for slots. Student-friendly with doc help.

• Madison USPS (West/East sides): usps.com for hours; backups if Oregon full.

Chicago Agency (emergencies <14 days): 3+ hr drive, 1-877-487-2778 + proof.

Proximity Map Sketch (Facilities from Oregon PO):

Oregon PO (0 mi)
  ↓ 10 min
Fitchburg Lib (5 mi)
  ↓ 15 min
Dane Clerk (10 mi) → Madison USPS (8-12 mi)

Processing Times, Expedited, and Urgent Travel

UW students: Apply 3+ months pre-deadline (e.g., Sept for Jan abroad) amid surges. Forums report 20% delays in Dec-Jan family rushes.

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

• Appt Droughts: Summer books out—check daily, use 2-3 sites. Resident tip: "Oregon PO freed up midweek mornings" (local Facebook group).

• Photos (30% Fail): Head size off, glare—see guide. Pro services only.

• Docs: WI BC parent mismatch? Amended needed. Minors absent parent: DS-3053 pre-notarized.

• Form Errors: Signed DS-11 pre-oath? Rejected. Use eligibility quiz first.

• Expect at Facility: 20-45 min wait, doc-by-doc check, witness signature. No fixes on-site.

Passport Photos: Detailed Guide

Fail-proof your app:

• 2x2", color, <6 mo old, white bg.
• Head 1-1⅜" (eyes 1⅛-1⅜" from chin).
• Neutral face, no shadows/glare/glasses (med exceptions). Local: Walmart (Oregon), Walgreens—$15, instant.

Fees Breakdown

FAQs

Child passport sans other parent? DS-3053 notarized or sole custody proof.

Real Dane wait? 6-8 wks + peaks; Clerk anecdotes: "Minors done in 7 wks expedited."

16-yr expired? DS-11.

3-wk trip? Expedite; <14 days = agency proof.

WI BC? dhs.wisconsin.gov or Dane Deeds (5534 County Hwy N, Mt. Horeb).

Card OK? Land/sea Canada/Mexico—cheaper.

Clerk vs PO? Clerk for complexity.

Glasses? No glare.

UW deadline rush? Fall apps for spring; forums say apply Aug.

Final Tips for Oregon Residents

Madison proximity shines: Clerk for pros/students, PO for quick. Photocopy everything twice. Check appts weekly via iafdb.travel.state.gov. Early bird wins in peaks.

Sources

[1] travel.state.gov/processing-times
[2] travel.state.gov/urgent-travel
[3] travel.state.gov/forms/ds-11
[4] travel.state.gov/renew
[5] travel.state.gov/lost-stolen
[6] iafdb.travel.state.gov
[7] dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords
[8] travel.state.gov/photos
[9] travel.state.gov/fees
[10] usps.com/passports
[11] danecounty.gov/clerk/passports