Getting Your Passport in Shady Spring, WV: Beckley Guide

Getting Your Passport in Shady Spring, WV

Shady Spring, a small Raleigh County community of about 3,000, has no passport acceptance facilities, so residents head to nearby Beckley (12-18 miles via WV-10/WV-211, 15-20 minute drive). Demand spikes in spring for university breaks at Concord University and summer for family trips from Raleigh County Airport. Common delays stem from form errors (e.g., using DS-82 for first-timers), poor photos, or missing photocopies. This guide cuts through with Raleigh County-specific checklists, facility details, and timelines—plan 10+ weeks ahead for routine processing.[1]

Determine Which Passport Service You Need

Start with the State Department's form wizard to match your situation. Wrong forms cause 20% of rejections; eligibility hinges on passport age, condition, and name changes.[1]

Scenario	Form	Method	Common Pitfalls & Fixes
First-time, child <16, or ineligible renewal	DS-11	In-person at acceptance facility	Signing form early; fix by printing fresh and signing only in front of agent
Eligible renewal (issued at 16+, <15 years old, undamaged, issued in your current name)	DS-82	Mail	Overlooking name changes >1 year old; verify with old passport
Lost/stolen/damaged	DS-64 (report) + DS-82 (if eligible) or DS-11	Mail or in-person	Skipping DS-64 report; expedite if travel <6 weeks away
Name correction (<1 year on passport)	DS-5504	Mail	Using DS-82 for older passports; include marriage/divorce docs
Child <16 with one parent absent	DS-11 + DS-3053 (notarized consent)	In-person	Submitting divorce papers instead; get DS-3053 notarized ahead

Raleigh County tip: Post-marriage name changes often disqualify DS-82—many locals default to DS-11 at Beckley facilities.[2]

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near Shady Spring

All nearby sites handle DS-11 first-time/new applications (no passports issued on-site). Expect 30-60 minutes: agent reviews docs, you sign DS-11 and swear an oath, they seal and mail it. Bring organized folder with checklist; $35 execution fee (check/money order payable to facility). Book appointments online via USPS or call—walk-ins rare, especially Mondays 10am-3pm. Confirm hours/slots as they vary.[5][6]

| Facility | Address & Drive Time from Shady Spring | Phone & Hours | Key Details | |----------|------------------------

---------------|---------------|-------------| | Beckley Post Office (primary) | 400 N Eisenhower Dr, Beckley, WV 25801 (15 min) | (304) 255-2522; Passport appts Mon-Fri ~10am-3pm (call to confirm) [6] | Full DS-11 service; busiest midweek mornings | | Raleigh County Circuit Clerk's Office | 215 Main St, Beckley, WV 25801 (18 min) | (304) 255-9123; Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm, appointments recommended [7] | Processes DS-11; fewer crowds than USPS | | Princeton Post Office (backup, south) | 100 Princeton Ave, Princeton, WV 24740 (25 miles/40 min via I-77) | (304) 425-6451; Hours vary—confirm via USPS locator [6] | DS-11 alternative if Beckley full | | Charleston (farther north, ~1 hr) | Use facility locator [5] | Varies | Overflow during peaks |

Pro Tips: Tue-Thu mornings least busy. Traffic on WV-10 can add 5 minutes during rush hour. For urgent needs (<14 days), skip these—use passport agencies only.[8]

*Interactive map pinned to Beckley Post Office, Raleigh County Clerk, and Princeton Post Office; estimated drives from Shady Spring center (37.753, -81.249). Zoom/pan for routes.*

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

1. Fill DS-11 at travel.state.gov, print single-sided—do not sign yet.[1]
2. Citizenship proof: Original long-form birth certificate + photocopy both sides (WV: $12 from Vital Records, 3-5 days routine).[9]
3. Photo ID (e.g., WV driver's license) + full-page photocopy; names must match citizenship doc.[1]
4. One 2x2 passport photo (specs below).[10]
5. For minors <16: Child's birth cert + both parents' IDs/birth certs + photocopies; or notarized DS-3053 from absent parent + their ID copy.[4]
6. Fees: $35 chec

k to facility; $130 adult/$100 child to "U.S. Department of State" (+$60 expedite).[11] 7. Book appointment (USPS locator or phone); arrive 15 min early with printed checklist. 8. At facility: Agent verifies, you sign DS-11, swear oath—get receipt with tracking barcode. 9. Track status after 7-10 days at passportstatus.state.gov; routine 4-6 weeks from mailing.[12]

Top Error: No photocopies—agents send you home. Routine timeline: 4-6 weeks total; peaks add 2 weeks.

Passport Photos: Local Options and Rejection Fixes

Poor photos reject 25-30% of apps, especially under WV's indoor lights causing glare. Specs are strict—use samples at travel.state.gov.[10]

Requirement	Specs & Shady Spring-Area Tips
Size	2x2 inches; head 1-1⅜ inches chin to top
Background	Off-white/plain—no patterns, shadows, or selfies
Pose	Neutral expression, eyes open straight-on (head 50-69% of frame)
Attire/Accessories	Everyday clothes (no uniforms); glasses OK if no glare blocks eyes
Print	Recent color (<6 months), matte paper, ~$15

Get at Beckley Walmart Vision Center, Walgreens, or CVS (confirm passport service). Preview digitally; retakes delay by weeks if mailed back.

Fees, Processing Times, and Payment

Service	Application Fee (to State Dept)	Acceptance Fee	Total Adult (Routine)	Timeline
Routine DS-11/82	$130 ($100 child)	$35	$165	4-6 weeks
Expedited	$130 + $60	$35	$225	2-3 weeks
Urgent Agency (<14 days)	$130+	Varies + travel	$225+	Same/next day

Pay facility cash/check; State Dept check/money order only (two separate payments for DS-11). Apply 10+ weeks pre-trip; track delays online.[11][12]

Expedited vs. Urgent Travel

• Expedited (+$60): Request at acceptance facility or with DS-82; shaves 2-4 weeks (total 2-3 weeks).[13]
• Urgent (≤14 days): Book regional passport agency (e.g., Washington DC, 5-hour drive) with flight itinerary/proof—no local facilities qualify.[8]
• Life-or-death emergencies: Call 1-877-487-2778 for agency slot.

Mistake: Expecting same-week from Beckley—won't happen.

DS-82 Renewal by Mail Checklist

Eligible? Old passport signature page intact, <15 years old, no major changes.[2]

1. Co

mplete DS-82 online, print single-sided. 2. Old passport + new 2x2 photo + $130 check to "U.S. Department of State." 3. Mail to: National Passport Processing Center, PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 (expedited: PO Box 90152).[2] 4. Track with receipt; 4-6 weeks routine, no execution fee.

Expired >15 years or ineligible? Use DS-11 process.

West Virginia-Specific Notes

• Birth certificates: Long-form required ($12 routine, 3-5 days; expedited next-day UPS from WV Vital Records).[9]
• Name changes: Certified marriage cert ($10) for DS-5504.[9]
• Students/military: Concord University—align with visa deadlines; Beckley bases accept DEERS for ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport same-day near Shady Spring? No—local facilities mail apps; urgents require agencies.[8]

How long for WV birth cert? 3-5 days routine; call for rush.[9]

Photo rejected—what next? App returned by mail (2+ weeks delay); reprint at Walgreens, refile.[10]

Solo parent for child passport? Notarized DS-3053 + your ID + absent parent's ID copy.[4]

Renewing a 20-year-old passport? Treat as new: DS-11 in-person.[1]

Passport card for land/sea travel? Same process, $30 fee.[15]

Lost passport abroad? Report to embassy; file DS-64/DS-11 upon U.S. return.[3]

Sources

[1] Passports Overview
[2] Renew by Mail (DS-82)
[3] Lost/Stolen Passports
[4] Children Under 16
[5] Acceptance Facility Locator
[6] USPS Passport Services
[7] Raleigh County Clerk
[8] Urgent Travel
[9] WV Vital Records
[10] Passport Photos
[11] Fees
[12] Application Status
[13] [Expedited Service](https://trave

For residents of Shady Spring, WV, expedited passport service can cut routine processing from 6-8 weeks to 2-3 weeks (plus mailing) for an extra $60 fee—ideal if you're facing imminent travel but have time to visit a nearby passport acceptance facility (use the State Department's locator tool to confirm availability, as not all locations offer it). Common mistake: forgetting to bring proof of travel (like flight itinerary) for the $60 expedite fee waiver in urgent cases; always verify facility hours and appointment needs in advance to avoid wasted trips. Decision guidance: Opt for expedited if your trip is within 6 weeks; otherwise, standard service saves money.

Expedited Service
Passport Card

Passport Book vs. Card Decision Guide

• Book ($130+): Required for all international air/sea travel; full validity (10 years adults). Choose this for versatility.
• Card ($30+): Wallet-sized, valid only for land/sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caribbean; shorter validity (10 years adults). Pick if that's your only need—cheaper and faster to get.
  Common mistake: Buying a card thinking it'll work for flights (it won't); double-check your itinerary first.