A Comprehensive Guide to obtaining a New Passport in Massachusetts

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In a world that’s increasingly interconnected, having a passport is not just a document for international travel; it’s a gateway to exploration, adventure, and opportunities. If you're a US citizen planning to embark on a journey abroad, whether it’s for business, pleasure, or personal reasons, obtaining a passport is the first step in making your travel dreams a reality. In Massachusetts, the process is straightforward but requires attention to detail and adherence to specific requirements. This guide aims to walk you through the process of obtaining a new US passport in Massachusetts, covering requirements, application procedures, and tips to streamline the process.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the requirements and process of obtaining a new US passport, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Understanding Passport Basics

Before delving into the passport application process, it’s essential to understand what a passport is and its significance:

What is a Passport?

A passport is an official government document that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder. It allows the bearer to travel internationally and serves as a primary form of identification.

Types of US Passports:

  • Regular Adult Passport (Form DS-11): This is the standard passport issued to US citizens for personal and business travel for adults over the age of 16.  This passport is issued for 10 years.
  • Regular Child Passport (Form DS-11): This is the standard passport issued to US citizens who are under the age of 16. Minor passports are issued for 5 years and are not renewable.
  • Official Passport: Issued to US government employees or officials traveling abroad for government business.
  • Diplomatic Passport: Issued to diplomats or other government officials for travel related to diplomatic duties.

Requirements for Obtaining a US Passport in Massachusetts

Before initiating the new passport application process in Massachusetts, it's crucial to understand the requirements for obtaining a US passport. Here are the primary prerequisites:

Eligibility: 

Before getting into the new passport application process, let’s ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for a new US passport.

To be eligible to apply for a US passport, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. US Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States to apply for a US passport.
  2. Proof of Identity: You must present evidence of your identity, such as a valid driver's license, government-issued ID, or previous passport.
  3. Proof of Citizenship: You need to provide a certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previously issued US passport as proof of citizenship.
  4. Documents Required for a New Passport in Massachusetts: Obtaining a new US Passport in Massachusetts requires the following passport application documents be gathered.
  5. New Passport Application Form (DS-11): Available online or at passport acceptance facilities, this form must be filled out accurately and completely.  You’ll present this form at your Passport Acceptance Appointment and have them adjudicate (effectively witness) the signing of the document in front of the agent.
  6. Proof of Identity: Provide a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or military ID to prove your identity in applying for your passport.
  7. Proof of Citizenship: Present a certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previously issued US passport.
  8. Passport Photo.  You’ll need 2 passport photos that meet the passport agency criteria which includes the color photo:
  9. on a white background, 
  10. Includes a clear image of your face,
  11. No eyeglasses or headgear in photo,
  12. Is printed on photo quality paper in a 2x2 inch size
  13. Payment for new passport: The routine fee for a new passport application is $130 and if expedited is $190 (the $60 is an expedite fee).  Also, the Passport Acceptance agent will charge $35 for their execution services.  The application fee is payable via a money order or check.
  14. Additional Documents (if applicable): If you've changed your name, provide legal documentation such as a marriage certificate or court order.

The New Passport Application Process in Massachusetts

Now that you have gathered all the necessary documents, it's time to proceed with the application process in Massachusetts:

Step 1: Complete the Application Form (DS-11)

  • Fill out Form DS-11 accurately and legibly. You can complete the form online and print it out or obtain a copy from a passport acceptance facility in Massachusetts.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

  • Collect all the necessary documents, including proof of identity, proof of citizenship, passport photo, and any additional documentation required for special circumstances.

Step 3: Locate a Passport Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency

  • Find the nearest Massachusetts passport acceptance facility or passport agency where you can submit your new passport application. Passport acceptance facilities include post offices, public libraries, and clerk of court offices and many require appointments.  Be sure to check the offices operating hours and appointment requirements. Typically the process takes 15 minutes or so and you can make an appointment at a post office with this link.
  • Passport Agencies require travel within 14 calendar days and appointments be set. You can make an appointment at the Passport Agency appointment system.

Tips for a Smooth Application

  • Double check that all information on your forms is accurate and legible before mailing.
  • Make copies of all documents for your records.
  • Do not sign the application before your acceptance agent gives you instructions to do so.
  • If your passport has six months' validity remaining at the time of application, consider renewing it three months before its expiration date for routine service in Massachusetts.

If you perform the above procedures, then your passport renewal in Massachusetts shouldn't be a hassle.

Facility Name Street Address City State Zip Phone
BARNSTABLE POST OFFICE 3230 MAIN ST BARNSTABLE MA 2630 5083622413
BOURNE PLANNING BOARD 24 PERRY AVENUE BUZZARDS BAY MA 2532 5087590615
BREWSTER POST OFFICE 260 UNDERPASS RD BREWSTER MA 2631 8002758777
CHATHAM ASSESSORS OFFICE 549 MAIN STREET CHATHAM MA 2633 5089455103
EAST SANDWICH POST OFFICE 443 ROUTE 6A EAST SANDWICH MA 2537 5088334684
FALMOUTH POST OFFICE 120 MAIN STREET FALMOUTH MA 2540 5084570158
HARWICH COMMUNITY CENTER 100 OAK STREET HARWICH MA 2645 5084307568
HYANNIS POST OFFICE 385 MAIN STREET HYANNIS MA 2601 5087757344
MASHPEE POST OFFICE 11 MARKET ST MASHPEE MA 2649 5084776190
MASHPEE TOWN CLERK 16 GREAT NECK ROAD NORTH MASHPEE MA 2649 5085391418
PROVINCETOWN POST OFFICE 219 COMMERCIAL STREET PROVINCETOWN MA 2657 5084870368
SOUTH DENNIS POST OFFICE 9 MARKET PLACE SOUTH DENNIS MA 2660 5087601362
TOWN OF BREWSTER - ASSESSORS OFFICE 2198 MAIN STREET BREWSTER MA 2631 5088963701
TOWN OF ORLEANS - ASSESSORS DEPARTMENT 19 SCHOOL ROAD ORLEANS MA 2653 5082403700
TOWN OF YARMOUTH - ASSESSORS OFFICE 1146 ROUTE 28 SOUTH YARMOUTH MA 2664 5083982231
GREAT BARRINGTON POST OFFICE 222 MAIN STREET GREAT BARRINGTON MA 1230 4135283670
LEE POST OFFICE 35 FRANK CONSOLATI WAY LEE MA 1238 4132431392
NORTH ADAMS POST OFFICE 67 SUMMER STREET NORTH ADAMS MA 1247 4136644554
PITTSFIELD POST OFFICE 212 FENN STREET PITTSFIELD MA 1201 4134426961
STOCKBRIDGE POST OFFICE 1 ELM STREET STOCKBRIDGE MA 1262 4132984422
ATTLEBORO POST OFFICE 901 PLEASANT STREET ATTLEBORO MA 2703 5082229201
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD TREASURERS OFFICE 133 WILLIAM STREET ROOM 107 NEW BEDFORD MA 2740 5089791428
FALL RIVER POST OFFICE 2 GOVERMENT CTR FALL RIVER MA 2722 5086466565
MANSFIELD POST OFFICE 12 GILES PLACE MANSFIELD MA 2048 5083396942
NEW BEDFORD - USPS GEORGE LEIGHTON FACILITY 695 PLEASANT STREET NEW BEDFORD MA 2740 5089797420
NORTH ATTLEBORO ELECTIONS OFFICE 43 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET NORTH ATTLEBORO MA 2760 5086990106
SOUTHWORTH LIBRARY 732 DARTMOUTH STREET DARTMOUTH MA 2748 5089990726
TAUNTON POST OFFICE 37 TAUNTON GREEN TAUNTON MA 2780 5088236028
TOWN OF DIGHTON 979 SOMERSET AVE DIGHTON MA 2715 5086695043
TOWN OF FREETOWN 3 NORTH MAIN STREET ASSONET MA 2702 5086442201
DUKES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 81 MAIN STREET EDGARTOWN MA 2539 5086274668
VINEYARD HAVEN POST OFFICE 1 LAGOON POND ROAD VINEYARD HAVEN MA 2568 5086932818
WEST TISBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY 1042 STATE ROAD WEST TISBURY MA 2575 5086933366
ANDOVER POST OFFICE 10 STEVENS ST ANDOVER MA 1810 9784759436
BEVERLY FARMS POST OFFICE 36 WEST STREET BEVERLY MA 1915 9789273688
BEVERLY MAIN POST OFFICE 151 RANTOUL STREET BEVERLY MA 1915 9789223338
BOXFORD POST OFFICE 7 ELM STREET BOXFORD MA 1921 9788870837
DANVERS TOWN HALL 1 SYLVAN STREET DANVERS MA 1923 9787770001
GLOUCESTER POST OFFICE 15 DALE AVE GLOUCESTER MA 1930 9782835188
HAVERHILL POST OFFICE 2 WASHINGTON SQUARE HAVERHILL MA 1830 9783735417
IPSWICH POST OFFICE 27 MARKET STREET IPSWICH MA 1938 9783562585
LAWRENCE POST OFFICE 431 COMMON STREET LAWRENCE MA 1842 9786914588
LYNN POST OFFICE 51 WILLOW STREET LYNN MA 1901 7815869043
LYNNFIELD POST OFFICE 38 SUMMER STREET LYNNFIELD MA 1940 7813343932
MARBLEHEAD POST OFFICE 27 SMITH STREET MARBLEHEAD MA 1945 7816312140
MERRIMAC POST OFFICE 79 EAST MAIN ST MERRIMAC MA 1860 9783467400
METHUEN POST OFFICE 272 BROADWAY ST METHUEN MA 1844 9786834019
NEWBURYPORT CITY CLERK 60 PLEASANT ST NEWBURYPORT MA 1950 9784654407
PEABODY POST OFFICE 4 ESSEX CENTER DR PEABODY MA 1960 9785325477
ROCKPORT POST OFFICE 39 BROADWAY ROCKPORT MA 1966 9785462667
ROWLEY POST OFFICE 161 MAIN STREET ROWLEY MA 1969 9789485514
SALEM CITY HALL COLLECTORS OFFICE 93 WASHINGTON STREET SALEM MA 1970 9786195622
SALEM POST OFFICE 2 MARGIN STREET SALEM MA 1970 9787444671
SOUTH LYNNFIELD POST OFFICE 598 SALEM STREET LYNNFIELD MA 1940 7815994830
TOPSFIELD POST OFFICE 4 MAIN STREET TOPSFIELD MA 1983 9788875307
TOWN OF IPSWICH 25 GREEN ST IPSWICH MA 1938 9783566610
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER - CLERK 120 MAIN ST NORTH ANDOVER MA 1845 9786889501
WENHAM POST OFFICE 146 MAIN STREET WENHAM MA 1984 9784684493
WEST NEWBURY POST OFFICE 284 MAIN STREET WEST NEWBURY MA 1985 9783632948
GREENFIELD POST OFFICE 442 MAIN STREET GREENFIELD MA 1301 4137733654
SHELBURNE FALLS POST OFFICE 7 CHURCH STREET SHELBURNE FALLS MA 1370 4136256757
SOUTH DEERFIELD POST OFFICE 60 SUGARLOAF ST SOUTH DEERFIELD MA 1373 4136652587
TURNERS FALLS POST OFFICE 178 AVENUE A TURNERS FALLS MA 1376 4138634727
BRIMFIELD POST OFFICE 1 MAIN STREEET BRIMFIELD MA 1010 4132453451
CHICOPEE BOARD OF REGISTRARS 274 FRONT STREET CHICOPEE MA 1013 4135941550
CHICOPEE POST OFFICE 28 MAIN STREET CHICOPEE MA 1020 4135929451
FEEDING HILLS POST OFFICE 1339 SPRINGFIELD STREET FEEDING HILLS MA 1030 4137861030
HAMPDEN POST OFFICE 534 MAIN ST HAMPDEN MA 1036 4135665393
HOLYOKE MALL POSTAL STORE INGLESIDE MALL HOLYOKE MA 1040 4135360230
HOLYOKE POST OFFICE 650 DWIGHT STREET HOLYOKE MA 1040 4135344577
LONGMEADOW PARKS AND RECREATION 735 LONGMEADOW STREET LONGMEADOW MA 1106 4135654160
MONSON POST OFFICE 109 MAIN ST MONSON MA 1057 4132679277
PALMER POST OFFICE 1057 PARK STREET PALMER MA 1069 4132838211
SOUTHWICK POST OFFICE 653 COLLEGE HIGHWAY SOUTHWICK MA 1077 4135696619
SPRINGFIELD POST OFFICE 1883 MAIN STREET SPRINGFIELD MA 1101 4137310562
WEST SPRINGFIELD POST OFFICE 74 ELM STREET WEST SPRINGFIELD MA 1089 4137342321
WESTFIELD POST OFFICE 8 WEST SILVER ST WESTFIELD MA 1085 4135622221
WILBRAHAM POST OFFICE 40 POST OFFICE PARK WILBRAHAM MA 1095 4135963146
AMHERST POST OFFICE 145 UNIVERSITY DRIVE AMHERST MA 1002 4135490523
AMHERST TOWN CLERK 4 BOLTWOOD AVENUE AMHERST MA 1002 4132593035
BELCHERTOWN POST OFFICE 35 MAIN STREET BELCHERTOWN MA 1007 4133236619
EASTHAMPTON POST OFFICE 191 NORTHAMPTON ST EASTHAMPTON MA 1027 4135270060
HADLEY POST OFFICE 186 RUSSELL ST. HADLEY MA 1035 4135860961
HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT 15 GOTHIC STREET NORTHAMPTON MA 1061 4135845810
SOUTH HADLEY POST OFFICE 1 HADLEY ROAD SOUTH HADLEY MA 1075 4135388686
WARE POST OFFICE 165 WEST ST WARE MA 1082 4139679914
WILLIAMSBURG POST OFFICE 1 WILLIAMS STREET WILLIAMSBURG MA 1096 4132687274
ACTON POST OFFICE 7 POST OFFICE SQUARE ACTON MA 1720 9782637744
ARLINGTON POST OFFICE 10 COURT STREET ARLINGTON MA 2476 7816481941
ASHBY POST OFFICE 10 COMMON RD ASHBY MA 1431 9783860041
AYER POST OFFICE 1 COLUMBIA ST AYER MA 1432 9787726896
BEDFORD POST OFFICE 156 GREAT ROAD BEDFORD MA 1730 7812753068
BELMONT POST OFFICE 405 CONCORD AVENUE BELMONT MA 2478 6174844201
BURLINGTON POST OFFICE 5 BEDFORD STREET BURLINGTON MA 1803 7812704449
CENTRAL SQUARE POST OFFICE 770 MASSACHUSETTS AVE CAMBRIDGE MA 2139 6175758700
CHELMSFORD POST OFFICE 45 ALPINE LANE CHELMSFORD MA 1824 9782562670
CHESTNUT HILL POST OFFICE 12 MIDDLESEX ROAD CHESTNUT HILL MA 2467 6175660941
CITY OF MELROSE ASSESSORS OFFICE 562 MAIN STREET MELROSE MA 2176 7819794104
CONCORD POST OFFICE 34 WALDEN STREET CONCORD MA 1742 9783697613
DRACUT POST OFFICE 54 BROADWAY RD DRACUT MA 1826 9784412458

Step 4: Submit Your New Passport Application

Visit the selected passport acceptance facility or agency in person. Present your completed application form, supporting documents, and passport photo.

If you're applying for a child's passport (under 16 years old), both parents or guardians must be present, or you must provide notarized consent from the absent parent through a Passport Form DS-3053.

Step 5: Pay the Fees

Pay the applicable fees, including the passport application fee and execution fee. Payment methods may vary depending on the location, so be prepared to pay with cash, check, or credit/debit card.

Step 6: Await Passport Processing

After submitting your application in Massachusetts, your passport will undergo processing. Routine processing times vary but generally range from 6 to 8 weeks. You can check the status of your passport application online.

Step 7: Receive Your Passport

Once processed, your new passport will be mailed to you at the address you provided on the passport application form. It's essential to double-check the information on your passport upon receipt to ensure accuracy.

Expedited New Passport Processing Options

If you require your passport urgently, expedited processing options are available for an additional fee:

Expedited Service: The expedited service option at the USPS option shortens the processing time to 3 to 4 weeks. You can request expedited service when submitting your application at a passport acceptance facility or agency and the extra fee is $60.

Expedited Appointment at Passport Agency: In cases of emergency travel (within 72 hours), you can schedule an appointment at a passport agency for expedited processing.

Expedited through a private passport expediting service like us.  At Passports and Visas.com, we can expedite passports as fast as 3 days.

Conclusion

Obtaining a new US passport in Massachusetts may seem like a daunting task, but with the right information and preparation, it can be a straightforward process. By understanding the requirements, gathering the necessary documents, and following the step-by-step application process outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to holding a valid passport and embarking on your next adventure with confidence. Whether you're planning a vacation, studying abroad, or conducting business internationally, your passport opens doors to endless possibilities and experiences around the world. So, seize the opportunity, and let your passport be your ticket to new horizons!

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