A Comprehensive Guide to obtaining a New Passport in Washington

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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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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 Washington

Before initiating the new passport application process in Washington, 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 Washington: Obtaining a new US Passport in Washington 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 Washington

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

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 Washington.

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 Washington 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 Washington.

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

Facility Name Street Address City State Zip Phone
ADAMS COUNTY SUP CT CLERK 210 W. BROADWAY RITZVILLE WA 99169 5096593257
BENTON COUNTY CLERK 7122 W. OKANOGAN PL, BLDG A KENNEWICK WA 99336 5097358388
BENTON COUNTY CLERK 620 MARKET ST. PROSSER WA 99350 5097865624
USPO - BENTON CITY 909 DALE AVE. BENTON CITY WA 99320 5095882740
USPO - RICHLAND 639 CULLUM ST RICHLAND WA 99352 5099437531
CHELAN COUNTY CLERK 350 ORONDO AVE WENATCHEE WA 98801 5096676380
USPO - WENATCHEE 301 YAKIMA STREET #110 WENATCHEE WA 98801 5096635069
CITY OF SEQUIM - CITY CLERK 226 N. SEQUIM AVE SEQUIM WA 98382 3606834139
CLALLAM COUNTY AUDITORS OFFICE 223 E. 4TH ST, STE 1 PORT ANGELES WA 98362 3604172221
USPO - PORT ANGELES 424 EAST 1ST STREET PORT ANGELES WA 98362 3604177528
USPO - BATTLE GROUND 418 W. MAIN ST. BATTLE GROUND WA 98604 3606876197
USPO - LA CENTER 421 NE JOHN STORM AVE. LA CENTER WA 98629 3602637269
USPO - VANCOUVER 2700 CAPLES AVE VANCOUVER WA 98661 3609925000
USPO - VANCOUVER DOWNTOWN STATION 1211 DANIELS ST. VANCOUVER WA 98660 3609925000
USPO - WASHOUGAL 129 PENDLETON WAY WASHOUGAL WA 98671 3608358582
COLUMBIA COUNTY CLERK 341 E. MAIN ST. STE 2 DAYTON WA 99328 5093824321
COWLITZ COUNTY DISTRICT COURT 312 SW 1ST AVE. RM 207 KELSO WA 98626 3605773073
USPO - CASTLE ROCK 126 COWLITZ ST. W CASTLE ROCK WA 98611 3602745209
USPO - LONGVIEW 1603 LARCH STREET LONGVIEW WA 98632 3606368593
USPO - ORONDO 14003 STATE ROUTE 2 ORONDO WA 98843 5097841270
FERRY COUNTY CLERK 350 E. DELAWARE, STE 4 REPUBLIC WA 99166 5097755225
USPO - DANVILLE 2 FOURTH OF JULY CREEK RD DANVILLE WA 99121 5097794485
FRANKLIN COUNTY CLERK 1016 N 4TH AVE, STE 306 PASCO WA 99301 5095453525
GARFIELD COUNTY CLERK 789 MAIN ST. POMEROY WA 99347 5098433731
GRANT COUNTY CLERK 35 C ST. NW, ROOM 218 EPHRATA WA 98823 5097542011
USPO - GRAND COULEE 407 MIDWAY AVE GRAND COULEE WA 99133 5096330781
USPO - MOSES LAKE 223 W 3RD AVE. MOSES LAKE WA 98837 5097646701
USPO - ABERDEEN 115 NORTH K ST. ABERDEEN WA 98520 3605377205
USPO - MONTESANO 211 W. PIONEER AVE. MONTESANO WA 98563 3602493322
USPO - OCEAN SHORES 689 DOLPHIN AVE. NE OCEAN SHORES WA 98569 3602893665
WESTPORT MUNICIPAL COURT 604 N. MONTESANO ST WESTPORT WA 98595 3602680125
CITY OF LANGLEY 112 2ND STREET LANGLEY WA 98260 3602214246
CITY OF OAK HARBOR SENIOR CENTER 51 SE JEROME ST OAK HARBOR WA 98277 3602794580
USPO - OAK HARBOR 1155 SE CITY BEACH ST. OAK HARBOR WA 98277 3602401499
JEFFERSON COUNTY AUDITOR 1820 JEFFERSON ST. PORT TOWNSEND WA 98368 3603859116
CITY OF AUBURN 25 W MAIN STREET AUBURN WA 98001 2539313039
CITY OF BLACK DIAMOND 24301 ROBERTS DR, STE B BLACK DIAMOND WA 98010 3608865700
CITY OF BOTHELL MUNICIPAL COURT 10116 NE 183RD ST. BOTHELL WA 98011 4254875587
CITY OF CLYDE HILL 9605 NE 24TH ST. CLYDE HILL WA 98004 4254537800
CITY OF ENUMCLAW 1339 GRIFFIN AVE. ENUMCLAW WA 98022 3606155605
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY 33325 8TH AVENUE SOUTH FEDERAL WAY WA 98003 2538357000
CITY OF ISSAQUAH 1775 12TH AVE NW ISSAQUAH WA 98027 4258373003
CITY OF KIRKLAND 123 5TH AVENUE KIRKLAND WA 98033 4255873000
CITY OF LAKE FOREST PARK 17425 BALLINGER WAY NE LAKE FOREST PARK WA 98155 2069572834
CITY OF MAPLE VALLEY 22017 SE WAX ROAD, STE 200 MAPLE VALLEY WA 98038 4254138800
CITY OF MEDINA 501 EVERGREEN POINT ROAD MEDINA WA 98039 4252336400
CITY OF MILL CREEK POLICE DEPT 15728 MAIN ST MILL CREEK WA 98012 4259215743
CITY OF NEWCASTLE 12835 NEWCASTLE WAY, STE 200 NEWCASTLE WA 98056 4256494444
CITY OF NORMANDY PARK 801 SW 174TH ST. NORMANDY PARK WA 98166 2062487603
CITY OF RENTON 1055 S. GRADY WAY RENTON WA 98057 4254306985
CITY OF SAMMAMISH 801 228TH AVENUE SE SAMMAMISH WA 98075 4252950500
CITY OF SEATAC 4800 S 188TH ST. SEATAC WA 98188 2069734660
CITY OF WOODINVILLE POLICE DEPT 17301 133RD AVE NE WOODINVILLE WA 98072 4258772279
KCCSC - BLACK RIVER 919 SW GRADY WAY RENTON WA 98057 2062967810
KCCSC - NORTHSHORE 10808 NE 145TH STREET BOTHELL WA 98011 2062969840
KCCSC - VASHON ISLAND 10011 SW BANK ROAD VASHON WA 98070 2064776659
KCDC - BELLEVUE 585 - 112TH AVE. SE BELLEVUE WA 98004 2062059200
KCDC - BURIEN 601 SW 149TH ST. BURIEN WA 98166 2062059200
KCDC - ISSAQUAH 5415 - 220TH AVE. SE ISSAQUAH WA 98029 2062059200
KCDC - REDMOND 8601 - 160TH AVE. NE REDMOND WA 98052 2062059200
KCDC - SEATTLE DIVISION 516 3RD AVE, E327 SEATTLE WA 98104 2062059200
KCDC - SHORELINE DIVISION 18050 MERIDIAN AVE N SHORELINE WA 98133 2064772705
MALENG REGIONAL JUSTICE CENTER - CSC 401 4TH AVE. N, #1C KENT WA 98032 2062057330
NSC - BALLARD 5604 22ND AVE. NW SEATTLE WA 98107 2066150725
NSC - CENTRAL 2301 S. JACKSON ST, #208 SEATTLE WA 98144 2066150725
NSC - LAKE CITY 12525 28TH AVE NE SEATTLE WA 98125 2066150725
NSC - SOUTHEAST CENTER 3815 S. OTHELLO ST., STE. 105 SEATTLE WA 98118 2066150725
NSC - SOUTHWEST 2801 SW THISTLE ST SEATTLE WA 98126 2066150725
NSC - UNIVERSITY DISTRICT 4534 UNIVERSITY WAY NE SEATTLE WA 98105 2066150725
USPO - BELLEVUE 1171 BELLEVUE WAY NE BELLEVUE WA 98004 4254535655
USPO - COVINGTON STATION 17300 SE 270TH PLACE COVINGTON WA 98042 2536396833
USPO - DES MOINES STATION 2003 S. 216TH ST. DES MOINES WA 98198 2068243647
USPO - ISSAQUAH 400 NW GILMAN BLVD ISSAQUAH WA 98027 4258378795
USPO - MERCER ISLAND 3040 78TH AVE SE MERCER ISLAND WA 98040 2062328834
USPO - NORTH BEND 451 E. NORTH BEND WAY NORTH BEND WA 98045 4258317020
USPO - NORTH CITY STATION 17233 15TH AVE NE SHORELINE WA 98155 2063640656
USPO - REDMOND 7241 185TH AVE NE REDMOND WA 98052 4259561289
USPO - RENTON HIGHLANDS 4301 NE 4TH STREET RENTON WA 98059 4252276304
USPO - SEATTLE MIDTOWN 301 UNION STREET SEATTLE WA 98101 2067485413
USPO - TERMINAL STATION 2420 4TH AVE S. SEATTLE WA 98134 2066522467
USPO - WESTWOOD STATION 2721 SW TRENTON ST SEATTLE WA 98126 2069387769
CITY OF POULSBO 200 NE MOE ST POULSBO WA 98370 3607799846
KITSAP COUNTY CLERK 614 DIVISION ST. PORT ORCHARD WA 98366 3603377164
USPO - SILVERDALE 10855 SILVERDALE WAY NW SILVERDALE WA 98383 3603080301
KITTITAS COUNTY CLERK 205 W. 5TH, SUITE #210 ELLENSBURG WA 98926 5099627531
USPO - ELLENSBURG 100 EAST 3RD AVE. ELLENSBURG WA 98926 5099259035
KLICKITAT COUNTY CLERK 205 S. COLUMBUS AVE. #204MS CH-03 GOLDENDALE WA 98620 5097735744
LEWIS COUNTY CLERK 345 W. MAIN ST. CHEHALIS WA 98532 3607402704
USPO - CENTRALIA 214 CENTRALIA COLLEGE BLVD CENTRALIA WA 98531 3608071169
LINCOLN COUNTY CLERK 450 LOGAN ST. DAVENPORT WA 99122 5097251401
MASON COUNTY CLERK 419 N. 4TH ST. SHELTON WA 98584 3604279670
USPO - ALLYN 18329 E. STATE ROUTE 3 ALLYN WA 98524 3602756504
OKANOGAN COUNTY CLERK 149 N. 3RD AVE #301 OKANOGAN WA 98840 5094227275
USPO - OMAK 104 S. MAIN ST OMAK WA 98841 5098262060
USPO - LONG BEACH 101 OREGON AVE N. LONG BEACH WA 98631 3606423984
USPO - RAYMOND 406 DURYEA ST. RAYMOND WA 98577 3609425911
PEND OREILLE COUNTY CLERK 229 S. GARDEN AVE NEWPORT WA 99156 5094472435
USPO - NEWPORT 100 N. WASHINGTON AVE NEWPORT WA 99156 5094474221
BONNEY LAKE MUNICIPAL COURT 9002 MAIN STREET E. STE 100 BONNEY LAKE WA 98391 2538626606
CITY OF BUCKLEY 933 MAIN ST. BUCKLEY WA 98321 3608291921

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 Washington, 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 Washington 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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