Passport Services

Make an appointment at the Juniata County Library to get or renew your passport!

You will receive an email or phone call from a real person confirming your appointment day and time. Your appointment is not scheduled until you hear from the library.

Passport applications

You may download the passport application form you need and bring it completed to your appointment. Applications must be completed in black ink.

1st-time passport application (DS-11): https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11_pdf.PDF

You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true:

You are applying for your first U.S. passport
You are under the age of 16
Your current or previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16
Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago

If none of the above statements apply to you, you may be eligible to Renew using Form DS-82.

2. Passport renewal application (DS-82): https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82_pdf.pdf

You can complete this application on your own without the library's help. If you would like help filling out the form and assembling it for you to mail it, let us know!

Note: youth under the age of 16 cannot renew a passport. They must apply for a new passport until they reach 16 years old.

When applying for a passport book: if you are a frequent international traveler, you may want to request a large book (non-standard) as it gives you more pages for stamps. There is no extra charge for the large book. If you fill up all of the pages in 10 years or less, you must then apply for a new passport via the DS-82 renewal form. Additional pages cannot be added to a current passport book.

Make an appointment. You will receive an email or phone call from a real person confirming your appointment day and time. Your appointment is not scheduled until you hear from the library.

Passport Service Fees

Application fees must be paid with a check or money order to the U.S. Department of State.
Execution fees as well as fees for photos are paid to the Juniata County Library with cash, credit, debit, or check.
One check is submitted to the government per application and includes the application fee as well as any other optional fees such as the expedited processing fee or 1-2 day delivery fee.
None of the passport application fees can be paid online ahead of your appointment. There are websites that advertise that you can pay the fees online, but all passport application fees must be paid directly to the U.S. State Department by check or money order, which gets stapled to and mailed in with your application.

Passport Photos

Passport photo cost: $10

The library is able to take and print your passport photo. You are also able to take and print your own photo before your appointment and bring it with you. Please read the government's requirements for passport photos: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

If you are getting a passport photo for a young child, let a passport agent know so that we can get a proper size chair for the photo or a white back drop for them to lay down on.

Photo re-takes are free of charge.

Before your appointment

You may download the form and fill it out ahead of time.
The PDF application allows you to type in your answers.
Applications filled out by hand must be filled out in black ink.
Blank applications can be obtained at the library.

A 1st-time passport application appointment usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.
A passport renewal application appointment usually takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Once your 1st-time passport application is complete, the library itself sends it in the mail that day or the next business day. If you are renewing your current passport, you yourself take it to the post office to mail it.

The following documents must be brought to your appointment to apply for a 1st-time passport:

1. Original copy of proof of citizenship either in the form of a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a U.S. Passport. This proof, along with a copy that the library makes, is mailed with your application to the passport office and will be returned to you with your passport.

Birth certificates must be issued by the state in which the birth occurred and have a raised seal.
The birth certificate must list both parents' names at birth.
Notification of birth or a hospital certificate is unacceptable.
If you need to obtain a state-issued birth certificate, contact Pennsylvania Vital Records:
-Request a birth certificate online: https://mycertificates.health.pa.gov/pastorefront/customer/pa/paHome.xhtml
-Obtain a birth certificate the same day in-person: 555 Walnut St #1, Harrisburg, PA 17101 | (717) 772-3480 | Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

2. 2 identical passport photos

The library can take and print your photo at the time of your appointment for $10.
If you are bringing your own photo, it must be 2 inches X 2 inches, in color, on glossy paper, front view, with a light-colored background, and taken within the last 6 months. No dark or non-prescription glasses.
Photos already taken and printed can be provided to the library for use on the application as long as they meet the above requirements.
Visit the State Department website to learn about the photo requirements: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

3. Photo ID & Social Security card

Examples of photo ID:
1) a valid state-issued driver’s license or state-issued photo ID.
Note: the state-issued driver’s license or state-issued photo ID cannot be expired.
Note: if using a driver's license, it does not have to be a Real ID.

2) A state-issued Junior driver's license is acceptable.

If you are under the age of 18 and do not have a state-issued driver's license or photo ID, you may bring a parent (minimum of 1 parent) and have them sign your application. We will make a copy of their state-issued driver's license or photo ID and submit it with your application.
If you are under the age of 18 and only have a current photo school ID, you must bring a parent (minimum of 1 parent) and have them sign your application. We will make a copy of their state-issued driver's license or photo ID and submit it with your application.

4. Proof of a last name change

If your last name now is different from when you were born, you must bring to your appointment your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order for a name change to retake your prior surname. A copy of any of these documents you must bring will be made and mailed with your application; you keep the original copies.
If your last name now is different from your current passport, you must bring a certified certificate stating how it changed. For example: a certified marriage certificate.
Marriage certificates issued by the officiant, such as a pastor, are not acceptable.

5. Should your departure be in less than 10 days

Speak to a passport agent at the library and they will give you the phone number and steps to take.

For minors (under 16 years old):

Both parents must be present to sign for a minor under the age of 16 years.
If this is not possible, form CD-3053 or a notarized letter must be provided explaining the reason for the absent parent.
A front and back copy of each of their valid photo ID/drivers licenses must be made and sent in with the minor's application.

For applicants ages 16 and 17:

The consent of one legal parent/legal guardian is required to issue a U.S. passport. This can be satisfied in one of the following ways

One legal parent/legal guardian must be present at the passport appointment and along with the applicant must sign the application;
Complete ahead of time and bring to the appointment form DS-3053 (statement of consent: issuance of a U.S. passport to a child.) Important: This form must be notarized.

For passport renewals - you only need to bring the following:

Your current passport
A check or money order

After your appointment

Routine turn-around time is 4-6 weeks from the date the State Department receives the application (as of October 3rd, 2024.)

Expedited processing of a passport application takes 2-3 weeks to process and mail to you (as of December 18 2023.)

It is the same processing time for passport renewals and new passports.

All passports will be mailed to the address given on the passport application. New passports will be sent to you via Priority Mail, which takes 1-2 days. If you submitted your current passport with your application it will be sent separately to you via regular mail, which can take up to 1 week.

Your passport book or card will be mailed to you in one envelope. Your original documents submitted (such as birth certificate) will be mailed to you in a separate envelope within 10 days of the first envelope. If you request a new passport book and card, you will receive 3 separate envelopes with each in it (passport book, passport card, birth certificate.)

If you are renewing your current passport, your new passport will be mailed to you first. Your previous passport will be mailed back to you separately. Your new passport will have a different passport number from your previous one.

If you provide an email address on your passport application, you may view online the progress of your application.

If you have questions about the status of your passport, you may call the NPIC hotline at 1-877-487-2778. It is recommended you call as soon as they open (8:00 AM weekdays.) You may also contact your U.S. Congressperson for assistance.

If the U.S. Department of State needs you to submit additional documentation or re-do part of the application process, they will contact you in writing by mail. If you provided an email address on your application, you will be contacted by email as well as in writing by mail.

Visit the U.S. Department of State's passport website for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting a passport

Do I need an appointment? No. However, appointments are highly recommended so that we can best serve you.
How old does someone have to be to get a passport? A person of any age can get a passport. All children under age 16 must apply for a passport in person with two parents or guardians using Form DS-11. Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years. They cannot be renewed and must complete Form DS-11 again in 5 years.
Which type of passport do I need? Two types of passports are available: a passport book and a passport card. The book allows for all forms of travel, including international flights. The card only allows for domestic flights (within the United States) and land travel to foreign countries, such as driving to Canada or getting off a cruise and entering another country.
I have a passport from when I was a kid. Can I renew it? Passports issued before the age of 16 cannot be renewed. They are valid for travel for 5 years and applicants must then file all over again for a passport using form DS-11.
I have a passport from a long time ago (20-30 years ago.) How do I get a new passport? Passports can be renewed within 15 years of it being issued to you. If your passport is more than 15 years old and has not been renewed, you must use Form DS-11 and apply for a new passport. If you still have your old passport, you can bring it with you to your appointment.
I got married and now my last name on my most recent passport is different from my current last name. What do I do? If your current passport was issued less than 15 years ago and you got married less than a year ago, you can renew your passport using form DS-82. If you got married more than a year ago, you must file for a new passport using form DS-11. This applies even if your current passport is valid and not expired. You must include with your application the official marriage certificate issued by the county you were married in. Marriage certificates issued by the officiant, such as a pastor, are not acceptable.
My last name on my most recent passport is now different from my current last name. What do I do? If your last name has changed due to marriage, divorce, adoption, etc. you must include with your application the official documentation issued by the county or state (marriage certificate issued by the county, divorce decree, etc.)
I don't have a check. How can I pay for my passport? You may use a money order, which can be obtained from places such as Walmart, Weis, the post office or other businesses that issue them.
I lost my passport. What do I do? If your passport was lost or stolen, you must include with your passport application a completed copy of form DS-64. If your passport was issued more than 15 years ago and was not renewed, you must complete form DS-11. If your passport was issued less than 15 years ago and was not renewed, you must complete form DS-82.
I only have a photo ID issued by my school. Is that acceptable? If you are under the age of 18 and only have a current photo school ID, you must bring a parent (minimum of 1 parent) and have them sign your application. We will make a copy of their state-issued driver's license or photo ID and submit it with your application.
Can I pay any of the passport application fees online ahead of my appointment? No. There are websites that advertise that you can pay the fees online, but all passport application fees must be paid directly to the U.S. State Department by check or money order, which gets attached and mailed in with your application.
Our infant does not yet have a social security number. What do we put down on the application? Ask the passport agent for the page titled "social security number declaration (minor)." That page must be completed and then sent with the DS-11 application.
I'm under 16 years old and one of my parents is incarcerated. What do I do?
-If the incarcerated parent is still a legal guardian, you must have the DS-3053 form completed by them, notarized, and then brought to the passport appointment. The original copy of this document must be submitted with the application. A photocopy of it cannot be accepted.
-If the incarcerated parent is no longer your legal guardian and someone else is your legal guardian, such as another parent or grandparent, you do not need to complete the DS-3053 form. You must have your legal guardians come to the passport appointment, have copies made of their notarized guardian paperwork, have front/back copies made of their drivers license/state issued ID, and have them sign your passport application.
Are the passport applications available in languages other than English? At this time they are not. The State Department website is available in Spanish, but the forms are only in English.

Travel questions

Do I need a passport if I am going on a cruise? Depending on the island(s) your cruise is traveling to, you may need a passport to enter the country or territory. Please consult with your travel agent or the cruise company for specific guidance. Most of the time you only need a passport card since you will not be entering by airplane.
Do I need a passport if I am driving to Canada? You only need to have on hand your state-issued ID, such as a driver's license, and your official birth certificate to enter Canada by land. Having a passport card can also allow you to go to and from Canada by land. If you are flying into Canada you must have a passport book. Each border agent may handle situations differently so it is recommended you have a passport to ensure you travel smoothly across borders.
What do I need if I want to fly within the U.S.? Either a passport card, passport book, or Real ID. Each of the 50 states handles Real ID's differently. Some have already begun requiring either a Real ID or a passport to fly within the U.S. (domestic) while others have not. All states will eventually require travelers to either have Real ID, passport card, or a passport book to fly within the U.S.
Can I get a passport in just a few days? The State Department can issue a passport in less than 14 days if there is a life-or-death emergency, such as an immediate family member dying, is dying (in hospice, etc) or has a life-threatening illness or injury. The State Department defines an immediate family member as a 1) Parent or legal guardian, 2) Child, 3) Spouse, 4) Sibling or 4) Grandparent. They do not consider aunts, uncles, cousins, or other relatives to be immediate family members. If you are traveling to another country for medical services, you will not qualify for life-or-death emergency service.
What happens if there is a problem in the area where I am traveling to? The State Department will use the emergency contact you listed on your application in the event of a problem. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service for U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. In an emergency, it also helps the State Department get in touch with you. You can enroll at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step

After you submit your application

How long does it take to get a passport? A 1st-time passport application appointment usually takes about 30 minutes to complete. A passport renewal application appointment usually takes about 15 minutes to complete. Once complete and mailed to the U.S. Department of State, the routine processing takes 4-6 weeks from the date the State Department receives the application till it is mailed to you (as of October 3 2024.) Expedited processing of a passport application takes 2-3 weeks to process and mail to you (as of December 18 2023.) Once processed, all passports will be mailed to the address given on the passport application. New passports will be sent to you via Priority Mail, which takes 1-2 days. If you submitted your current passport with your application it will be sent separately to you via regular mail, which can take up to 1 week.
I applied for a passport. How can I check the status of its processing? You can check the status in the following ways:
--U.S. Passport Application Status website: https://passportstatus.state.gov/. This website allows you to see the progress of your application being processed and mailed to you. You can enter your email address on the website to get notified of its progress.
--NPIC hotline at 1-877-487-2778. It is recommended you call as soon as they open (8:00 AM EST weekdays.)
--Contact your U.S. Congressperson for assistance. For constituents who live in Pennsylvania's 13th district, you may contact U.S. Congressman John Joyce at 717.753.6344 or 717.708.8185. With your permission, his office can check the status of your passport book application. The status of a passport card is handled differently and his office will work to assist.
I received my passport in the mail but didn't get my birth certificate and or old passport back. Will I get them back? Yes. They are mailed separately from your passport and usually arrive a few days after your passport.
I used up all of the stamping pages in my passport book. Can I get more pages added to my current passport? If you fill up all of the pages in 10 years or less, you must then apply for a new passport via the DS-82 renewal form. Additional pages cannot be added to a current passport book. If you are a frequent international traveler, you may want to request a large book (non-standard) as it gives you more pages for stamps. There is no extra charge for the large book.
I received my passport but my name is printed incorrectly on it. What do I do? You can correct your passport if there is a data or printing error. A data error may include an issue with your name, gender, or place of birth. A printing error may include data is missing on the biographical page, discoloration, or crooked printing. They will correct the error at no charge if the passport is still valid.

To correct a data or printing error, submit the following by mail:

Form DS-5504 (find mailing instructions on the form)
Your current passport
One color photo
Evidence of the error (e.g. your U.S. birth certificate showing the correct spelling of your last name).
You will not have to submit any fees.