Passports

COVID-19 Safe-Guards

In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the following safe-guards have been implemented and supersede the information provided further below:
  • All passport issuance agencies have been closed to the public until further notice.
  • Expedited service will resume September 28, 2020 for the additional $60 fee. Estimated turn-around time for expedited passports is up to 7 weeks.
  • Eligible customers may continue to renew their expiring passports through the mail.
  • The U.S. Department of State is operating with minimal staff and now estimates routine service turn-around time to be up to 11 weeks.
  • Passport acceptance agencies, such as ours, may continue to accept both non-expedited and expedited passport applications, however, the social-distancing practice requires that you make an appointment with us. You may do so by calling our office at (320) 693-5440.
  • In order to minimize the length of your appointment, we ask that you arrive with your application already completed and all required documents in hand:
  •           Completed Application
  •           Original Certified Birth Certificate
  •           Driver's License
  •           Passport Photo (if you choose not to have this taken at our treasurer's office)
  •           Cash or Check (no debit or credit cards accepted) payable to the Meeker County Recorder ($35 per application)
  •           Check (no cash, debit or credit cards accepted) payable to the U. S. Department of State for the passport fee (see chart below)

General Passport Information

The Meeker County Recorder’s Office is an acceptance agent for passport applicants. Our passport department is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No passport applications will be accepted after 3:00 p.m. An appointment is required. Make your appointment by calling our office at (320) 693-5440.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPEAR IN PERSON

There are several items you will need to bring with when you do come in for your appointment.

• A completed DS-11 form (application) filled out with black ink. DO NOT SIGN IT!

• Certified Birth Certificate from county or state level. (This is not a hospital certificate or a notice of registration from the state.) The certified copy must include name, date of birth, parents' names, and the date of filing.

• A government-issued photo identification (i.e. a valid driver’s license).

• 1 passport picture. These are available at the Meeker County treasurer’s office for an additional $13.00. You may also have your photo taken on your own at select retail stores or photography studios that take passport photos.

• Minors under 16 must appear with BOTH parents and both must have a valid driver’s license. An applicant who is age 16 or age 17 should appear with ONE parent who has a valid driver's license.

• Fee payments in the form and amounts as follows:

PASSPORT BOOK

Age

Regular Fees

Expedited Fees

16 years & older

(Valid for 10 years)

$130.00 CHECK to: US Department of State

$  35.00 check or cash to: Meeker County Recorder

Additional $60.00 to: US Department of State

Under 16 years

(Valid for 5 years)

$100.00 CHECK to: US Department of State

$  35.00 check or cash to: Meeker County Recorder

Additional $60.00 to: US Department of State

PASSPORT CARD

Age

Regular Fees

Expedited Fees

16 years & older

(Valid for 10 years)

$  30.00 CHECK to: US Department of State

$  35.00 check or cash to: Meeker County Recorder

Additional $60.00 to US Department of State

Under 16 years

(Valid for 5 years)

$  15.00 CHECK to: US Department of State

$  35.00 check or cash to: Meeker County Recorder

Additional $60.00 to US Department of State


A normal passport book now takes up to 11 weeks to arrive.  If your travel plans require that you receive it sooner, you should add (to the check payable to the US Department of State) the expedited fee of $60.00. The time frame for an expedited passport is 5 to 7 weeks.


What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
 
A passport card is approximately the size of a standard driver’s license.  It allows you to enter the United States at land border crossings and sea ports of entry when traveling from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.  It is not valid for international air travel.
 
  A passport book is valid for international air, land, or sea travel.

 Save time by completing your DS-11 passport application at home and bringing it with you to our office.

The DS-11 is the form required for first-time applicants and for anyone under 16 years of age. Click here for this form.

Use the DS-82 passport application to renew your passport and send it in yourself.
 

 The DS-82 is the form required for passport renewal. It can be used to renew a passport that has not been expired for more than 5 years if the applicant was at least 16 years of age when the expiring passport was first issued. Click here for this form.
 
 You, as the applicant on the form DS-82, must submit the completed form directly to the appropriate Regional Passport Agency. We do not certify these forms, nor do we send them in.
 
FOR EITHER FORM, print it on two pages (NOT back-to-back), and use black ink to complete it. If you make a mistake, DO NOT use white out or scribble it out. Instead, draw a single line through the error and write the corrected information beside it.
 
 

 

The above information is only a brief summary to frequently-asked questions. We encourage you to also review the U. S. Department of State Passport Website at:   http://travel.state.gov/