Getting a Passport @ your library!

What do winter vacations to Bermuda, summer cruises to the Caribbean, viewing the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, school trips to Germany, and studying abroad have in common? You need a U.S. Passport!  
Did you know that you can apply for one right here at our library? The library processes applications by appointment only, so please call first!

When calling to schedule an appointment, the librarian will go over the list of things you need to bring before asking when you'd like to schedule. Please keep in mind - Minors aged 16 or 17 only need one parent in attendance, while children under 16 need to have both parents in attendance. If one parent absolutely cannot attend (ie, they're out of state or country), they must fill out a DS-3053 Statement of Consent form and have it notarized in advance. Adults 18 and older may apply on their own.  

Please procure the following items for each applicant:


1) Your original birth certificate, issued by the state, with a raised seal, and both of your parent's names listed as well as yours. (We cannot take photocopies, hospital or baptismal certificates, "registration of birth" certificates, or birth certificates that do not have your parent's names listed, according to Agency rules. If you need a new birth certificate, visit the Department of Health website of the state where you were born to  request a new one. You can visit the PA website here.) If you are over 18, you may use your expired U.S. Passport in place of a birth certificate.

2) Your valid Driver's License, Government, or Military ID if you are 16 or older. You can use a PA State ID, issued by the DMV, but you'll also need to bring a second form of identification. Driving permits cannot be accepted. For minors under 16, both parents must be in attendance and have their valid driver's license; no ID for the child is required.

3) A recent passport photo. These photos have very specific requirements, so it is best if you have your photo taken at CVS, a AAA agency, or any number of other places. Wear items you normally wear, keep a straight face, and if you have polarized or progressive glasses, remove them for your picture. Taking your picture at home or using a school photo is strongly discouraged.

4) A completed DS-11 Passport Application Form. This form must be filled out in black ink, whether you fill it out online and print it, or if you fill it out by hand. (If you bring a form filled out in pencil or any other ink, you will be asked to fill it out again using black ink.)  Read the directions and the form itself, then fill it out as carefully and completely as possible. Whatever you leave blank will have to be researched by the Agency, and could delay processing. If you make a mistake, do not use whiteout - simply draw a line through the error and write the correct answer next to the error.

5) Two checks or money orders per application. One check or money order will be mailed with your passport application. This amount varies according to your age, what type of passport you'd like, and how soon you need the passport. You can check current prices here.

The other check or money order is for the $25 processing fee, which helps to support the library. If needed, you may pay cash for the processing fee, or combine the processing fees for multiple people, but you must use a separate check or money order for each passport application fee. In other words, a family of four would need at least 5 checks: one for each person's application fee, and one for their combined $25 processing fees. We cannot accept starter checks.


Before you come to the library for your appointment, please make sure that you have all of these things with you!  Bring your things to the front desk upon arrival and inform the library ladies that you're here for a passport appointment. We'll take it from there!

 *NOTE: You can renew your passport by yourself if it expires soon or if it has expired within 15 years of its issue date. (If it's been more than 15 years since your passport was issued, or if you never had one before, you need to fill out the DS-11 form and make an appointment with the library.) Pick up a DS-82 form, make sure you can say "yes" to all of the questions on the checklist, then fill out and mail the form yourself according to the directions. The library cannot process these renewals, though we can answer questions about them!

You can view all of the specific requirements and the complete list of other accepted forms of citizenship, IDs, and special circumstances here.


If you have any questions, feel free to call the library, or visit the Official Passport Website, travel.state.gov. See you here!