Applying for a Passport at the Library

The Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest has been designated as a Passport Acceptance Facility and can accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. You can access the documents required to apply for a U.S. passport, acquire a passport photo, pay applicable fees and mail your application at this facility. Please note that these services are provided by appointment only. Walk-in applicants WILL NOT be accepted.

Passport Application Appointments

Passport applications are accepted by appointment only. To make an appointment, visit our calendar below:

If you have additional questions, please contact us at 205.978.3683

Payment Methods

The Passport Application Fee and any additional services fees (e.g. Expedited Service) may only be paid for with a CHECK (personal, certified, cashier’s or traveler’s) or MONEY ORDER payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”

Fees

Passport application fees vary depending on the applicant’s age, the physical format of the passport (passport book or passport card or both), the speed with which you want your application processed, and any additional services you need from the U.S. Department of State. In addition to the application fee, there is an execution fee that the library retains for completing the application.

For more information regarding passport fees, click here.

In addition to the Passport Application and Execution Fees, an additional charge of $15 is incurred if you wish to take your passport photo at this facility. It is also possible to bring your passport photo with you, so long as it meets the required criteria.

For Passport Photo Requirements, click here.

Processing Times

Normal processing times for “routine service” take 4-6 weeks. “Expedited service” takes 2-3 weeks and requires an additional fee. These processing estimates do not include the time it takes to mail your application to Passport Services and/or receive your passport back from them. If you must travel in under 2 weeks and need a passport, you will need to set up an appointment and visit an official Passport Agency or Center.

Please note that processing times may change depending on the season and the volume of requests. To see the most up-to-date estimate, please click on the links below.

Passport Application Instructions

The U.S. Department of State has a set of detailed instructions regarding the Passport Application Process. To ensure that you have a successful experience, please utilize the passport website below:

Step by Step Instructions for First-Time and Renewal Applicants

If you are unable to utilize the above wizard, you can collect the required passport application forms from the library or print them out below.

• Form DS-11
• Form DS-82
• All other forms

If you are applying for a child under the age of 16, there are extra steps that need to be completed. Please click here to see the required process.

If you need to change or correct your passport, please click here to see the detailed process.

Reminders for First Time Passport Applicants

You are REQUIRED to bring the appropriate documentation and fees to the library at the time of your appointment. Failure to do so will necessitate that you make another appointment once you have all of the required documents.

For first-time applicants this includes:

• Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (original document, not a copy)
• Photo identification and a copy of the identification
• Passport photo (unless you are acquiring here)
• Completed form DS-11 (NOT SIGNED)
• Payment for the Passport Application Fee and Execution Fee

Reminders For Renewal Passport Applicants

Adult renewals do not come to a passport acceptance facility. In order to RENEW your passport, you must mail the following items to the address on form DS-82:

• Current or expired passport book (Expired no more than 5 years)
• Passport photo
• Completed form DS-82 (SIGNED)
• Payment for Passport Application Fee
• Note: You must mail this application in yourself. You do not require the assistance of any Passport Acceptance Facility.