Passport Sunday event set Dec. 3
JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) – Teton County Clerk of District Court Anne C. Sutton is reminding international travelers that passport processing continues to take much longer than it once did.
Community members needing new or updated passports for spring break travel are encouraged to submit their applications soon.
The Clerk of District Court Office will be hosting a Passport Sunday event at the Teton County Courthouse on Dec. 3. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 307-733-2533 option 2 or emailing codc@tetoncountywy.gov.
District Court Clerk Sutton recommends reviewing passport expiration dates and spring travel needs as soon as possible. Passports issued for children up to 15 years old expire in just five years. This short timeframe often goes by more quickly than families realize. Passports issued for those 16 and older older are valid for ten years. The U.S. Department of State (U.S.D.S.) reports processing times at up to 10 weeks for routine processing, and up to 5 weeks for expedited processing (an additional $60), but those timeframes do not include mailing time to and from U.S.D.S. Mailing time could add up to two weeks each way, adding up to four weeks to the total estimated turnaround time. December 11th is 14 weeks before the last week of school before spring break. January 15th is 9 weeks before the last week of school before spring break. With many holidays and closures between now and spring break, Clerk Sutton encourages starting as early as possible given the variability of processing and mailing times.
Passport agent processing is required for all first-time passports, renewals of five-year passports, adults whose most recent passport was lost or stolen, and certain other circumstances outlined on travel.state.gov. Passport holders who have a ten-year passport in their possession that has not expired more than ten years must usually send their renewal application directly to the Department of State on their own and therefore do not require a visit or appointment. Passport agents at the library and courthouse cannot send in adult renewal applications that qualify for using the DS-82 adult renewal form.
To minimize appointment time and prevent return trips, applicants should review all application requirements in advance of their appointment. Passport Sunday appointments can only be made by calling 307-733-2533 option 2 or emailing codc@tetoncountywy.gov. The Teton County Library also provides passport application appointments. Appointments at the library can be made online HERE. Information on the new library services can be found HERE or by emailing passports@tclib.org or calling 307-733-2164 x 3301. The Clerk of District Court Office is continuing to offer 8 a.m. and 9 .am. appointments as passport services are transitioned to the Teton County Library. These early appointments can be made online HERE.
