Overview. For people living in or near Iowa City, one of the easiest ways to apply for a new passport, or renew an old passport, is to visit the Main Post office on Clinton Street. Applications are available and photo services are provided that meet the requirements for a passport photo.
Contact. It’s probably best to contact the National Passport Information Center by e-mail at NPIC@state.gov or by calling 877-487-2778 if you have questions. In Iowa City, you can call the Main Post Office at 319-354-1560 and press 5 to reach the passport processing desk. Kathy is the contact person there.
Passport Photo. The cost for passport photos is $15 for the two required photos. There are various specifications for a passport photo such as proper lighting, dimensions and composition, as well as about 100 other variables. If the photo doesn’t meet all of the requirements, it may be rejected — delaying the processing of the Passport application. So, it’s best to have a qualified person take the photo.
Application Form. The application form for renewal is only two pages. Rather than mailing it in directly, it is probably advisable to have someone at the passport office review it to ensure it is filled out completely and correctly.
Fees. The passport processing fees increased on 1 February 2008. They are now $70 plus $30 (paid to the Post Office or local processing agent).
Processing Time. It may take four to six weeks for processing of the application. Any delays or complications will delay the process even further. It is possible to pay an extra $60 expedite the application processing and receive your passport in a few weeks. If there is any reason to believe there might be a complication with your passport processing, it may be advisable to pay the extra $60 to know sooner rather than later.
Required Documents. For renewals, it will be necessary to provide your most recent outdated passport. It will be sent back to you with the new passport.
More Information. More information can be found online: