For most South Dakota residents, the first step in applying for a new US passport is to find the nearest acceptance facility. These are offices that accept passport applications on behalf of the Department of State. They are usually located in post offices, libraries and court clerks offices. South Dakota has 60 acceptance facilities scattered throughout the state. You can find the one nearest to you by using the search tool on the Department of State’s website.
Next, you’ll need to gather the documents. For a new passport, you’ll need the following:
Government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or a state ID card
A photocopy of the identification you will be using
Proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
One passport photo
A completed copy of application form DS-11. You may fill the form out in advance, but don’t sign it until the acceptance agent gives you the go-ahead.
Payment for the required fees.
After you’ve submitted your application, all you have to do is wait. The normal processing time for a passport application in South Dakota is 4 to 6 weeks. Don’t count on yours getting back to you in four – when it comes to applying for a passport it’s always better to be safe than sorry. For faster processing, request expedited service for an additional $ 60, and it should arrive in 2 to 3 weeks instead.
What if you need your passport sooner than that? Unfortunately, options for South Dakota citizens to get emergency travel documents are limited and may require a good deal of travel.
South Dakota does not have its own regional passport agency office with the ability to issue same-day passports. The closest offices are located in Aurora, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota. You are eligible to make an appointment at a regional passport agency office if you have a confirmed travel itinerary within the next 14 days and you need a US passport. To make an appointment at either of these offices, call 1-877-487-2778.
Because these locations are so far away, you might have an easier time using a private passport expediter. With an expediting company, you only have to take your documents to an acceptance office to have them “sealed.” Then, overnight them to the expediting company and they’ll take care of the rest.
Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer and blogger with a focus on the travel industry.
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