Berks County Prothonotary's Office: Passport Office in Reading PA
Handicap Accessible (ADA): Yes
Passport Photos: No, you will need to get passport photos taken before going there. Here is our passport photo guide for reference and here is a list of places to get passport photos in Reading.
Reading Passport Office: Berks County Prothonotary's Office Location Overview
Berks County Prothonotary's Office is an acceptance agent/passport office. For passport service in Reading, PA you can go here for passport help. Berks County Prothonotary's Office is a Court facility that is able to witness your signature and seal your passport documents - standard processing is 4-8 weeks. This office DOES NOT issue passports, they will send your passport forms directly to a regional passport facility. There is 1 other passport acceptance agent offices located in Reading. Berks County Prothonotary's Office is located in County, Pennsylvania.About Berks County Prothonotary's Office
Berks County Prothonotary's Office is not a passport issuance facility and you will NOT receive a passport on-site there. This facility is an acceptance agent, the Berks County Prothonotary's Office is sort of like a special notary for the Department of State / Passport Agency in which they can "Witness" your signature and officially "Seal" your application and documents. There is a separate $35 fee for this that is paid at the time of sealing.
Needs to visit an acceptance agent
New Passports Application (Child or Adult)
Lost / Damaged Passport Replacement
Doesn't need to visit an acceptance agent
Passport Renewal
Passport Name Change Application
Passport Processing Times at Berks County Prothonotary's Office
Standard Processing - Because of Covid-19, the current processing times are 10-12 weeks after submitting an application.
Expedited Processing - You can pay an extra $60 when sealing your documents at Berks County Prothonotary's Office to get your passport quicker, typically in 4-6 weeks.
Emergency Processing - (NOT AVAILABLE at Berks County Prothonotary's Office): If you have proof of travel within 3 days you can request an emergency appointment at one of the regional passport offices close to Reading. Also see our info about 3rd-party passport expediters.
Nearest Regional Passport Offices to Reading, PA
Philadelphia Passport Agency - 44.9 Miles
New York Passport Agency - 91.5 Miles
Washington Passport Agency - 101.4 Miles
Passport Services Offered at Berks County Prothonotary's Office
Passport Forms - If you need to pick up a physical pre-printed application that you can fill out by hand, the Berks County Prothonotary's Office will have pre-printed passport forms. You may also get passport forms from our website and print them on your own printer.
Passport Document Sealing / Passport Application Signature Witness - Berks County Prothonotary's Office is an official Acceptance Agent as appointed by the Department of State. Certain municipal and postal employees at this location are authorized to "Witness" your signature (kind of like a notary).
NOTE: not required for passport renewals
Acceptance Agent fee is $35 (see more about Acceptance Agent Fees)
4-6 week passport expediting / 10-12-week standard passport service - These are the standard processing times for passports at any acceptance agent.
Berks County Prothonotary's Office Service Area Radius
This passport office is located in - Berks County and serves the passport needs for residents of other nearby zipcodes including: 19601, 19603, 19612, 19604, 19611, 19602, 19610, 19609, 19605, 19606, 19560, 19607, 09607, 19533, 19608, 19535, 19510, 19565, 19540
Frequently asked questions
Berks County Prothonotary's Office does not issue passports, they are sent to a central processing facility, it will take at a minimum of 4 weeks if using expedited service and up to 12 weeks for standard processing.
The closest passport agency isn't too far from Reading, Philadelphia Passport Agency is only about 90 miles roundtrip from Reading. This will be your best option for getting a passport quickly.
Berks County Prothonotary's Office is an acceptance agent, Berks County Prothonotary's Office does not issue passports – they do however charge the standard $35 acceptance agent fee to seal your documents, this is only required for new or replacement passport applications; renewals do not need to be sealed and thus no acceptance agent fee is required. Please see our detailed information on passport fees.
If by walk-in service you mean get your passport there at Berks County Prothonotary's Office? Then no. They do not issue passports, you can get walk-in passport issuance at a regional passport facility only, not local acceptance agent facilities; passport are sent to a central processing location.
If you have your expired or soon-to-be expired passport, it is in good condition and the validity period on your expired passport was for 10-years, then you do not even need to visit an acceptance agent. You can do your application online, print-it and send it in with new passport photos, the old passport, and the required passport fees. See our guide about passport renewals to renew your passport yourself.
No, they are acceptance agents and have nothing to do with the application once they witness your signature and seal your application. Once an application is in-process, Berks County Prothonotary's Office will not be able to assist any further.
No, you will have to get your passport photo taken before you go to Berks County Prothonotary's Office for the sealing of your passport. Do not go there without getting passport photos first or you will not get your application sealed. Here's the list of locations to get passport photos in Reading.
At Berks County Prothonotary's Office, the passport acceptance fees can be paid for with a check, cash, money order or debit card. Passport Fees can only be paid with a check or money order.