The everything guide to US Passports & the application process

Stearns County Service Center: Passport Office in Waite Park MN

Last Reviewed on March 27th, 2024


Location:
Stearns County Service Center
Address:
3301 County Road 138
 
Waite Park, MN 56387
 
Hours of Operation Shown in (CST)
Monday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
8:00AM - 5:00PM


Handicap Accessible (ADA): Yes

Passport Photos: Yes, the Stearns County Service Center takes passport photographs onsite - Please review our guide to Passport Photos. If you want your passport photos taken before you go to the acceptance agent, here is a list of places to get passport photos in Waite Park.


Waite Park Passport Office: Stearns County Service Center Location Overview

Stearns County Service Center is an acceptance agent/passport office. For passport service in Waite Park, MN you can go here for passport help. Stearns County Service Center is a County / State 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 are NO other passport acceptance agent offices located in Waite Park. Stearns County Service Center is located in County, Minnesota.

About Stearns County Service Center

Stearns County Service Center is not a passport issuance facility and you will NOT receive a passport on-site there. This facility is an acceptance agent, the Stearns County Service Center 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 Stearns County Service Center

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 Stearns County Service Center to get your passport quicker, typically in 4-6 weeks.

Emergency Processing - (NOT AVAILABLE at Stearns County Service Center): If you have proof of travel within 3 days you can request an emergency appointment at one of the regional passport offices close to Waite Park. Also see our info about 3rd-party passport expediters.

Nearest Regional Passport Offices to Waite Park, MN

Chicago Passport Agency - 361.2 Miles
Detroit Passport Agency - 519.9 Miles
Colorado Passport Agency - 586 Miles

Passport Services Offered at Stearns County Service Center

Passport Forms - If you need to pick up a physical pre-printed application that you can fill out by hand, the Stearns County Service Center 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 - Stearns County Service Center 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.

Passport Photos - They can take and print your passport photos on site, typically $10-15.

Stearns County Service Center Service Area Radius

This passport office is located in - Stearns County and serves the passport needs for residents of other nearby zipcodes including: 56387, 56388, 56395, 56393, 56396, 56303, 56302, 56397, 56398, 56399, 56301, 56372, 56369, 56321, 56377, 56374, 56320, 56304, 56375

Frequently asked questions

How fast can I get a passport at Stearns County Service Center?

Stearns County Service Center 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.

I need a passport sooner than that, what are my options?

It's about 730 miles roundtrip, so it is pretty far from Waite Park to Chicago Passport Agency, the closest passport issuing agency. You might want to consider using a passport expediting service to save you the time of going there yourself.

Does Stearns County Service Center charge for passports?

Stearns County Service Center is an acceptance agent, Stearns County Service Center 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.

Can I get walk-in passport service at Stearns County Service Center?

If by walk-in service you mean get your passport there at Stearns County Service Center? 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.

Does Stearns County Service Center do passport renewals?

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.

Can Stearns County Service Center tell me about the status of my application?

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, Stearns County Service Center will not be able to assist any further.

Does Stearns County Service Center take passport photos?

Yes, you can get your passport photos taken there. Please see: List of locations in Waite Park to get passport photos.

What forms of payment does Stearns County Service Center accept?

You can pay for the acceptance agent fees and passport photos (if you have them taken at Stearns County Service Center) with cash, check, debit card, or money order. Your passport application fees will be paid separately by check or money order only.

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