If you’re considering getting a passport in Collin County, you’re almost out of luck. I am here to hold your hand and walk you through everything you need to know before you go!
We booked a cruise, thinking that getting a passport would be the easiest part of the whole trip. Little did I know, the passport office I had grown up going to had closed due to passport fraud investigation, as had the surrounding offices and even the Collin County Courthouse. If you call, you will hear the following, “…not accepting new applications!” So what’s a parent to do!? Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.
PASSPORT APPLICATION
Before you even set out with the kids in tow, stop by the nearest post office and grab a stack of forms (DS-11). Do yourself a favor and grab a few extra in case you’re like me and put the first name in the last name bar. (I went by twice.)
PASSPORT PHOTO
Get their photos taken at the nearest Walgreens before you go.
Practice taking pictures without smiling and make sure they keep those beautiful eyes wide open! Imagine telling a kid to get ready for a picture, then saying, “Now one, two, three, don’t smile!” Mine smiled every time. It took about 10 minutes to get their photos done and yes, they both look like they’re wanted for a crime. I later found out it’s not completely necessary to not smile; however, if the smile is too big, the application could be denied.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Long-form birth certificates. You know those cutesy short ones they mail you? The ones that look more like awards than certificates? Don’t bring that one. Bring the original.
DAD
Your husband.
The first time I took my kids I totally forgot to bring Dad! I wasn’t even thinking about both parents needing to be present but in order for a child to file a passport application, but both mom and dad must be present. Parents must bring ID and proof that the child is, in fact, yours (birth certificate).
If Dad is completely unable to tag along, you can get around this by including a notarized form DS-3053 in your application along with back and front photocopies of his ID.
SUSTENANCE
iPads and snacks.
If you brave the lines at the Collin County post office, you rock. I stopped by one random Thursday and the line was about 100 people deep. Call around before you arrive, as times on the websites may not be reflective of actual passport hours within the post office. Plus, some even let you make an appointment.
LONG DRIVE AND/OR APPOINTMENT
If you’re like me and would rather drive to Sherman listening to your favorite podcast than wait in a line for two hours, pick a spot you’ve never been, call prior, and make your journey to a faraway post office. Lines will be significantly shorter and it’ll be a mini adventure. Godspeed, mommas!
Have a passport experience to share? Mine are below!
Allen, TX Post Office: No appointments, long lines
Sherman, TX Post Office: By appointment only and don’t take applications on Fridays
Greyson’s County Clerk’s Office (200 Crockett St., Sherman, TX): About 35 minutes away. Walk in with short wait. Zero wait time before noon.
Frisco Library! Evening and weekend hours. Appointments and walk-ins taken. Best part is the $35 fee stays at the library to provide services! https://friscolibrary.libcal.com/booking/passport
I had to get one for my one year old. We went to the Little Elm Post Office right when they opened at 8:30. We were second in line. In and out in 30 minutes. It was almost 30 minutes getting to the Post Office from McKinney, but the small wait time was well worth it!!