Berea College

Exciting news! Thanks to generous donors, the Center for International Education is happy to announce new funding to assist Berea College students obtain their U.S. passports! See <a data-internal-link="true" href="https://www.berea.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Passport-Funding.pdf">here</a> for details.

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If you don’t have a current passport and are considering studying abroad, it’s important to apply for a passport as soon as possible. Do not wait. As of December 2023, the processing of passports is estimated to take 6 to 8 weeks from the time that the State Department receives an application. Expedited processing is estimated to take 2 to 3 weeks.

To view the most up-to-date official estimates yourself, visit this State Department <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html">webpage</a>.

If you are studying abroad for a full semester, you will likely also need a student visa to the country where you will study. To even apply for a visa, you must already have a passport. And the visa process itself can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months.

We’d hate for you to miss an opportunity (and potentially owe money for a program) because your passport does not arrive in time.

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For a passport to be “current” or “valid”, it must not expire for more than six months after your intended date of return to the United States.

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<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>My passport will expire on Feb 20, 2025.</li>
 	<li>My study abroad program is for Fall 2024. The program lasts from August 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024.</li>
 	<li>Feb 20, 2025 is NOT more than six months after December 1, 2024.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
So, I need a new passport before I can study abroad (or even apply for a student visa for Fall 2024).

Example 1

<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>My passport will expire on December 1, 2025.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
 
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>My study abroad program is for Summer 2024. The program lasts from June 1, 2024 to August 1, 2024.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
 
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>December 1, 2025 IS more than six months after August 1, 2024.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>


My passport is current/valid.

Example 2

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Please review our one-page&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.berea.edu/cie/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/07/US-Passport-Application-Instructions-updated-1-2022.pdf">U.S. Passport Quick Guide</a>&nbsp;for a helpful summary!

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If this is your first passport and/or you are renewing a passport that was issued before you were 16 years old,&nbsp;you must submit your application in-person&nbsp;at a passport processing facility.&nbsp;

In Berea, that is the U.S. Post Office on Glades Road.&nbsp;

The campus post office cannot process passport applications.

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<ul><li>Here’s the&nbsp;<a href="https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.pdf" data-mce-href="https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.pdf">DS-11 application</a>&nbsp;that should be used by:<ul><li>First-time passport applicants;</li><li>Applicants applying for a renewal&nbsp;IF&nbsp;their previous passport was issued when they were under 16, or was issued more than 15 years ago, or was lost or stolen.</li></ul></li><li>Other applicants who need a renewal can use the&nbsp;<a href="https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82.PDF" data-mce-href="https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82.PDF">DS-82</a>&nbsp;and apply for their renewal by mail.</li><li>Full information on the passport application process is on&nbsp;<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html" data-mce-href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html">the official U.S. Department of State website.</a></li></ul> Notes on the DS-11 form:<ul><li>The DS-11 can be completed online and then printed OR completed by hand in black ink only.</li><li>DO NOT SIGN YOUR FORM&nbsp;until the post office asks you to do so during your appointment.</li></ul>

The Form

Our office provides passport photo-taking services! Come by to have your photo taken and you’ll get 2 printed, regulation-sized photos for a total of $10. <ul><li>Passport photo hours are 8:30 – 11:30 am and 1:30 – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.</li><li>No appointment is necessary.</li><li>You can have us charge your student account or pay in cash (no cards accepted).</li><li>Per regulations, you cannot be wearing any kind of hat, headwrap, scarf, glasses, jacket or hoodie in the photo.<ul><li>It’s also important to wear a colored shirt (white blends into the background).</li></ul></li></ul>

The Photos

You will need:<ul><li>Proof of U.S. citizenship — a previous passport or a certified birth certificate (with raised seal)<ul><li>See more details <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html" data-mce-href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html">here</a> (scroll to “2. Provide Evidence of U.S. Citizenship”).</li></ul></li><li>A photocopy of proof of U.S. citizenship</li><li>Proof of identity<ul><li>If you are a Kentucky resident, you can bring one primary form of ID.</li><li>Out-of-state residents need two forms of ID, such as a driver’s license/state ID + your student ID.</li><li>See more details <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html" data-mce-href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html">here</a> (scroll to “4. Present ID”).</li></ul></li><li>A photocopy of proof(s) of identity</li></ul>

The Proofs of Identity and Citizenship

You will need 1 check or money order as the application fee can ONLY be paid by check or money order.
<ol>
 	<li>Application fee of $130 (regular) or $190 (expedited**see below**)</li>
</ol>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>Only check or money order accepted is accepted for this fee.</li>
 	<li>The check or money order must be made out to the U.S. Department of State.</li>
 	<li>The Berea Post Office can provide you with a money order using your debit or credit card.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
2. Processing fee of $35
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>This processing fee can be paid by check or money order made out to the U.S. Postal Service.</li>
 	<li>At the Berea Post Office, it can also be paid by credit or debit card.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
**Note that the additional $60 for expedited processing can not be covered by Financial Aid or the CIE's new passport funding.**

The Fees

Once your documents are complete and you have your checks or money orders in hand, you are ready for your appointment!You must <a href="https://tools.usps.com/rcas.htm?_gl=1*ksc2rw*_ga*ODUyMzA5MTE0LjE2NTYzMzYyNjg.*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTY1NjY5NjQwNi4yLjAuMTY1NjY5NjQwNi4w" data-mce-href="https://tools.usps.com/rcas.htm?_gl=1*ksc2rw*_ga*ODUyMzA5MTE0LjE2NTYzMzYyNjg.*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTY1NjY5NjQwNi4yLjAuMTY1NjY5NjQwNi4w">make an appointment online</a>.<ul><li>If you are in Berea, the best option is the Berea Post Office on Glades Road.</li><li>If you are located elsewhere, you can use the above appointment link to find the closest facility.</li></ul>Reminder:&nbsp; The campus post office cannot process passport applications.

Passport information