If you’re planning on travelling this year, but the idea of obtaining a passport book or card feels overwhelming to you – look no further! Today on the blog, we are breaking down the ins and outs of how to obtain (or renew!) your U.S. passport in 2025, and how the O’Fallon Public Library is here to make the process easier for you.

So, what’s the difference between a book and card?

There are two types of travel documents that we can assist you in obtaining. The first, and likely the more familiar of the two, is the passport book. The passport book is required for international travel by air, and is also valid for land and sea travel. A U.S. passport book also satisfies one’s requirement for a REAL ID for domestic travel. If you’re planning on flying overseas, a passport book is the way to go.

The passport card is designed for U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean countries. The passport card is not valid for international travel by air. It is a cost-effective option for regional travelers, or as a back-up form of identification, as it also satisfies the REAL ID requirement.

When filling out your application for – DS-11 for first-time applicants, DS-82 for renewals; more on these in a bit – you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time on the same application. The first check box at the top of the application will indicate whether you’d like to apply for a book, card, or both.

Alright, I know which passport option I want. Now, how do I apply?

To ensure your passport application appointment goes smoothly, please ensure you have all of the following items ready to go. Whether you have your passport application appointment with an acceptance agent at the O’Fallon Public Library or anywhere else, the requirements will be the same. In each of the numbered sections, you are typically only required to have one of each of these items.

1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship + photocopy
   • Original or certified copy of your birth certificate
     • If you were born in the United States, but don’t have a birth certificate, contact the county, city, or state where you were born to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate. An original or certified copy has a seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.
     • Applications also require photocopies of your valid vital records; we can make these in-house at no cost.
   • Certificate of naturalization
   • Previous U.S. passport (if applicable)
2. Proof of Identity + photocopy
   • Valid driver’s license – temporary driver’s licenses are not considered sufficient on their own and will require a secondary ID supplementation; see secondary ID guidelines for more information on this scenario.
   • Valid government or State-issued ID card
   • Valid military ID (common access card or veteran ID)
3. Passport Photo
   • The O’Fallon Public Library does not provide photo services. We typically recommend Walgreens or CVS. Additional locations that may be able to provide passport photo services are The UPS Store, USPS, or your local AAA. However, we recommend contacting the latter locations before hand to make sure they are available to accommodate your needs.
   • Alternatively, you are able to take your own passport photos. However, the Department of State has very specific requirements for passport application photos, so be sure to visit the link to verify that your photos make the cut!
4. Application Form
   • If you are an adult applying for the first time, a 16 or 17-year-old applying for your first adult passport, or an adult applying for a minor ages 15 and under, you will complete the form DS-11. This can be completed online through the U.S. State Department’s DS-11 Form Filler or written by hand. We also have ample copies available at OFPL, so come on by if you need any paperwork!
   • If you are an adult looking to renew their passport that is still within 15 years of the date of issue, you are eligible for renewal with the form DS-82. DS-82 renewals are able to be mailed in without need for an appointment with an acceptance agent. We do, however, have DS-82 forms available for pickup at OFPL, should you need.
     • The U.S. State Department has recently rolled out online renewal for eligible U.S. citizens and nationals who are looking to renew their passport through routine service. The qualifications are still fairly exclusive, so if you find you do not qualify to renew online, you are still able to renew by mail.
5. Forms of Payment
   • Two separate forms of payment are required at the time of your appointment.
     • One fee is your application fee, which will be made payable to the U.S. Department of State. This must be a personal check or money order. If you are applying in a group with multiple applicants (for example, two parents [$130.00/each] and one child, [$100.00] all applying for the first time), the application fee can be grouped into a single check of $360.00.
       • Passport fees vary depending on your age, what document(s) you would like, how fast you need your passport, and where you apply. For an up-to-date passport fee listing, please visit The U.S. State Department’s website.
     • The second fee is the execution fee, which will always be $35.00 per application. The execution fee can be paid in any form – card, cash, check, coin – and can also be grouped together in a single payment. So, the aforementioned example family of three could do a single card transaction for $105.00 (or 10,500 pennies, if that’s your prerogative).

How does OFPL help me through this process?

At OFPL, we are proud to serve the greater O’Fallon community as a passport acceptance facility. Here’s how we streamline the process for you:

• Guidance: Our U.S. State Department-trained staff can answer any questions you have as you prepare for your passport appointment. Each passport application scenario is unique, and extenuating circumstances happen more often than you might think. There is no shame in asking us for help as you navigate your process.
• Convenient hours: While we are an appointment-only acceptance facility, we have ample evening and weekend availability to accommodate your busy schedule. Check our online appointment bookings or give us a call to get something on the books (library pun intended).

If you are a first time applicant, you must meet with an acceptance agent to go over your documents. If you are renewing with the DS-82 but would feel more comfortable sitting with an acceptance agent to go over your application (rather than directly mail it in), we also are here to assist! Though we book you for an hour slot, rarely do we need to use the full hour!

Okay, I sent my application in. How long until I get my passport?

Processing times vary dependent on a few factors. Roughly quarterly, the U.S. State Department releases new processing times. These can be viewed directly from their website, or give us a call and we can update you. It is important to note that mailing times are not included in processing times. While processing times may be listed at, say, 4-6 weeks, the U.S. State Department advises it may take up to two weeks for your application to arrive at their facility, and up to two weeks once mailed back to you.

If you choose to expedite your passport in any capacity, that will also impact your timeline. The processing time link above lists the expedited timeline options. Expediting your processing time is an additional $60.00 per application; expediting your mailing time to 1-2 day shipping is (as of the time of this writing) $21.36 per application. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute stress.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you can track its status online at https://passportstatus.state.gov/. For each application, you will provide the last name, date of birth, and last four digits of the individual’s SSN.

Once you have received your new passport items, your substantiating documents will be returned to you separate from your new item. Depending on the contact methods you consented to when applying – either email, phone, or both – you will be contacted about the transit of your vital records. They usually arrive within a few days of your passport items.

Getting your passport doesn’t have to be overwhelming. To quote author Timothy Snyder, having a passport “is liberating, as it creates the possibility of new experiences” – a thrill that everyone should have the opportunity to feel at some point in their lives. With a bit of preparation and the full support of the O’Fallon Public Library, you’ll be on your way to new adventures in no time. Stop by today to get started!