A U.S. passport is exactly what South Dakota residents need to scratch their travel bug and visit other countries around the world. With a passport, a citizen can request a foreign government to travel or temporarily reside within their nation.

Furthermore, every individual citizen needs a passport before they are authorized to travel out of the United States, including children and infants. Passports usually expire after 10 years, so they must be renewed to remain valid for international travel.

Passports are issued by the United States Department of State. While abroad, travelers have access to assistance from the various U.S. embassy and consular services that are available.

Once they are ready to return, citizens will require their U.S. passport to re-enter the country. Read more to discover all about passports in South Dakota.

Where to Get a Passport in South Dakota

If you are looking to get a new U.S. passport in South Dakota, then your first step is to find your nearest passport acceptance facility. South Dakota offers around 50 acceptance facilities throughout the state.

Typically, these facilities are located at government buildings such as libraries, post offices and courthouses. Check nearby cities if you cannot find a passport office in your hometown.

It is important to be aware of the limited business hours of most of these establishments. Furthermore, some acceptance facilities only accept requests through scheduled appointments.

In order to prevent any delays, you should call your nearest passport office to accept walk-ins. Be aware that offices that accept walk-ins usually have extended wait times.

Note: If you already have a valid passport and need a passport renewal or replacement, you must submit your application by mail.

South Dakota Passport Books vs Cards

Since their implementation in 2008, South Dakotans can carry their travel documents as either a traditional passport book or the newer passport card. These travel documents provide personal information that can be used to identify a U.S. citizen anywhere in the world.

They contain details such as a citizen’s name, birthday, South Dakota residence and their photograph. Both the passport books and passport cards are Real ID compliant and can be used for domestic travel.

What is a passport book?

If you’ve ever been to an airport, you’ve probably spotted a navy blue booklet emblazoned with a United States seal on the front cover, commonly referred to as a U.S. passport book. Passport books are required for all air travel to and from the United States.

Unlike passport cards, they contain additional pages for visa stamps. These are empty pages where foreign nations stamp their travel authorizations in your passport.

What is a passport card?

A passport card is a pocket-sized plastic travel document issued by the United States. They are limited to being used for land or sea travel to nearby nations such as Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Citizens who frequently visit these countries may prefer the passport card cost to the more expensive passport book.

How to Get a New Passport in South Dakota

The passport application process is standard throughout the entire United States. Naturally, this applies to South Dakota as well. U.S. citizenship, by birth or naturalization, is the only requirement to getting a new passport. Applications for new passports must be submitted in person if a citizen:

• Is applying for their first passport.
• Is replacing a damaged, misplaced or stolen passport.
• Is younger than 16 years old.
• Was issued their most current passport before they turned 16 years old.
• Was issued their most current passport over 15 years ago.

Required Application Materials

Before you visit your local passport office, ensure that you have gathered all of the required documents. These documents include:

• A complete passport application
• Proof of your citizenship or naturalization.
• An acceptable photo ID, like a driver’s license.
• A passport-sized color photograph.
• Payment for the required S. passport fees.

Children’s Passport Requirements

The United States Department of State requires that all U.S. passport applications for minors are completed in person. Furthermore, there are additional requirements implemented to protect children from potential harm.

For one, anyone designated to complete an application for a child must prove their relationship. Also, both parents are required to be present during the application. If one parent cannot make it for any reason, they must sign a consent form and have it submitted with the passport application.

U.S. Passport Renewals in South Dakota

Anyone looking to renew a U.S. passport can conveniently complete the process by mail. To complete the passport renewal process, South Carolina residents must send their application to the National Passport Processing Center. The following documents must be enclosed in an envelope and submitted by mail:

• The applicant’s most current passport.
  • It must be undamaged and legible.
  • It must have been issued in the last 15 years.
  • It must have been issued when the applicant was older than 16.
• A completed renewal form.
• A color passport photograph.
• Payment for the passport renewal

How to Replace a Lost Passport in South Dakota

There are countless reasons why you might need a passport replacement. Accidents happen and your passport can get lost or damaged. To replace a passport, you must simply apply for a new passport in person.

Unlike a damaged passport, lost or stolen passports presents a more direct threat of identity theft and require further action. Due to the personal details and information, you should file a report as soon as you lose your passport. There are three methods for reporting a lost or stolen passport including:

• Submitting a completed lost passport form by mail.
• Calling the National Passport Information Center to report the loss directly.
• Filing a report online using the Department of State’s passport website.

How to Complete a Passport Update in South Dakota

After getting married or divorced in South Carolina, you may need to perform a complete a passport name change before you are eligible to travel. Depending on when you request a passport update, the application methods may differ. If you are requesting your update:

• On a passport issued less than a year ago:
  • You will not have to pay any fees for the update.
• On a passport issued more than a year ago:
  • You must apply in person and bring your certified name change documents.
• But have no certified name change documents on record:
  • You must apply with two people who knew you by both names.
  • They must sign an affidavit to vouch for you.
  • You must also submit three certified records that show you using your new name for the last five years.

Note: Any passport updates for data or printing errors will be processed free-of-charge if your passport is still valid.

South Dakota Expedited Passport Service

If the typical four to six week processing period is too long for you to wait, you can apply for an expedited passport. Depending on the urgency of your situation, you can receive your passport in as little as one to two days. All expedited services require an additional processing fee. You can request an expedited passport for:

• Standard passport applications
  • Opt for expedited services and receive your passport in less than four weeks.
• Urgent travel plans
  • Requires proof of your travel plans.
  • You must visit your nearest passport agency.
  • Receive your passport in around two weeks.
• Life-or-death emergencies
  • If you need to travel within the next 72 hours.
  • Requires proof of the emergency.
  • Receive your passport within one or two days.

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