Uspo – Nome Passport Services

At Uspo – Nome, understanding the distinction between routine and expedited passport processing is essential for planning your travel, especially given Nome’s unique geographical challenges. Routine processing means your application, once accepted at our 113 W. Front Street facility, will be sent to the national processing centers for standard handling, which as of November 2024, averages around 7-9 weeks. This timeframe doesn’t include the mail transit time to and from Nome. Expedited processing, on the other hand, prioritizes your application for a faster turnaround, typically averaging 2-3 weeks at the national level. Choosing expedited service incurs an additional federal fee of $60, which must be paid separately from the application fee, usually by check or money order at our Nome location. It’s crucial to factor in that all mail from Nome travels by air, and weather delays, while infrequent for priority mail, can sometimes add a day or two to transit times to and from the processing centers. Always check the Department of State’s website for the most current processing estimates before your appointment.

Once your passport application has been successfully submitted and accepted at the Uspo – Nome facility on W. Front Street, you will receive a receipt containing specific information about your application. The primary method for tracking your application status is through the U.S. Department of State’s online Passport Application Status System. You’ll need the last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number of the primary applicant. It’s important to wait at least 7-10 business days after your application has been processed by our Nome staff and mailed out before attempting to track it, allowing time for it to reach the processing center and be entered into their system. While our local Nome staff can confirm submission, they do not have real-time tracking capabilities beyond that point. Your passport will eventually be mailed directly to you via USPS, often with a trackable service.

If you find yourself in Nome needing a passport urgently, beyond the standard expedited service, your options become more specialized due to our remote location. While the Uspo – Nome offers expedited processing (which shortens the federal processing time to 2-3 weeks for an extra $60 fee), this might not be sufficient for immediate travel. For true emergencies, typically defined as needing to travel within 2-3 weeks, you would generally need to contact the National Passport Information Center directly. They can guide you on making an appointment at a regional passport agency. The closest regional agencies are in Seattle or Honolulu, which would necessitate immediate and costly air travel from Nome to reach. These urgent appointments are reserved for life-or-death emergencies or immediate travel plans within a very short window. Our Nome staff can assist with ensuring your initial application is flawless, but cannot bypass the federal processing pipeline or arrange emergency travel to a regional agency.

When applying for a passport at the Uspo – Nome facility at 113 W. Front Street, it’s critical to understand the payment requirements, as they differ for the various fees involved. The application fee, which goes directly to the U.S. Department of State, **must** be paid by check or money order. Personal checks, certified checks, or money orders are all acceptable. Make these payable to ‘U.S. Department of State.’ For the acceptance (execution) fee of $35, which is paid to the Uspo – Nome facility for processing your application, we can accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, checks, or money orders. This dual payment system means you will likely have two separate transactions. We recommend having both a check/money order for the federal fee and another form of payment for the local acceptance fee ready at your appointment to ensure a smooth process.

Yes, appointments are absolutely required for all minor passport applications at the Uspo – Nome facility, and they come with specific requirements. For applicants under 16, both parents (or the legal guardian/guardians) must be present with the minor at the time of the appointment at 113 W. Front Street. They must provide proof of parental relationship (such as a birth certificate), valid government-issued identification, and the minor’s previous passport or birth certificate. For minors aged 16-17, only one parent or legal guardian needs to be present with their ID, along with the minor’s ID. This stringent rule is designed to protect minors from international parental child abduction and requires careful adherence. Our Nome staff will verify all identities and parental consent forms during the appointment.

The passport office is located at 113 W. FRONT STREET, NOME, AK 99762. Get directions

Hours are . Call ahead at 9074432401.0 to confirm before visiting.

Photos on-site: 1. If available, photos typically cost around $15 in cash.

Routine processing takes 12-13 weeks. Expedited service (additional $60 fee) takes 7-9 weeks. Our expedited service gets your passport in 3-10 days.

Most facilities accept check or money order. You’ll need two separate payments: one to “U.S. Department of State” ($130) and one to “USPO – NOME” ($35). Cash may not be accepted.

Handicap access: 1. The facility is ADA compliant with accessible entrances and facilities.

Parking directly around the Uspo – Nome facility at 113 W. Front Street is generally straightforward and accommodates the typical flow of visitors in Nome. The most convenient option is the on-street parking available directly along W. Front Street. These are unrestricted, free parking spaces, typically allowing for two-hour parking durations between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays, which is more than ample for a passport appointment. Expect to find an average of 8-12 open spaces within a one-block radius of the post office on most weekdays, especially if you arrive slightly before or after peak mailing times (11 AM to 1 PM). Additionally, parallel parking can often be found on side streets immediately adjacent to W. Front Street, such as on Bering Street to the west or Federal Way to the east, both within a very short walking distance—less than 0.1 miles, or about half a block. There isn’t a large, dedicated parking garage in Nome. For those requiring longer parking, or who prefer not to parallel park, a small, gravel lot with approximately 15 free spaces is available behind the Wells Fargo Bank at 109 Front Street, just 50 feet east of the post office, which can be accessed via an alleyway off Federal Way. During winter months, typically from October through April, parking conditions can be significantly affected by snow and ice. Streets are regularly plowed, but sidewalks may be slippery. It’s advisable to allow extra time and wear appropriate footwear during this period. In summer, especially during the Bering Sea Gold season, Front Street can see increased traffic, but parking remains manageable for short visits.

No, passport renewals cannot be done at acceptance facilities. Renewals must be mailed directly to the State Department using Form DS-82, or you can use our expedited renewal service.

If you’re traveling soon, our expedited service can get your passport in as little as 3 days. We handle everything from document review to delivery, with 24/7 support. Call 800-860-8610 to get started.