Pismo Beach Post Office Passport Services

The Pismo Beach Post Office at 100 Crest Drive does not offer on-site passport photo services as a standard offering. This is a common practice for many smaller USPS passport acceptance facilities. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you arrive at your scheduled passport appointment with two recent, color passport-compliant photographs already in hand. You can typically obtain these photos at local pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy or Model Drug, both conveniently located just 0.1 miles away on North Oak Park Boulevard. Walgreens or dedicated photo studios in nearby San Luis Obispo are also reliable options. Ensure your photos meet the strict U.S. Department of State requirements regarding size (2×2 inches), background (plain white or off-white), and head position, as incorrect photos will lead to delays in your application processing.

When applying for a passport at the Pismo Beach Post Office, it’s crucial to understand the payment structure. The application fee to the U.S. Department of State *must* be paid by check or money order. They do not accept credit cards, debit cards, or cash for this portion. However, the separate execution fee for the Post Office, currently $35, *can* be paid by credit card, debit card, check, or money order. It is highly recommended to bring a personal check or a money order for the State Department fees to avoid any last-minute complications. You could obtain a money order at the Post Office itself, or from the nearby Mechanics Bank on North Oak Park Boulevard, but securing it beforehand will streamline your appointment considerably.

Whether you can renew your passport at the Pismo Beach Post Office depends entirely on how you qualify for renewal. If your most recent passport was issued less than 15 years ago, you were at least 16 years old when it was issued, and it is undamaged, you can typically renew by mail using Form DS-82. In this common scenario, you do not need an appointment at any acceptance facility, including Pismo Beach Post Office. You simply mail your application, old passport, photos, and payment directly to the National Passport Processing Center. However, if your passport was issued more than 15 years ago, was issued when you were under 16, or is significantly damaged, you must apply in person using Form DS-11, just like a first-time applicant. In such cases, yes, you would need to schedule an appointment at the Pismo Beach Post Office to submit your renewal application.

If you require your passport urgently, the Pismo Beach Post Office can facilitate expedited processing, but it’s important to set realistic expectations. During your appointment at 100 Crest Drive, you can elect to pay an additional $60 for expedited service, which significantly reduces the processing time from several weeks to just a few. You can also pay extra for 1-2 day delivery for the return of your completed passport. However, for true emergencies requiring a passport within a week or two, such as immediate international travel due to a life-or-death situation, you would need to contact the National Passport Information Center directly and potentially schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency, the closest of which is in Los Angeles. While the Pismo Beach Post Office can process an expedited application, they cannot guarantee a specific, very short turnaround time that only a passport agency can offer.

For a child under 16 to obtain a passport, specific and stringent requirements must be met, and the Pismo Beach Post Office is fully equipped to handle these applications. Both parents or legal guardians must appear in person with the child at the 100 Crest Drive facility. If only one parent can appear, they must present the second parent’s notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) along with a copy of the front and back of that parent’s ID. You’ll need proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship (like an original birth certificate), proof of parental relationship (often the birth certificate), and valid government-issued identification for both parents. Two passport photos of the child are also required. These measures are in place to prevent child abduction and ensure legal consent, so prepare meticulously to avoid any delays.

The passport office is located at 100 CREST DRIVE, PISMO BEACH, CA 93449. Get directions

Hours are 10:00-15:00. Call ahead at 8054811365.0 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 “PISMO BEACH POST OFFICE” ($35). Cash may not be accepted.

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

Parking at the Pismo Beach Post Office is generally straightforward, though it requires specific knowledge, especially during peak tourist season. The facility at 100 Crest Drive features a dedicated, free 18-space parking lot immediately adjacent to the building on its west side. This lot is accessible directly from Crest Drive. For most passport appointments, which are scheduled, you should find a space here with relative ease. If this lot happens to be full, particularly during the late morning or early afternoon mail rush, ample free street parking is available on Crest Drive itself, typically on both sides of the street within one block of the Post Office. There are no meters or time limits on Crest Drive in this immediate vicinity. Additionally, North Oak Park Boulevard, a major thoroughfare just a 0.1-mile walk east, offers further street parking options, though these can be busier. It’s advisable to allow an extra 5-7 minutes for parking during the summer months (June through August) when Pismo Beach experiences a significant influx of visitors. While the post office lot is rarely completely full for passport appointments, which are staggered, knowing the street parking options on Crest Drive and North Oak Park Boulevard provides a reliable backup. During winter months, parking is even less congested, and weather considerations are minimal, though occasional heavy rains might make a closer spot more desirable.

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.