Carol Stream Post Office Passport Services

Absolutely, ample free parking is a significant advantage when visiting the Carol Stream Post Office at 550 E Fullerton Avenue. You’ll find a dedicated surface lot directly in front of the building, offering between 45 to 50 spaces, including several designated accessible spots. This ensures a short, convenient walk from your vehicle to the main entrance, significantly easing the typical stress associated with finding parking for government services. We always recommend arriving about 10-15 minutes ahead of your scheduled passport appointment, especially during busier midday periods like Tuesday mornings or Thursday afternoons, to secure the most favorable spot. While the lot is well-maintained year-round, be mindful of weather conditions like snow or heavy rain, which might make the walk slightly more challenging. The overall ease of parking here greatly reduces pre-appointment stress for Carol Stream residents.

Yes, securing an appointment is highly recommended, and often required, for passport application services at the Carol Stream Post Office. While some post offices might accommodate walk-ins on rare occasions if their schedule permits, the passport acceptance agents here prioritize scheduled visits to ensure efficient processing and minimal wait times for everyone. This facility at 550 E Fullerton Avenue operates with a structured appointment system to manage demand effectively. Scheduling your appointment in advance online through the USPS website or by calling the post office directly provides a confirmed time slot, helping you plan your visit effectively and avoid any unnecessary delays or a wasted trip. This structured approach helps the facility manage demand, particularly for first-time applicants and those applying for minors, who typically require more detailed processing and dedicated time slots.

While the Carol Stream Post Office at 550 E Fullerton Avenue primarily operates by appointment for passport services, attempting a walk-in is generally discouraged. The facility dedicates specific staff and time slots to scheduled appointments, and arriving without one means you risk being turned away, especially during peak hours, such as Tuesday mornings or Friday afternoons, when the schedule is often fully booked. Passport acceptance agents have limited availability and prioritize those who have made prior arrangements. If you arrive without an appointment, you may be politely asked to schedule one for a later date or directed to another, less busy facility if their schedule simply cannot accommodate an immediate service. To ensure your visit is productive and your application is processed, it is always best practice to confirm availability and ideally book an appointment through the USPS online scheduler before heading over to the Carol Stream location.

If you find yourself in an urgent situation needing a passport quickly, the Carol Stream Post Office at 550 E Fullerton Avenue can certainly process your expedited application. When submitting your DS-11 form, you’ll need to clearly indicate that you require expedited service and include the additional $60 fee (as of current rates) per application. This will significantly shorten the processing time compared to routine applications. However, it’s important to understand that even with expedited service, the application still takes several weeks to be processed by the Department of State. For truly critical, life-or-death emergencies or verified international travel within two weeks, you would need to contact the National Passport Information Center directly at 1-877-487-2778 or visit a regional passport agency, such as the one in Chicago, by appointment only. The Carol Stream facility handles the initial application acceptance, but immediate same-day or next-day issuance is beyond their scope.

When applying for a passport at the Carol Stream Post Office, you’ll need to be aware of the specific payment requirements for the two separate fees involved. The application fee, which is payable to the U.S. Department of State, *must* be submitted via check or money order. This includes personal checks, certified checks, cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks, or postal money orders. For the separate $35 execution fee (and any additional fees like passport photos, typically around $15, if you opt for them at the facility), payable to the USPS, you have more flexibility. For this portion, you can use a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), a debit card, a check, a money order, or cash. Ensuring you have the correct payment methods prepared for both fees will prevent any delays or complications during your passport application appointment at 550 E Fullerton Avenue.

The passport office is located at 550 E FULLERTON AVENUE, CAROL STREAM, IL 60188. Get directions

Hours are . Call ahead at 6302605665.0 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 “CAROL STREAM POST OFFICE” ($35). Cash may not be accepted.

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

Parking at the Carol Stream Post Office offers considerable convenience, a distinct advantage over many urban passport facilities. A dedicated, free surface parking lot is directly accessible from East Fullerton Avenue, positioned immediately in front of the building. This lot is quite spacious, typically providing between 45 and 50 marked spaces, including several clearly designated accessible parking spots, ensuring a very short walk to the main entrance. For passport appointments, arriving 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled time is a sensible strategy to secure one of the more desirable spaces closest to the building entrance. While parking is generally plentiful, the lot can experience higher traffic during specific periods, particularly weekday mid-mornings, between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM, when general postal services are busiest. In the rare instance that the main lot is completely full, unofficial overflow parking might be found across Fullerton Avenue in the Crossroads Shopping Center lot, though this involves navigating a busy street crossing and is not affiliated with the Post Office. During the colder months, specifically from December through March, patrons should exercise caution due to potential snow and ice accumulation; while the lot is regularly plowed, shaded areas may remain slick. Summer visits, especially in July and August, might prompt a preference for parking closer to the building to minimize exposure to direct sunlight and higher temperatures.

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.