Hershey Post Office Passport Services

The Hershey Post Office accepts credit cards specifically for the USPS execution fee, which is currently $35 per application. You can use major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for this portion of your payment. However, it’s crucial to remember that the separate application fee, paid directly to the U.S. Department of State, must be submitted via check or money order. Personal checks, certified checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders are all acceptable for the State Department fee. This distinction means you’ll typically need two separate payments during your visit: one for the post office and another for the federal government. Ensure you have the correct payment methods prepared for both fees to avoid any delays in processing your application at our West Chocolate Avenue facility.

For urgent passport needs, the Hershey Post Office can facilitate expedited processing for an additional fee. When submitting your application here, you can choose to add the expedited service fee of $60 per application to your Department of State payment. Furthermore, you can opt for 1-2 day delivery for the return of your completed passport book for an extra $19.53, paid to the USPS. While we process your application swiftly, it’s important to understand that current expedited processing times, as of November 2024, average 2.5 weeks from the date of application submission to receipt. For even faster service, beyond what expedited processing can offer, you would need to contact a regional passport agency directly, such as the Philadelphia Passport Agency, which requires an appointment and proof of imminent travel, typically within 14 days.

Passport photos must meet very specific requirements to be accepted. The standard size for U.S. passport photos is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). Your head should be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25 and 35 mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. The photo needs to be in color, taken within the last six months, and against a plain white or off-white background. No glasses are permitted unless medically necessary with a signed doctor’s statement. Your expression should be neutral with both eyes open, facing the camera directly. For convenience, the Hershey Post Office on West Chocolate Avenue offers on-site passport photo services for a fee, ensuring your photos meet all these stringent federal guidelines without the hassle of finding an external vendor.

Yes, the Hershey Post Office absolutely offers on-site passport photo services. This is a significant convenience for applicants, as it ensures your photos meet the precise federal requirements without needing an extra stop or worrying about specific dimensions and lighting. Our trained staff at the West Chocolate Avenue location can take your 2×2 inch, color passport photos, with a neutral expression and a plain white background, right here in the facility. The fee for this service is typically $15.00 for two identical photos. Opting for our on-site photo service helps to streamline your entire application process, reducing the chances of your application being delayed due to non-compliant photographs, and provides peace of mind before submission.

When applying for a passport at the Hershey Post Office, you’ll generally encounter two separate fees, each with specific payment requirements. For the U.S. Department of State application fee, which covers the cost of your passport book or card, payment must be made by personal check, certified check, cashier’s check, or money order, payable to the ‘U.S. Department of State.’ Cash and credit cards are not accepted for this portion. The second fee is the $35 execution fee, paid to the USPS for processing your application. For this fee, the Hershey Post Office accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, cash, or checks/money orders payable to ‘Postmaster.’ It’s advisable to have both a checkbook for the Department of State fee and a credit card or cash for the USPS fee ready when you arrive for your appointment at 151 W Chocolate Ave.

The passport office is located at 151 W CHOCOLATE AVE STE 145, HERSHEY, PA 17033. Get directions

Hours are . Call ahead at 7172980488.0 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 “HERSHEY POST OFFICE” ($35). Cash may not be accepted.

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

Convenient parking options are available directly on West Chocolate Avenue and in nearby lots for visitors to the Hershey Post Office. Metered street parking lines West Chocolate Avenue in front of the post office, typically costing $1.50 per hour with a two-hour maximum, enforced Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM. These meters accept quarters and credit cards via the ParkMobile app, zone 17033. For longer visits, or if street parking is scarce during peak business hours (10 AM – 2 PM), a free 30-space public parking lot is located one block north on Caracas Avenue, accessible via Ridge Road. This lot is a short 0.2-mile walk to the post office. Another option is the Hershey Story Museum parking garage at 63 W Chocolate Ave, which offers paid parking at approximately $3 for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour, providing ample covered spaces just 0.1 miles (a 2-minute walk) east of the post office. During warmer months, especially July and August, when tourism is at its peak, both street parking and the museum garage can fill quickly, so arriving 15-20 minutes prior to your appointment is advisable. In winter, during snow events, street parking availability can be significantly reduced due to plowing efforts, making the museum garage or the Caracas Avenue lot the most reliable choices.

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.