Passport information


Exciting news! Thanks to generous donors, the Center for International Education is happy to announce new funding to assist Berea College students obtain their U.S. passports! See here for details.

If you don’t have a current passport and are considering studying abroad, it’s important to apply for a passport as soon as possible. Do not wait.

As of March 2025, the processing of passports is estimated to take 4 to 6 weeks from the time that the State Department receives an application.

To view the most up-to-date official estimates yourself, visit this State Department webpage.

If you are studying abroad for a full semester, you will likely also need a student visa to the country where you will study. To even apply for a visa, you must already have a passport. And the visa process itself can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months.

DO NOT WAIT!

We’d hate for you to miss an opportunity (and potentially owe money for a program) because your passport does not arrive in time.

What is a "current" passport?

For a passport to be “current” or “valid”, it must not expire for more than six months after your intended date of return to the United States.

    • My passport will expire on Feb 20, 2026.
    • My study abroad program is for Fall 2025. The program lasts from August 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025.
    • Feb 20, 2026 is NOT more than six months after December 1, 2024.

So, I need a new passport before I can study abroad (or even apply for a student visa for Fall 2025).

    • My passport will expire on December 1, 2026.

    • My study abroad program is for Summer 2025. The program lasts from June 1, 2025 to August 1, 2025.

    • December 1, 2026 IS more than six months after August 1, 2025.

My passport is current/valid.

How do I apply for a passport?

Please review our one-page U.S. Passport Quick Guide for a helpful summary!

In sum, you will need:

If this is your first passport and/or you are renewing a passport that was issued before you were 16 years old, you must submit your application in-person at a passport processing facility. 

In Berea, that is the U.S. Post Office on Glades Road. 

The campus post office cannot process passport applications.

  • Here’s the DS-11 application that should be used by:
    • First-time passport applicants;
    • Applicants applying for a renewal IF their previous passport was issued when they were under 16, or was issued more than 15 years ago, or was lost or stolen.
  • Other applicants who need a renewal can use the DS-82 and apply for their renewal by mail.
  • Full information on the passport application process is on the official U.S. Department of State website.

Notes on the DS-11 form:

  • The DS-11 can be completed online and then printed OR completed by hand in black ink only.
  • DO NOT SIGN YOUR FORM until the post office asks you to do so during your appointment.