New TXST passport services opens doors for students and San Marcos community

By Joel Mendez

News Reporter

SAN MARCOS — Texas State University has opened its new Passport Services Office, offering students, staff and the San Marcos community a convenient way to apply for passports.

Located inside the Thornton International House, the Texas State Passport Services Office is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It serves as a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility, meaning TXST’s acceptance agents are authorized only to receive and process passport applications. Final approval, however, comes from the U.S. Department of State.

The goal of the Passport Services Office is to simplify the application process for individuals applying for new, lost or stolen passports, as well as minors requiring a passport for the first time. These services use the DS-11 application form. Passport renewals, however, must be submitted directly by mail through the DS-82 form.

“The reason why we wanted to open a passport office on campus was to really make it accessible,” said Manon Bowen, director of Education Abroad and Passport Services. “We have many programs going abroad during the summer, so facilitating that for students and faculty was a priority. And in general, for the community, there aren’t many places where you can go and apply for a passport.”

To ensure a smooth process, the office requires scheduled appointments, which can be made through the Passport Services Office website. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time, but they may be included in the future.

Each appointment typically takes about 30 minutes per applicant. The processing fee is $35, and if the applicant meets the U.S. Department of State’s requirements, they can bring their own passport photos or pay $15 to have them taken on-site.

Students planning to study abroad are a key audience for the new office. With international travel programs becoming increasingly popular, Texas State aims to provide resources that streamline preparations for overseas experiences.

Since opening, the Texas State University Passport Services Office has been fully booked, with the next available appointments starting April 15. While the office aims to streamline the process, there has been one recurring challenge: payment methods.

“The main thing has been the money order,” Bowen said. “Not many students have checkbooks nowadays, and sometimes there’s a little bit of confusion when customers don’t have their money order ready.”

Payment for the passport application must be made by check or money order, as required by the U.S. Department of State. This has proven difficult for many students, particularly in an era when paper checks are becoming less popular.

Due to the requirement that candidates obtain a money order prior to their appointment, this has occasionally caused delays.

In addition to this, the office also charges a processing fee, which can be paid by card. Bowen emphasized that understanding this distinction is important to avoid any confusion when paying for services.

For many first-time travelers, this part of the application process can feel daunting. However, Bowen reassured students that with proper preparation, the process can run smoothly.

For additional information on required documents, fees, and appointment scheduling, visit the TXST Passport Services Office webpage.