UMD has officially opened it’s designated U.S. passport facility. The office is located in the International Programs and Services Office at UMD. In this office they can take passport and visa photos, as well as gather all papers necessary for passport application and conduct the official oath.

The new passport facility at UMD, located within the International Programs and Services Office. Photo by Heidi Stang

According to Chris Haidos, Director of International Partnerships and Outreach, the idea behind the passport office at UMD is for students hoping to study abroad, but also to have a convenient location for those in the community. Cathy Caine, Program and Project Specialist at the International Programs and Services office, added that the main goal is to make this big step in the process easier for students.

“I think that the goal was to help students and make that step easier for them. Just to be able to travel abroad and become global citizens,” Caine said. “That's part of the strategic plan at UMD so it seemed like a natural fit for us to start that process and get approved as a passport agency.”

The office has seven trained passport acceptance agents who are formally trained in the specific photo requirements and other parts of the application process. The facility also mails all the paperwork in on behalf of the costumer.

The cost of a passport is $110 to the US government and $35 execution fee payable to UMD. It must be paid for in cash or check. The photo is only $10 for students or $15 for community members. They also have a copy machine in the office if you’d like copies of your official documents while they are sent in.

Turn around time for a passport is about eight weeks but Haidos stressed that that time is about equal anywhere you go.

The U.S Passport Acceptance Facility at UMD is open by appointment only to students, staff and the general public. For more details, check out their website.

UMD opens official U.S Passport Acceptance Facility