COLUMBUS, Ga. - Getting your first passport in Columbus involves seven steps, and residents can apply at the Muscogee County Probate Court or the Columbus main post office. A first-time adult passport book costs $165, including the $130 federal application fee and a $35 acceptance fee. Applicants also need proof of citizenship, photo identification and a passport photo before submitting their paperwork.

The process differs for first-time applicants, children and adults renewing existing passports. The Probate Court accepts walk-ins during designated weekday hours, while the main post office offers appointments and walk-in service. A planned Probate Court move in November also makes it important to check the location before visiting.

Step 1: Choose where to apply in Columbus

Columbus has two local passport application locations: Muscogee County Probate Court and the main post office on Milgen Road. The Probate Court handles applications on a walk-in basis only, while the post office lists both appointments and walk-in passport services. Applicants can choose a location based on its available services and application procedures.

Where to apply in Columbus

• Muscogee County Probate Court: 100 10th St., 6th Floor, Columbus, GA 31901. Walk-ins only, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Columbus Main Post Office: 3916 Milgen Road, Columbus, GA 31907. Passport appointments, walk-in service and passport photos.
• Nearby Alabama option: Smiths Station Post Office, 2720 Panther Parkway, Smiths Station, Ala. Appointments, walk-ins and passport photos.

The USPS location finder identifies the Milgen Road office as the only Columbus post office listing passport services. The downtown, Wynnton, Beallwood, Lindsey Creek and Baker Village locations do not list those services. Residents planning to use a post office should check available appointments and walk-in arrangements before going.

Important November change: Muscogee County Probate Court will close at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, for its move to the second floor of the John D. Allen Judicial Center. The court plans to resume normal hours Monday, Nov. 9. Its mailing address, P.O. Box 1340, Columbus, GA 31902, and phone numbers will remain unchanged.

Step 2: Complete the passport application

First-time applicants need Form DS-11, which the Probate Court provides in its office. Applicants must complete the form using black ink only, according to the court's instructions. USPS tells applicants to bring their application forms unsigned.

Residents applying through the Postal Service can schedule appointments at tools.usps.com/rcas.htm or through post office self-service kiosks. Some postal locations offer limited walk-in hours, so appointment availability and walk-in arrangements may differ. When scheduling an application for a child, USPS instructs parents to select "New Passport Only."

Step 3: Gather citizenship and identification documents

Applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship and acceptable photo identification. The Probate Court lists a certified birth certificate bearing an official seal, a naturalization certificate or a previously issued passport as citizenship documents. A plain photocopy of a birth certificate does not meet the court's certified-certificate requirement.

For photo identification, the court accepts a driver's license or a state or government-issued identification card. USPS also instructs applicants to bring photocopies of the front and back of their citizenship and identity documents. Gathering the originals and required copies before visiting can help applicants arrive with the documentation listed by the acceptance facility.

Step 4: Get a passport photo

Every first-time applicant needs one passport photo that meets strict specifications. Muscogee County Probate Court can take the photo in its office for $15. USPS also charges $15 for passport photos when applicants need that service.

The Columbus main post office on Milgen Road lists passport photography among its available services. The Smiths Station post office also lists passport photos for applicants using that nearby location. Applicants who already have a photo should make sure it meets the required specifications before submitting their applications.

Step 5: Prepare two separate payments

Passport applicants must prepare two payments because the acceptance fee and federal application fee go to different recipients. The standard acceptance or execution fee is $35, while the U.S. Department of State charges a separate amount based on the passport requested. For a first-time adult passport book, those charges total $165 before photos or optional services.

Passport fees

The Probate Court accepts cash, cashier's checks, money orders and credit or debit cards for its $35 acceptance fee. Credit and debit card transactions carry an additional $2.50 processing charge. For the separate State Department payment, the court requires a check or money order.

USPS accepts checks, money orders or traveler's checks for the federal payment, but not credit or debit cards. The Probate Court advises applicants who are unsure about their total fees to call before purchasing a money order or bring a blank check. The listed delivery charge reflects the court's fee information effective Oct. 1, 2026.

Step 6: Follow the additional rules for children

Children younger than 16 must appear in person when applying for a passport. The Probate Court requires both parents to attend, or the family must provide a completed Form DS-3053, Notarized Statement of Consent, along with front-and-back copies of the absent parent's driver's license or identification. Parents should prepare these documents before visiting an acceptance location.

Children's passports remain valid for five years, compared with the normal 10-year validity of adult passports. USPS says children's passports cannot be renewed, so families must submit a new application when another passport is needed. A child's passport book costs $135 in combined federal and acceptance fees, excluding photos and optional services.

Step 7: Submit the application and check its status

After gathering the required documents, photo, form and payments, applicants can submit their paperwork at either Columbus acceptance location. Residents using the Probate Court can visit during its designated walk-in hours, while postal customers can use the appointment system or available walk-in service. Applicants should account for the Probate Court's November relocation when planning a visit.

USPS says application status updates may not appear for about two weeks while documents travel to the State Department. Applicants can check travel.state.gov for current processing times and passport information. The National Passport Information Center also provides assistance at 1-877-487-2778.

Already have a passport? Check online renewal

Some adults renewing passports may qualify to complete the process online instead of visiting an acceptance facility. The State Department launched its online renewal pilot in June 2024 and opened the system to the general public in September 2024. A 2025 Wall Street Journal report said the program had processed more than 3 million renewals, representing roughly half of all renewals.

Adults renewing a passport book by mail pay the $130 federal fee without an additional $35 acceptance charge. Online renewal eligibility is separate from the process for new applicants, and children's passports cannot be renewed. Residents interested in renewing online should check the State Department's eligibility requirements at travel.state.gov.

How we did this

Columbus Times prepared this guide using information from the Muscogee County Probate Court's passport page and homepage at columbusga.gov/probate, reviewed Oct. 27, 2026. We also used the U.S. Postal Service passport guide and USPS location finder results for ZIP code 31901, reviewed the same day, to identify local application services, appointments and documentation requirements. Additional background on passport validity, renewal fees and the history of online renewal came from Wikipedia's "United States passport" article, while federal passport requirements and current processing information are available at travel.state.gov.