# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How do I Get a Passport in Joplin,Missouri?

In order to travel from one country to another, American citizens are required to have a passport. A passport is a government issued document that certifies your country of origin, age, gender, and name. There are time limits associated with the passport determining how long you are legally able to visit a country other than your own. You can obtain a passport application from post offices, or private agencies in your city. It is also possible to obtain a passport through the Department of Defense, but this approach is most often used by government and military officials.

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain a passport application from the Joplin post office or download the application from online. Complete the application, providing all information required for each line. There are three post offices in Joplin. To obtain a passport application, visit either of the post offices at 3115 South Main Street or 101 North Main Street.
  
  US Post Office‎
  
  3115 South Main Street
  
  Joplin, MO 64804-9998
  
  417-623-4488
  
  usps.com‎
  
  US Post Office
  
  101 North Main Street
  
  Joplin, MO 64801-9998
  
  417-623-6176
  
  usps.com‎
- 2
  Obtain two copies of a passport photo to submit with your application. The photo must be exactly 2 inches wide and 2 inches tall, no more than 1200 pixels and consist of the head and neck of the applicant without sunglasses, hats, etc. The photo must show your entire head, including your hair. You may smile in your photo as long as your eyes remain open.
- 3
  Take the application, photo and required documentation to the Joplin post office. You will be required to pay a passport fee (Adult $97), and you have the option of expediting your passport application for an additional fee of $60. Passports that are not expedited can take from 8 to 10 weeks to be processed. Expedited passports typically take between 2 and 4 weeks to process.