Passport Tips from BPL for Winter Travels 2025-2026
This past summer was scorchingly hot, and now it is time to cool off (hopefully) by purchasing those coveted plane tickets and making hotel reservations for a wonderful wintertime trip!
As always, make sure that you have your obligatory, quintessential passport!
Apply for or renew your passport today at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) to avoid packing any last-minute stress on your vacation.
The BPL is a Passport Acceptance Facility and has many passport acceptance agents who can help you navigate the application process.
You can start your passport application process at the Central Library, the Avondale Regional Branch Library, or the Springville Road Regional Branch Library.
Central Library's passport hours for walk-in services are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 205-226-3705 or stop by the Citizen Services Department at the Central Library to find out more.
The Avondale Branch Library and the Springville Road Branch Library both offer passport application services by appointment only. Call the Avondale Library at (205) 226-4000 to reserve your spot. Call the Springville Road Branch Library at (205) 226-4081 to reserve your spot at this branch.
Be sure to use the passport application forms that are most up to date. The following forms are also available for free on the internet. You should not pay any additional, unnecessary fees to fill out one of these documents online.
Here is a list of the documents you need to apply for your passport today:
Form DS-82 (Adult passport renewal form only if issued within 15 years)
Birth certificate
Driver's license
Photograph (Photograph services at Central, Avondale, and Springville)
Payment for U.S. Department of State as a check or money order
Payment for Library in cash, check, or credit
Here are other documents that you might need to fill out because of special situations:
Form DS-64 (Valid passport has been lost or stolen. This document must also be submitted with a DS-11 application.)
Form DS-5504 (Data correction or name change within 1 year or limited passport replacement)
Form DS-3053 (This statement of consent for issuing a passport to a child must be notarized and submitted with a DS-11 application.)
Form DS-5525 (This document is strictly a statement of exigent/special family circumstances.)
Form DS-86 (Statement you did not receive your U.S. passport)
Form DS-10 (This document is strictly meant for applicants if their birth certificate was issued over a year after they were born. It must also be notarized.)
Form DS-71 (This document only pertains to applicants who do not have a primary form of identification. A witness must sign this form in front of a passport agent.)
Form DS-60 (This document is meant to verify an applicant’s new name that is not evident in a court order or marriage certificate.)
NOTE: If you want to travel overseas, you need to account for the time it takes to receive your passport. The U.S. Department of State reported that normal processing time for passports ranges from 4-6 weeks. Expedited passports, which cost an extra $60.00, range from 2-3 weeks.
If you need to renew or apply for a passport sooner than the 2-3 week range of expedited passport processing, you can schedule an appointment at either the Atlanta Passport Agency or the New Orleans Passport Center.
You can also contact your state’s senators if you have other pressing questions, concerns, or sudden emergencies pertaining to your passport application process.
If you have been issued a special issuance passport for the military or government work, you will still need to apply for a tourist passport if you are traveling for leisure.
Here are some helpful links for your travel agenda:
All the hard work is done!
Check out these travel recommendations from William Anthony of the Birmingham Public Library:
Iceland’s natural beauty cannot be captured in just one photo.
When I think about Reykjavík, Iceland, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Blue Lagoon. Don’t be afraid to take a dip in its very warm, always refreshing geothermal seawater, even during the winter season. You will feel like a new person after you try other experiences offered at this paradise such as in-water massage, float therapy, the Mask Bar, and storytelling.
The Golden Circle tour is another obligatory activity while exploring the rest of this land of fire and ice. It is the perfect excursion for travelers who want to prioritize the outdoors. The waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes, and tectonic plates all confirm that there will never be a dull, boring moment once you put on your hiking boots. More specifically, Thingvellir National Park, which translates to Assembly Plains, is literally and figuratively the heart of this entire country. It would be a mistake to skip its focal point, Almannagjá, where gorges and fissures lie awaiting your photography. That would be like going to Yellowstone National Park without checking out Old Faithful.
Once the sun sets, stay up late so that you can witness the Northern Lights dance across the sky. The aurora borealis is another enlightening spectacle that is worth the wait once it illuminates all of Iceland. Wintertime is the best time to book a trip to Iceland if you want to capture that green arc.
This is how I envision the winter holidays in my head.
Iceland is not the only place where you can watch auroras unfold before you. Lapland, Finland is another perfect destination to capture this celestial phenomenon. The view in Finland is just as awe-inspiring as it is in Iceland.
On top of that, this region is literally the perfect place to celebrate Christmas festivities because of Santa Claus Village. One stroll through this quaint amusement park will make you appreciate the holiday spirit all the more. You can enjoy a sleigh ride pulled by either huskies or reindeer. Don’t forget to send a letter or postcard to your friends and family from the Santa Claus Main Post Office because this mail will include the Arctic Circle’s distinct postmark. It’s a gift that they won’t forget. Now this is what you call a winter wonderland!
A visit to Lapland, Finland also requires exploring Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, especially if you are a geology enthusiast. Amethyst is a purple gemstone that you can dig for in this working mine, and such valuable mineral quartz can be yours to keep if it fits inside your fist. This souvenir will never lose its value after your vacation in this region is over. Get ready to dig if you want to preserve these memories!
You deserve to wander around here.
Tokyo may be a bustling city that is guaranteed to keep you entertained, but don’t forget about Kyoto.
Just like Iceland and Finland, Kyoto offers plenty of outdoor activities that range from hiking and cycling to forest bathing and going on a rickshaw tour. You will forget about the cold temperatures once you spend time in this part of Japan that is off the beaten path.
There are dozens of temples and gardens that will make Kyoto feel more homely. If there are few temples that you must visit, set aside an afternoon for Kinkaku-ji Temple, Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden, and Kodaiji Temple.
Another exciting tradition in Kyoto is participating in a tea ceremony. Wearing an elegant kimono makes this ceremony even more special as you make your own matcha.
No trip to Kyoto is complete without strolling through Gion, especially at around dusk because of its lantern-lit streets. It is Kyoto’s most popular and iconic geisha district. A geisha’s hospitality and artistic talents are a major part of Gion’s cultural significance.
Be sure to bundle up if you choose to go on a vacation to these popular recommendations during the upcoming winter season!
Final Tips
2025 marks the five-year anniversary since the COVD-19 pandemic erupted all over the world. Stay vigilant about practicing sanitary habits and be mindful of your overall health.
Before traveling abroad, check for travel restrictions in any locations that you are traveling through. This includes your final destination and any other stops for connecting flights, layovers, or similar trips.
Regarding current events around the world, practice increased caution while traveling abroad. Always be aware of your surroundings. Your safety must be a top priority. Contact a nearby foreign embassy and consulate as soon as possible if you find yourself stuck in a dangerous situation.
On top of that, some countries might require additional documentation along with your passport such as a visa or an electronic travel authorization, which is particularly meant for a visit to Canada or the United Kingdom.
If you plan on traveling domestically, the deadline to obtain the STAR ID on your driver’s license was May 7th, 2025. However, there is no need to worry if you don’t have your STAR ID yet. You can use a passport book or card in place of a driver’s license without the STAR ID while flying domestically. Many DMVs are also offering appointments for a STAR ID if you haven’t gotten it yet.
Find out more about these travel destinations and others at the Birmingham Public Library and other members of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative.
Written by William Anthony | Librarian I, Citizen Services Department, Central Library
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