Frequently Asked Questions

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For Adults (16 & Older)

1. DS-11 application filled out in Black Ink Only (you can print out the application at the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website) before you come in for an appointment, do not sign until in front of an agent
2. Original birth certificate or naturalization certificate
3. A copy of your original birth certificate or naturalization certificate
4. A copy of your ID (Driver's License, State ID Card or Military ID) front and back
5. Passport Photo
6. View the Adult Fees on the Application Fees page

For Minors (15 & Younger):

1. Both parents and child(ren) must be present
2. If the other parent is not in the country or unavailable and the parent is on the child's birth certificate, the absent parent will have to fill out a DS-3053, get it notarized and, along with a copy of the absent parent's valid ID front and back, the absent parent will need to mail it to the parent that will be coming in with the child(ren) since the State Department does not accept copies of the DS-3053
3. DS-11 application filled out in Black Ink Only (you can print out the application at the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website) before you come in for an appointment, do not sign until in front of an agent
4. Passport Photo
5. Original or Certified Copy of Birth Certificate
6. Copy of Birth Certificate
7. Copy, front and back, of valid IDs for parents (must be Driver's License, State ID Card, current Passport or Military ID and cannot have the statement "Not For Federal Purposes" on the top of the ID)
8. View the Minor Fees on the Application Fees page

We do not process these forms.

Fill out a DS-82 in Black Ink Only (you can print out the application at the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website), sign and date it, put on a new photo and mail it to the address on the application. If you don't need it for about 3.5 months, mail it to the middle Routine address on the application. If you need it in around 6 weeks, mail it to the Expedite Address on the application. Place the passport you are renewing and a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State, along with the filled-out application, in the envelope. We recommend using USPS Tracking, which is free, so you will know when the passport application arrives at the State Department facility.

1. Fill out a DS-11 application in Black Ink Only (you can print out the application at the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website) before you come in for your appointment, do not sign until in front of an agent
2. Bring a Passport Photo
3. Bring the current Passport
4. Bring a copy of your Birth Certificate
5. Bring a copy, front and back, of valid (must be Driver's License, State ID Card, current Passport or Military ID and cannot have the statement "Not For Federal Purposes" on the top of the ID)
6. View the Adult Fees on the Application Fees page

1. Both parents and child(ren) must be present
2. If one other parent is not in the country or unavailable and the parent is on the child's birth certificate, the absent parent will have to fill out a DS-3053 and get it notarized and, along with a copy of the absent parent's valid ID front and back, they will need to mail it to the parent that will be coming in with the child(ren) since the State Department does not accept copies of the DS-3053.
3. DS-11 application filled out in Black Ink Only (you can print out the application at the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website) before they come in for an appointment, do not sign until in front of an agent
4. Passport Photo
5. Current Passport
6. Copy of Birth Certificate
7. Copy, front and back, of valid IDs for parents (must be Driver's License, State ID Card, current Passport or Military ID and cannot have the statement "Not For Federal Purposes" on the top of the ID)
8. View the Minor Fees on the Application Fees page

You will have to go through the process of coming into our facility. You will need:

1. DS-11 application filled out in Black Ink Only (you can print out the application at the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website) before you come in for your appointment, do not sign until in front of an agent
2. Original birth certificate or naturalization certificate
3. A copy of the original birth certificate or naturalization certificate
4. A copy of your ID (Driver's License, State ID Card or Military ID) front and back
5. Passport Photo
6. View the Adult Fees on the Application Fees page

First, Fill out a Lost / Stolen form. Then, you'll go through the process like you are getting a passport for the first time:

1. DS-11 application filled out in Black Ink Only (you can print out the application at the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website) before you come in for your appointment, do not sign until in front of an agent
2. Original birth certificate or naturalization certificate
3. A copy of the original birth certificate or naturalization certificate
4. A copy of your ID (Driver's License, State ID Card or Military ID) front and back
5. Passport Photo
6. View the Adult Fees on the Application Fees page

There are two separate fees when coming into our facility:

Passport Fee

1. Adults:Check or Money Order (made out to U.S. Department of State) for:
   • Routine Service (up to 11 weeks): $130 per application
   • Expedite Service (up to 7 weeks): $190 per application
2. Minors:Check or Money Order (made out to U.S. Deptartment of State):
   • Routine Service (up to 11 weeks): $100 per application
   • Expedite Service (up to 7 weeks): $160 per application

Processing Fee

Only if you have to come into the facility.

1. Adults and Minors: Credit Card or Money Order (made out to City of Laurel) for $35 per application (We are no longer accepting cash)

Drug stores like CVS and Walgreens take Passport Photos.

If you would like the photo to be taken at our facility, the cost is $15 for each photo and the cost would go into the processing fee form of payment. (We do not take photos of infants. Toddlers that can stand up on their own and older only) You do not have to make separate appointments for photos when coming in to process your application (the photo is included in the block of time you sign up for when applying for a passport).

We can make copies of the documents for you, but we will charge $1 per copy and that fee will go onto the processing fee form of payment.

For Adults (16 & Older)

Go to the State Department's website and print out the forms you need and fill them out before you come in for your appointment.

Book your appointment by visiting the City of Laurel's Setmore website.

Be aware you will need to have everything with you, including the application already filled out, before you come in for your appointment, or you will need to make an appointment for another day and/or time.

The AMBER Plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases. The City of Laurel participates in the Plan. Broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, to air a description of the abducted child and suspected abductor. This is the same concept used during severe weather emergencies. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of the child.

The AMBER Plan was created in 1996 as a powerful legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, a bright little girl who was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas. The tragedy shocked and outraged the entire community. Residents contacted radio stations in the Dallas area and suggested they broadcast special "alerts" over the airwaves so they could help prevent such incidents in the future. In response to the community's concern for the safety of local children, the Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Radio Managers teamed up with local law enforcement agencies in northern Texas and developed this innovative early warning system to help find abducted children. Statistics show that, when abducted, a child's greatest enemy is time.

Once law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they determine whether the case meets the AMBER Plan's criteria for triggering an alert. Each program establishes its own AMBER Plan criteria; however, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children suggests criteria that should be met before an Alert is activated, and Laurel adheres to these criteria.

• Law enforcement confirms that a child has been abducted
• The abduction involves the taking of a child that is 17 years of age or younger, or is a dependent person that has a proven physical or mental disability *
• Law enforcement believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child /person is in danger of serious bodily harm or death
• There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect's vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help

Do not use the Amber Alert for locating children who have run away from home, missing children were taken by a non-custodial relative in a child custody case, lost children, or incidents when a law enforcement search is underway for a criminal suspect, i.e., murder, bank robber, rapist, and in which a child is involved.

The primary stations send the same information to area radio and television stations and cable systems via the EAS, and it is immediately broadcast by participating stations to millions of listeners. Some areas in Maryland are also incorporating electronic highway billboards in their Plans. The billboards, typically used to disseminate traffic information to drivers, now alert the public of abducted children, displaying pertinent information about the child, abductor or suspected vehicle that drivers might look for on highways.

When the effectiveness of the Amber Alert is deemed to have expired, the EAS will be deactivated with a message informing the public that any information should be directed to their local law enforcement agency. Usually an Amber Alert is not in effect for more than 24 hours.

The AMBER Alert message encourages the public to look for the missing child or suspect. You become the ears and eyes of local law enforcement. In the event that you spot a child, adult, or vehicle fitting the AMBER Alert description, immediately call 911 or the telephone number given in the AMBER Alert and provide authorities with as much information as you know.

Hours of operation vary-see schedule below. You may set-up an appointment by scheduling online through our appointment portal on the Schedule Appointment website. You may also schedule an appointment by calling 301-498-0092 and ask for the Records Unit.

The LiveScan fingerprinting service is performed at the City of Laurel Police Department located at 811 Fifth Street, Laurel, Maryland 20707.

• Mondays: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm (on the half-hour)
• Tuesdays: 11 am to 4 pm (on the hour)

Note: No fingerprinting on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays, at this time.

To be fingerprinted, upon arrival you will need to fill out a required City of Laurel Police Department LiveScan Pre-Registration Application. However, to expedite matters, you may download the required Pre-Registration Application by clicking on the PDF link below. Print and fill out the form and bring it with you to your fingerprinting appointment, along with your payment and government-issued identification. Try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete the paperwork and payment. This will allow sufficient time for fingerprinting should you have difficult prints to capture.

View the Livescan Pre-Registration Application (PDF).

Note: A percentage of the population have fingerprints that are difficult for the LiveScan machine to detect. Fingerprints can be affected by age or exposure to certain types of work such as construction or from prolonged exposure to various chemicals. If you have dry skin, please moisturize your hands well, for 24 to 48 hours prior to your appointment and hydrate by drinking plenty of water. This will improve the quality of your prints for easier detection. Hands must be washed just prior to prints being taken and cannot be moisturized after washing.

The fee for fingerprinting (per-person) ranges from $38 to $55. To determine your actual fee before your appointment, call 301-498-0092 and ask for the Records Unit. The fee for printing on the FD-258 card is $20 for up to 2-cards and $5 for each additional card printed. Payment must be made in-person at the time of fingerprinting. We accept Visa, MC, AmEx, Discover, money orders and cash as payment. Online payment is not available.

The City of Laurel Police Department offers LiveScan (electronic) Fingerprinting Services for criminal history background checks that may be required as a condition of employment, licensing, certification, foreign adoptions, or VISA/Immigration clearances. Listed below are examples of the types of applications requiring fingerprint background checks:

• Child Care Providers
• Adult Dependent Care
• Security Guard Licenses
• Special Police Commissions
• Handgun Qualification Licenses (HQL)
• Handgun Permits
• Firearms Dealers
• Security Systems Technicians
• Immigration / VISA Applications
• Criminal Justice Employment (Sworn and Civilian)
• Many other positions which require a criminal background check prior to employment, or when a person requests an individual review of their record.

The City of Laurel Police Department also provides electronic imaging of fingerprints on FD-258 cards, which we provide if necessary, or you can bring your own. Our equipment cannot print fingerprints on paper forms nor on any other type of card other than the FD-258.

Note: We do not fingerprint for Taxicabs licenses, Limousine licenses, or Liquor licenses.

If you need an ink on card fingerprinting service, you can find a list of locations through the State Department.

Customers who arrive more than 5 minutes after his/her appointment time must reschedule a fingerprinting appointment so that other appointments remain on schedule.

If you need additional information, please call 301-498-0092 and ask for the Records Unit.

Please note, we cannot fingerprint you if:

• your paperwork is not filled out completely or has missing information
• you do not have proper or necessary code numbers (authorization or ORI)
• you do not have your payment
• you do not have valid, acceptable government issued identification

A LiveScan Fingerprinting Technician will roll/scan applicant fingerprints and submit prints electronically to the State of Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and, dependent upon the requirements of the background check, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Provided your prints are clear, it takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes for a certified fingerprint technician to type in an applicant's information (i.e. Name, birth date, gender etc.) into the computer, scan applicant fingerprints and electronically transmit the information to CJIS and FBI.

Next, CJIS and FBI will process applicant criminal background checks using the applicant submitted information and fingerprints. CJIS and FBI background checks can take up to two or three days; however, some requests may take up to two weeks or longer depending on the information contained within the record, e.g., various name spellings/changes, or if applicant has a past criminal history.

Last, CJIS and the FBI will send applicant criminal history background checks directly to the requesting agency or employer as identified by the Authorization and/or ORI numbers.

Note: In the case of an individual/personal review, the information is sent directly to the person fingerprinted.

Applicants should allow a minimum of seven days before making a status inquiry. Please note: the City of Laurel Police Department does not receive the results of the background check. To inquire about the status of your background check, please refer to the phone number located on your fingerprinting receipt (not your payment receipt).

NOTE: A percentage of the population have fingerprints that are difficult for the LiveScan machine to detect. Fingerprints can be affected by age or exposure to certain types of work such as construction or from prolonged exposure to various chemicals. If you have dry skin, please moisturize your hands well, for 24 to 48 hours prior to your appointment and hydrate by drinking plenty of water. This will improve the quality of your prints for easier detection. Hands must be washed just prior to prints being taken and cannot be moisturized after washing.

Currently, our registrations are taken as teams and the fees are for entire franchises. We will, however, be glad to take individual player names and add them to our individuals player list. This list is provided to teams (upon request) allowing team managers to call interested players if they are in need.

Contact the Adult Sports League Coordinator at 301-497-0300 ext 2350

The franchise fee covers:

• Certified officials
• Game balls
• Awards
• Administration
• Field/gym reservations
• League staff
• NSA registration (softball)
• Light fees (softball)

Each team is responsible for providing its own team jerseys (with numbers on the back). Also, individual equipment (i.e. softball bats, gloves, etc.) is the responsibility of each team.

Currently, sponsorship awards are given to the first-place finishers for both the regular season or playoffs. Individual awards are given to the playoff championship team. Occasionally, additional team awards are presented.

Your roster may hold a maximum of the following number of players:

• 20 players (Softball)
• 15 players (Basketball)
• 16 players (Futsal)
• 16 players (Kickball)
• 10 players (Dodgeball)
• 12 players (Flag Football)
• 20 players (Ultimate Frisbee)

You may add additional players up until the player addition/deletion deadline. Refer to your league rules for limitations and deadlines.

The Roster, Player Addition, and Player Deletion forms can all be obtained through our website's Downloads section.

Yes, all players are asked to wear team uniforms consisting of the same color with 8-inch numbers on the back.

You and your neighbors keep an eye on your neighborhood. If you observe a crime or suspicious activity in your neighborhood, immediately report what you have observed to the police. Police respond to your call and investigate or apprehend the criminal.

Neighborhood Watch is a national program which unites law enforcement agencies, local organizations and individual citizens in a community-wide effort to reduce residential crime. Thousands of these programs have been developed around the county and is a remarkably successful anti-crime effort-neighbor looking out for neighbor.

Contact as many of your neighbors as possible and ask them if they would be willing to meet to organize a Neighborhood Watch group. Contact the Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092 for help in training members on home security and reporting skills, and for information on local crime patterns. Select a Neighborhood Watch block captain who is responsible for organizing meetings and relaying information to members.

Put up highly visible Neighborhood Watch signs and decals. These alert criminals that community members will watch and report their activities. You can also become a part of the Police Department's Citizens Volunteer Patrol Program.

You may file a telephone complaint with the City of Laurel's Animal Control Officer by calling 301-498-0092.

Call the Animal Control Officer at 301-498-0092.

If the animal is wearing a current Prince George's County license, rabies tag, other type of license or an identification tag, the owner will be notified by phone. If the animal is not wearing any type of identification it is best for the owners to visit Prince George's County, Animal Shelter website. View an Online Map of Directions to the Facility.

See Licensing Information section on this page for information.

Animals that are not spayed or neutered, the fee is $25.00. Animals that are spayed or neutered, the fee is $5.00. (Prices subject to change)

Contact Laurel TNR at 301-886-0161 or visit the Laurel Cats website at to learn about their Trap-Neuter-Release program.

City of Laurel does not trap wildlife that is outside. This includes snakes, birds, bats, rats or squirrels. Please contact the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Hotline at 877-463-6497 for advice on how to keep the wildlife out of your yard. We discourage people from trapping wildlife.

If you have an animal in your house, we can set a trap in an attempt to capture it. We are not able to set traps or assist if the animal is in your attic, crawl space or inside walls. If you have animals in your attic, crawl space or inside a wall, you should contact a local pest control company.

Compostable Items List

There are a few compostable things we are not accepting in our composting and a few non-compostable items you might think are compostable but are not. Please do not put the following in your Organics Recycling and Composting containers:

• Most Yard Debris. Please request a Yard Debris pickup.
• Animal feces.
• Paper plates, paper cartons, and paper containers with a thin waxy or plastic lining.
• Paper Towels are used for cleaning with chemical cleaning products.

Yes, but we do not recommend it. Larger things like greasy pizza boxes may be ok, but small messy things like watermelon rinds and crab shells may not. We can't guarantee every scrap will shake out cleanly and your container could become smelly and dirty if you do not use the bio-bags. One option is to use a large paper yard debris bag inside your container or you can purchase 35-gallon compostable bags online if you want to put items straight into the larger container. Public Works can give you some brands that are acceptable at our composting facility.

Yes! The lock is meant to keep critters out of your container. Our laborers will unlock the container when they do the pickup.

Whatever works best for you! You can put it out every Wednesday or wait until it is mostly full. We will stop by every Wednesday to check for your container regardless.

Yes! In addition to the hair - dryer lint is also acceptable - never would have guessed that one.

You can send us an email or give us a call and we'll be glad to get more bags delivered to you. You can also purchase your own bags online so long as you make sure they are biodegradable bags.

The filters provided last for 3 months. The first replacement filter will be provided by the City, just give us a call or an email and we will deliver it. Replacement filters after this can be bought at hardware stores and cut to fit your container.

Yes! We're a bit more than half full, so if you have any neighbors or friends in the City who may want to do organics recycling, please send them our way!

Residential Special Pickups are made on most Wednesdays throughout the year. There are no pickups in weeks with a holiday and during the winter months, pickups are reduced to roughly every other week depending on how the holidays fall. Please check the City calendar or call the office to verify pickup dates.

Requests for pickups must be made by the end of the day Monday.

Submit your request via the web or mobile app with MyLaurel MD!

Select Refuse, Recycling, and Other Pickups, then select Special / Bulk Pickup in the subtype dropdown!

To contact us by phone, call 301-725-0088 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (TTY / Text users call via Maryland Relay). After-hour callers may leave a message on our automated voicemail system. For your convenience, you can also schedule a special pickup or yard debris collection 24 / 7 by emailing Public Works. You can also schedule a bulk item pickup through our online app located below through the My Laurel mobile app.

Special pickup items must be set out to the curb before 7 am the morning of the collection. For your convenience items may be set out after 7:30 am on the Saturday before the scheduled pickup. If you have a homeowner's association (HOA) they may have more restrictive requirements on when items may be set out.

Items must be at the curb or as close to the street as possible. We can not come onto your private property to collect items placed against the house, under a deck, etc.

Please separate your metal items from your regular household goods. The Department has separate trucks to collect metal items and regular household items.

During the day of your pickup, you may find half of the pile has been taken and the other half was "missed." This may be because one truck (metal truck or household truck) has been through but the other has not. If you believe your items were missed please call the office the next day (Thursday) so we can return your items.

If you have restricted items that the City of Laurel cannot collect, you will want to contact the Prince George's County Dump - The Brown Station Landfill at 301-952-7610. Area residents and businesses may use the Brown Station Road Landfill in Upper Marlboro. The site is about 23 miles south of Laurel on Maryland Route 202. The dump is not affiliated with the City of Laurel but is under the jurisdiction of the Prince George's County Government. You will want to contact them directly for hours, items accepted and dumping fees.

Yard Waste includes normal lawn and garden debris such as leaves, brush, grass clippings, twigs, pruning, and small branches (not more than 3 inches in diameter and not longer than 4 feet). Bamboo is not accepted in the City's Yard Waste and must be called in as a Bulky Pickup.

Yard Debris Collections are made on most Wednesdays. View the Yard Debris calendar for the complete collection schedule. Requests for pickups must be made by the end of the day Monday. During April, the Department will offer an additional Monday pickup, which must be scheduled before the end of the day Thursday. To contact us by phone, call 301-725-0088 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (TTY / Text users call via Maryland Relay). After-hour callers may leave a message on our automated voicemail system. For your convenience, you can also schedule a yard debris pickup 24/7 by emailing Public Works. You can also schedule a yard debris pickup through our online app located below through the My Laurel mobile app.

Even though Yard Debris is free, it is still considered a special collection. Our crews do not drive through the entire city looking for yard waste, but instead each week they are given a route of only those addresses where the pickup was requested. We also only pick up at those addresses who made requests. Even if other yard debris is out along a street where we are picking up we do not take it because we want our residents to get into the habit of calling us to get put on the list each week they need yard debris picked up.

To encourage the use of reusable bags or no bags. Following the single-use plastic bag ban in the City of Laurel, the share of grocery shoppers using paper bags rose from less than 1% to 68%, while the share using reusable bags rose from 5% to only 14%, and no bag from 7% to 14%.  By requiring retailers to charge at least 10 cents for alternate bags (paper or reusable), we can help reduce the waste and litter caused by single bags.

January 1, 2024

Single-use plastic bags make up a portion of local litter as many bags end up in our trees, streets, parks, and waterways, blocking storm drains and polluting our environment. Unfortunately, according to the EPA, only about 3% of single-use plastic bags are recycled nationwide. Further, single-use plastic bags are not accepted in the City’s recycling program due to Prince George’s County restrictions from their Single-Stream Recycling Program and Materials Recycling Facility which receives all the City’s recyclable materials.

The charge for paper bags reduces the demand for them and is an incentive for patrons to bring their own reusable bags. The manufacture of paper bags has serious upstream environmental impacts, and they are far more expensive than single-use plastic bags. Providing them free of charge at checkout in such large numbers may increase retailer overhead, which may result in higher prices. 

No. The City doesn't collect any fees from this Ordinance.

This new Ordinance encourages shoppers and patrons to use reusable bags for their groceries and other purchases.  As part of the Ordinance, alternate bags like paper bags or reusable bags can be provided, but retailers must charge a minimum of $.10 per bag and retain the entirety of the fee to cover costs. Restaurant carry-out bags are included in the Ordinance. There are exemptions to this law, like bulk food, meat, ice, or produce packaging. For a full list of exemptions, please see the next FAQ.

Exemptions from the City's Ordinance No. 2008 include bags that:

• Package bulk items: including produce (fruit and vegetables), nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items.
• Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, or fish, regardless of packaging.
• Contain or wrap flowers, potted plants, or other damp items.
• Contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods.
• Contain garments or dry-cleaned clothes, including suits, jacket, and dresses.
• Contain ice.
• Plastic bags sold in packages containing plastic bags.
• Plastic bag provided by the retail establishment to take live fish, insects, mollusks, or crustaceans away from the establishment.  

Yes. Ordinance No. 2008 will restrict the use of non-reusable plastic bags given or received at the point of purchase by City retailers and restaurants effective January 1, 2024. 

Following the rollout, enforcement will be complaint-driven, through online reporting or a hot line, and enforced by the City’s Department of Fire Marshal and Permit Services. Community members can report non-compliance via the City’s reporting system available at MyLaurel MD app.

A bag with stitched handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and is made of: 

1. Cloth or other washable fabric. 
2. A durable material suitable for multiple re-use that is not made of plastic film.

Contact our Environmental Programs Manager, Michele Blair at the Green Living email link here.

• Be a resident of the City of Laurel, Maryland
• Be between 16 and 18 years old
• Be currently enrolled in high school as a:
  1. Sophomore (10th grade)
  2. Junior (11th grade)
  3. Senior (12th grade)
• Have a strong interest in aviation, drones, public safety, or STEM-related careers
• Be available to attend ALL scheduled training sessions
• Submit a completed application package, which includes:

1. Application form. (Click Here for Online Application)
2. One-page personal statement
3. Letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or mentor
4. Proof of Residency (Parents/Guardians name on utility bill, school record or Government ID)

 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (UP TO 20 POINTS)

• 20 points: Meets all program eligibility criteria
• 10 points: Missing one eligibility item
• 0 points: Missing two or more eligibility items

PERSONAL STATEMENT (UP TO 25 POINTS)

• 25 points: Clearly communicates motivation, goals, and interest in drones or aviation
• 15 points: Demonstrates interest but lacks clarity or detail
• 5 points: Weak, vague, or incomplete submission

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION (UP TO 15 POINTS)

• 15 points: Strong letter with specific examples of the applicant’s potential
• 10 points: General support with limited detail
• 5 points: Minimal or non-specific letter

INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE (UP TO 25 POINTS IF INTERVIEWS ARE CONDUCTED)

• 25 points: Demonstrates excellent communication, enthusiasm, and preparedness
• 15 points: Responds adequately with moderate engagement
• 5 points: Minimal effort or unclear responses

COMMITMENT AND AVAILABILITY (UP TO 15 POINTS)

• 15 points: Fully committed and available for all training sessions
• 10 points: Minor scheduling concerns
• 5 points: Uncertain or limited availability

FINAL SELECTION PROCESS:

The applicant with the highest total score in each grade category (Sophomore, Junior, Senior) will be selected for the program. Alternates may be selected in the event that a top candidate becomes ineligible or withdraws from the program.

TIE-BREAKER CONSIDERATIONS:

In the event of a tie, the following factors may be considered:

• Length of residency in the City of Laurel
• Level of community involvement or volunteer service
• Representation of an underrepresented group in aviation or STEM fields

Apply online for the City of Laurel Youth Drone Certificate Program by clicking here. If you would like to download the Youth Drone Certificate Program packet in its entirety, please click here.