Looking for a New U.S. Passport? Accelerate Your Application at Local Passport Fairs

The demand for U.S. passports has surged as Americans eagerly return to international travel. Unfortunately, this spike in demand has led to longer processing times—the U.S. State Department recently announced that standard processing now takes 10 to 13 weeks, an increase from the previous 8 to 11 weeks since early February, and 6 to 9 weeks prior to that. Expedited processing times have also risen to 7 to 9 weeks, compared to 3 to 5 weeks as recently as January, not including mailing time, which can add several additional weeks.

However, there's a way to speed up part of the mailing process by applying in person. This summer, the U.S. State Department will host a series of Passport Acceptance Fairs, where first-time applicants and children can apply for new passports.

“Passport acceptance venues like post offices, libraries, and local government offices are holding special passport acceptance fairs throughout the United States to assist you and your family in applying for passports,” the State Department announced last week.

Most venues cater to first-time applicants, including children, and will follow standard or expedited processing timelines. Those requiring a passport for urgent travel—scheduled within 9 weeks—should schedule an appointment at a passport agency. Travelers wishing to renew their passports can do so via mail.

“We are on course to break the record for the highest demand year ever, far exceeding the numbers seen during previous spikes in 2007 and 2017,” the State Department stated in a March release regarding passport processing delays, highlighting that during certain weeks, the agency receives over 500,000 applications.

In light of this surge, first-time applicants and families seeking new passports for their children might benefit from attending one of these in-person passport acceptance events to expedite the process. Be sure to bring all necessary documentation and note that some locations require an advance appointment.

Here is the complete list of upcoming Passport Acceptance Fairs (as of the latest update).

2023 U.S. Passport Fairs

• July 11: Verona Town Library, Verona, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 12: West Orange Park and Ride, West Orange, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 12: Montgomery Library, Skillman, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 13: Belleville Public Library, Belleville, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 15: Rancho Del Rey Station Post Office, Chula Vista, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Encinitas Main Post Office, Encinitas, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: El Cajon Main Post Office, El Cajon, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Jamul Post Office, Jamul, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Tecate Post Office, Tecate, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: La Quinta Post Office, La Quinta, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: La Mesa Post Office, La Mesa, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Los Angeles Main Post Office, Los Angeles, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Thermal Post Office, Thermal, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Riverfront Carrier Annex, San Diego, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: College Grove Center, San Diego, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Carmel Mountain Postal Store, San Diego, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Otay Mesa Annex Post Office, San Diego, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: University City Finance Post Office, San Diego, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Fallbrook Post Office, Fallbrook, California (no appointment required)
• July 15: Westfield Post Office, Westfield, Massachusetts (no appointment required)
• July 15: Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Okeechobee, Florida (no appointment required)
• July 15: Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce, Florida (appointment required)
• July 15: West Orange Park and Ride, West Orange, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 16: Palos Verdes Library District—Peninsula Center Library, Rolling Hills Estate, California (no appointment required)
• July 18: Verona Town Library, Verona, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 19: West Caldwell Town Library, West Caldwell, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 19: Hillsborough Library, Hillsborough, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 20: Livingston Town Hall, Livingston, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 21: Ventura County Law Library, Ventura, California (appointment required)
• July 22: Hanover Post Office, Hanover, Connecticut (no appointment required)
• July 22: Georgia State University, Clarkston Campus, Atlanta, Georgia (no appointment required)
• July 25: Verona Town Library, Verona, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 26: Watchung Library, Watchung, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 26: West Orange Park and Ride, West Orange, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 27: Millburn Public Library, Millburn, New Jersey (appointment required)
• July 29: Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court Office, Savannah, Georgia (no appointment required)
• July 29: West Caldwell Town Library, West Caldwell, New Jersey (appointment required)
• August 8: Bound Brook Library, Bound Brook, New Jersey (appointment required)
• August 16: Hillsborough Library, Hillsborough, New Jersey (appointment required)
• August 23: Manville Library, Manville, New Jersey (appointment required)
• August 30: Montgomery Library, Skillman, New Jersey (appointment required)

The State Department has indicated that more events will be added to the schedule. For those travelers who don't have a fair nearby, there are many passport acceptance facilities across the country where applications can be submitted.