Empowering Travellers: Special US Passport Acceptance Fairs

Planning a summer trip overseas and need a passport?

The US State Department is stepping in to help reduce the wait time amid the backlog and the surge of new passport applications.

The US State Department will hold dozens of special passport acceptance fairs across the country in the coming weeks.

“We’re hosting special passport fairs across the United States to help you and your family apply for your passport,”
The US State Department

The “Special Passport Acceptance Fairs” will be held at public libraries, recreation centres, and local city administrative offices. A majority of the events are in California and New Jersey, but several others are taking place in Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin.

New events are added weekly, and the full schedule is available on the US State Department website.

The special events are only for new passport applications, and travellers who are looking to renew an existing passport are advised to send the passport renewal application by mail.

Passport acceptance facilities only offer routine and expedited service. If you need a passport for urgent travel, you need to make an appointment at one of the passport agencies or centres.

Some facilities are open on the weekends. Some of the events require an appointment while others are available for walk-ins.

US Passport Processing Time

Last March, the US State Department extended the standard processing time for a new or renewed passport to 10 to 13 weeks for routine service. While it takes 7 to 9 weeks for those who pay a $60 fee for expedited service.

However, many people are finding that the wait times have exceeded even 13 weeks.

In comparison, routine processing used to take about six to eight weeks and two to three weeks for expedited service.

Whether you’re applying for a new passport or renewing, make sure to consider the passport timeline when planning your trip.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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