With passports in high demand and wait times at historic highs, the State Department is offering a solution
There’s a Surprisingly Easy Way to Apply for Passports in Person—Here’s What You Need to Know
Updated on Feb. 12, 2025
If you’re a first-time traveler looking to get a passport, great news! The U.S. Department of State has made the process faster and simpler to help you get your passport on time. Whether you’re applying for a new one for yourself or your child, we’ve got all the details on where and how to apply below.
In 2024, the U.S. Department of State issued a record-breaking 24.5 million passport books and cards—the third year in a row that the record was shattered! With more people booking flights and traveling, having a valid passport is more important than ever.
So keep reading for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a passport—plus details about the new travel authorizations for Europe coming soon.
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What’s the current wait time for a passport?
As of February 2025, the State Department reports that routine processing for both new passport applications and passport renewals takes four to six weeks. You can pay an extra $60 to expedite the process, reducing the wait time to two to three weeks. Keep in mind that this does not include mailing time, which can add several weeks to the timeline.
What is the new way to apply for a passport?
If you’re a new passport applicant—or if you have a child in need of a passport—there’s a new solution that eliminates some of the mailing time. Called Special Passport Acceptance Fairs, these in-person events are set up by the State Department at post offices, libraries and local government offices across the country to help travelers complete their application process using Form DS-11.
You can use its online facility search tool to find out if a passport fair is happening near you. New events are added every week, so if you don’t see one near you, check back again soon. As of publication, fairs will be held in New Jersey, California and Alabama throughout February, March and April. Some fairs require appointments, so be sure to check before you go. The full event list is also available.
But take note, these passport acceptance facilities do not issue passports. Instead, they offer routine and expedited service by mailing your application to the U.S. Department of State.
Who is eligible to get a passport in person?
These acceptance fairs are only being held for first-time applicants and children under 16 in need of passports (using the Form DS-11). Those who need to renew an expired passport, can renew it by mail or renew it online. If renewing your passport by mail, keep in mind wait times if you have travel planned.
What other options are there to get a passport quickly?
If you can’t make it to a fair and the expedited process isn’t going to be fast enough for you, the State Department does offer the option to book an appointment at their passport agencies or centers. This is for anyone with urgent international travel happening within the next 14 days or anyone traveling with a visa within the next 28 days.
Is a passport the only requirement for travel?
It depends on where you’re going! Travelers from the U.S., Canada and over 40 other countries now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit or even pass through the United Kingdom. And that’s not all—beginning mid-2025, a similar requirement called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will apply to Americans and other visa-exempt travelers heading to 30 European countries.
So, if you’re getting or renewing a passport, keep these new rules in mind before flying to your next destination!
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Sources:
- Travel.State.Gov: “Get Your Processing Time”
- U.S. Department of State: “Reports and Statistics”
- U.S. Department of State: “Special Passport Acceptance Fairs”
- U.S. Department of State: “Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page”
