Hours, walk-in availability, what to bring, fees, and appointment links — organized by county and city. The only local passport application guide built for real applicants.
Most websites give you national advice. We give you the specific hours, rules, and requirements for your county's passport offices — county clerks, post offices, city halls, and more.
Search by county name or state to see every passport acceptance facility in your area — including ones that don't appear in the State Department's finder tool.
Open finder →Every county page includes a specific checklist: what documents to bring, whether photos are taken on-site, accepted payment methods, and common rejection pitfalls.
See DS-11 guide →Some counties accept walk-ins; others require appointments weeks out. We tell you exactly which approach works in your county so you don't waste a trip.
Walk-in guide →Applying for a child under 16 is more complex — both parents, DS-3053 if one is absent, certified birth certificate. We walk you through every scenario by county.
Child passport guide →Traveling in under 14 days? We cover which counties have same-day scheduling and how to reach a regional passport agency for emergency appointments.
Expedited guide →Download our DS-11 preparation checklist, child passport checklist, and county-specific guides — all free, no email required.
Get checklists →Select your state to see county-by-county passport office information, walk-in policies, and local tips.
Don't see your state? Use the full county finder tool →
Whether you're applying for the first time, applying for a child, or scrambling after your library closed — these pages answer the real questions.
As of February 2026, over 1,400 library locations were removed from the State Department's acceptance program. This guide tells you exactly which county clerks, post offices, and city halls are taking over — by state.
Read guide →Everything you need to complete Form DS-11 without rejection: which birth certificates are accepted, how to get a compliant passport photo, what NOT to sign before your appointment, and what to expect on the day.
Read guide →Applying for a child's first passport requires both parents present — or a completed DS-3053 if one parent can't attend. We cover every scenario including divorced parents, single parents, and emergency situations.
Read guide →Standard and expedited mail processing won't work if you're traveling within 2 weeks. This guide covers in-person appointments at regional passport agencies, what "life-or-death" emergency appointments require, and realistic timelines.
Read guide →Filter by state, walk-in availability, photo service on-site, and appointment requirement. The only filterable directory of U.S. passport acceptance facilities — free to use.
Don't show up unprepared. Our two-page checklist covers every document, every photo requirement, and every common mistake that causes same-day rejection. Free download, no email required.
It depends entirely on the specific location. Some USPS post offices accept walk-ins during all operating hours; others require appointments made through passportappointment.usps.com. County clerk offices have their own separate policies — many require appointments, but some high-volume offices do accept walk-ins early in the morning.
The safest approach: use our County Finder tool to check the specific walk-in policy for locations in your county before making the trip. Showing up without an appointment at an appointment-only location will result in being turned away.
In February 2026, the U.S. State Department terminated its agreements with nonprofit libraries, removing approximately 1,400 acceptance facility locations from the national network. The decision was part of a broader federal program reduction and was not related to individual library performance.
If your library previously accepted applications, you'll need to find an alternative. The most common options are nearby USPS post offices, county clerk offices, and city or town hall facilities. See our complete guide to library alternatives for your state.
Several types of birth certificates are commonly rejected and cause same-day appointment failures:
Not accepted: Hospital-issued birth certificates (the "souvenir" version given at birth), photocopies of any certificate, birth certificates from foreign countries without certified translation, and birth certificates that are laminated (lamination voids the document for official purposes).
Required: A certified copy of your birth certificate issued by a U.S. city, county, or state vital records office — with an embossed, raised, or multicolored seal, and the registrar's signature. See our DS-11 guide for the full document requirements.
This varies by location. Many USPS post offices offer passport photo services on-site for a fee (typically $15–$18). County clerk offices are less consistent — some have photo services, others do not. Always check before your appointment.
If you prefer to bring your own photo: it must be 2×2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, on a plain white or off-white background, with a neutral expression, eyes open, and no glasses. CVS, Walgreens, FedEx Office, and AAA locations all offer compliant photos. Use our county finder to see whether photo service is available at your specific location.
As of 2026, standard processing is 6–8 weeks from submission. Expedited processing (additional $60 fee) is 2–3 weeks. These timelines begin when the State Department receives your application from the acceptance facility — which typically happens within 1–3 business days of your appointment.
These timelines fluctuate seasonally. Spring and early summer (March–June) are peak passport season and processing times often increase. If you're traveling within 14 weeks, seriously consider paying for expedited processing. See our expedited passport guide for options when time is critical.
A passport book ($130 for adults) is the traditional booklet and is accepted for all international travel including air travel. A passport card ($30 for adults) is wallet-sized and valid only for land and sea crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda — not for air travel.
You can apply for both at the same time using a single DS-11 form appointment. Most applicants doing international air travel should apply for the book; the card is a useful supplement if you frequently cross into Canada or Mexico by land.
Use our free county finder to see walk-in availability, hours, photo services, and what to bring for every acceptance facility near you.