Libraries No Longer Accept Passport Applications — Where to Go Instead

If your local library used to accept passport applications, it no longer can. Here is exactly what happened, which states were most affected, and how to find your nearest alternative fast.

Last updated: February 2026 · 8 min read

What Happened: The State Department Removed Libraries From the Program

On February 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of State terminated its Memoranda of Agreement with nonprofit library systems across the country, effectively removing approximately 1,400 library branches from the passport acceptance facility network overnight. Libraries had been a popular option — often offering evening and weekend hours that county clerks and post offices don't — so the removal created immediate confusion for tens of thousands of applicants who relied on them.

If you had an appointment scheduled at a library passport office, that appointment was automatically cancelled. The library staff cannot process your application even if they wanted to — they no longer have authorization from the State Department to do so, and their acceptance agent certifications have been revoked.

The decision was not related to individual library performance. It was a federal program consolidation affecting all nonprofit libraries that had been authorized as acceptance facilities. For-profit entities like shipping stores and some private businesses that held acceptance facility status were not affected.

Which States Lost the Most Library Locations

Library passport acceptance was not evenly distributed. States with strong public library systems and dense suburban populations had the most library-based acceptance facilities — and therefore the most disruption when the program ended.

The states most affected include:

• Pennsylvania — Libraries were a primary acceptance option in many suburban Philadelphia and Pittsburgh-area communities where post office capacity is limited
• Connecticut — High per-capita library usage meant many residents defaulted to their local library branch
• New Jersey — Suburban counties relied heavily on library locations to handle demand without county clerk capacity
• Maryland — Montgomery County and Prince George's County libraries served tens of thousands of applicants annually
• New York — Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester county library systems had robust acceptance programs
• Illinois — Chicago suburban library districts handled significant overflow from the metro area
• Virginia — Northern Virginia library branches near DC were among the highest-volume locations in the country

Rural states where libraries were the only nearby acceptance facility — particularly in the Midwest and Mountain West — also faced severe disruption, with some residents now living 90+ minutes from the nearest authorized location.

Your Alternatives: The Four Types of Facilities That Still Accept Applications

There are four types of facilities that can accept your passport application. Each has different policies on appointments, walk-ins, photos, and fees.

1. USPS Post Offices (Most Common Alternative)

The U.S. Postal Service operates the largest network of passport acceptance facilities in the country, with roughly 4,800 locations accepting applications. Most require appointments, which you can book at passportappointment.usps.com. Some high-volume post offices offer dedicated passport hours; others handle passports during normal window hours.

Typical photo fee: $15–$18 on-site. Walk-ins: About 30% of USPS locations accept walk-ins, but availability varies day to day. Call ahead. Payment: The acceptance fee ($35) must be paid by check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State; the USPS passport photo fee is separate and can typically be paid by card.

2. County Clerk and Recorder Offices

Many county clerk, county recorder, and register of deeds offices are authorized passport acceptance facilities. These often have more available appointment slots than USPS locations and sometimes offer faster scheduling. They may also provide a more guided experience for first-time applicants.

Important difference: County clerk policies vary enormously by county. Some are appointment-only weeks out; a few accept walk-ins. Hours are typically limited to standard business hours Monday–Friday. Use our county finder tool to check your specific county.

3. City Hall and Municipal Offices

Many city, town, and village offices — particularly in New England where the town clerk is the primary local government official — are authorized acceptance facilities. These locations often have shorter wait times than post offices because fewer people know about them. Town clerks in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are a particularly good option following the library closures.

4. Other Authorized Facilities

Some travel agencies, AAA offices, and court clerk offices are also authorized. AAA locations that offer travel services often accept passport applications for members and sometimes non-members. Check the State Department's acceptance facility search at iafdb.travel.state.gov — but note that it does not filter by walk-in availability or show real-time scheduling, which is why we built our own tool.

How to Find the Nearest Open Alternative Right Now

Here is the fastest approach to finding an appointment following the library closures:

State-by-State: What Changed and What to Do

Below is a summary of the impact by state and the best alternative facility type to seek in each region. For county-level detail, use our county finder.

Can I Still Use a Library for Passport Photos?

Yes — many libraries will continue to offer passport photo services even though they can no longer accept applications. The two services are separate. A library can take a compliant passport photo and charge for it without being an authorized acceptance facility.

However, passport photo quality varies. If you get photos taken at a library and they are rejected at your acceptance facility for not meeting State Department standards (wrong size, wrong background, glasses, shadows, or printed on the wrong paper), you'll need to get new ones on the spot. Bringing a backup set from a professional source like CVS or Walgreens is a good precaution.

What If My Appointment Was Already Cancelled?

If you had a library passport appointment that was cancelled when the program ended, you are not penalized in any way — the State Department does not hold cancellations against applicants. You simply need to rebook at a new location. Your DS-11 form, if you had already completed it, is still valid and can be used at any acceptance facility.

Looking for a Specific County?

Use our county finder to get specific hours, walk-in policies, photo service availability, and direct booking links for acceptance facilities in your county:

Frequently Asked Questions