Passport Acceptance Facilities in Cook County
Cook County encompasses Chicago and nearly 130 suburban municipalities, making it the second most populous county in the United States. The Cook County Clerk at 69 W Washington St and the massive USPS Chicago Main Post Office are the two primary high-volume facilities.
The Chicago Main Post Office at 433 W Harrison St has the longest weekday hours of any passport acceptance post office in Illinois — open until 8pm on weekdays, which is valuable for applicants who cannot leave work during the day. Walk-ins are limited to early morning (before 9am).
Cook County Clerk — Chicago
No — appointment required
Yes — on-site $15
Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm
cook-county30 book / cook-county00 child
Cook5
USPS Chicago Main Post Office
Limited — early morning only
Yes — $18
Mon–Fri 7am–8pm, Sat 7am–5pm
Cook5 (card accepted)
What to Bring to Your Cook County Appointment
Cook County was among the hardest-hit Illinois counties from library closures. The Chicago Public Library and suburban Cook County library systems had an extensive passport acceptance network. The Chicago Regional Passport Agency at the Chicago Federal Center (230 S Dearborn St) handles urgent applications.
- Completed DS-11 form (printed, filled out, NOT signed)Download free at travel.state.gov. Sign only when the agent instructs you at the appointment.
- Certified birth certificate (original) + photocopyMust be issued by a state or county vital records office with raised seal. Hospital birth certificates are NOT accepted.
- Government-issued photo ID (original) + front-and-back photocopy
- Passport photo — 2×2 inch, taken within last 6 monthsYes — on-site $15 on-site at the clerk. Available at the USPS location for $18. Also at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart Photo near Chicago.
- Check or money order: cook-county30 (passport book) payable to "U.S. Department of State"For children under 16: cook-county00. Add Cook0 for a passport card. No cash accepted for the State Dept fee.
- Payment for Cook5 acceptance fee (to the facility — many accept debit/credit)
Walk-In Passport Applications in Cook County
Walk-in availability at the Cook County Clerk — Chicago: No — appointment required. For USPS in Cook County: Limited — early morning only. Walk-in policies change seasonally and day-to-day. Always call the specific location on the morning you intend to visit and ask whether walk-ins are being accepted that day and whether the passport specialist is available. See our walk-in guide for full strategy.
Peak season (March through June) sees the most appointment demand in Cook County. If you're applying during this window, book as early as possible — or consider expanding your search to neighboring counties if local slots are full.
Passport Photos in Cook County
On-site passport photo services at Cook County Clerk — Chicago: Yes — on-site $15. The nearby USPS location offers on-site photos for $18. Other options near Chicago: CVS Pharmacy (cook-county6.99), Walgreens (cook-county6.99), Walmart Photo Center (69 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602.44), FedEx Office (cook-county4.99). Photos must be 2×2 inches, white/off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months, and printed on photo paper. See our complete photo guide.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cook County
Cook County Clerk — Chicago: Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm. The USPS location listed above: Mon–Fri 7am–8pm, Sat 7am–5pm. Hours can change for holidays and staff schedules — always confirm directly with the facility before visiting. Call the facility or check their official website for the most current hours.
Yes — both the county clerk and USPS acceptance facilities in Cook County handle child passport applications. For children under 16, both parents (or one parent with a notarized DS-3053 from the absent parent) must either attend or provide consent. The child must be physically present. See our child passport guide and DS-3053 guide for full details.
If you're traveling within 14 weeks, pay for expedited processing (+Cook County Clerk — Chicago0) when you submit at any local acceptance facility. If you're traveling within 6 weeks, you qualify for an appointment at the nearest regional passport agency — which can process applications same-day or next-day. See our expedited passport guide for the full regional agency list and booking instructions.
As of February 2026, all library passport acceptance locations in Illinois were removed from the State Department's acceptance facility program. The two options above — the Cook County Clerk — Chicago and the USPS location — are your primary alternatives in Cook County. See our library alternatives guide for more detail.