Passport Acceptance Facilities in Wake County
Wake County is home to Raleigh, North Carolina's state capital, and has one of the highest passport application volumes in the state. The Wake County Register of Deeds at 301 S McDowell St is the primary county-level acceptance facility and processes passport applications throughout the week.
The Register of Deeds office is located in downtown Raleigh and offers passport services during standard business hours. Online appointment booking is available through the county website. Photo services are available on-site at $15.
Wake County Register of Deeds
Limited (call ahead)
Yes — on-site $15
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
wake-county30 book / wake-county00 child
Wake5
USPS Raleigh Main Post Office
Yes — early morning
Yes — $18
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–1pm
Wake5 (card accepted)
What to Bring to Your Wake County Appointment
Bring your completed DS-11 form, original certified birth certificate plus photocopy, a valid government-issued photo ID plus copy, a 2×2 passport photo, and payment. The State Department fee must be paid by check or money order made out to 'U.S. Department of State.' The $35 acceptance fee can be paid by card at both the Register of Deeds and the USPS location.
- 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 Raleigh.
- Check or money order: wake-county30 (passport book) payable to "U.S. Department of State"For children under 16: wake-county00. Add Wake0 for a passport card. No cash accepted for the State Dept fee.
- Payment for Wake5 acceptance fee (to the facility — many accept debit/credit)
Walk-In Passport Applications in Wake County
Walk-in availability at the Wake County Register of Deeds: Limited (call ahead). For USPS in Wake County: Yes — early morning. 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 Wake 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 Wake County
On-site passport photo services at Wake County Register of Deeds: Yes — on-site $15. The nearby USPS location offers on-site photos for $18. Other options near Raleigh: CVS Pharmacy (wake-county6.99), Walgreens (wake-county6.99), Walmart Photo Center (301 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601.44), FedEx Office (wake-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 — Wake County
Wake County Register of Deeds: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. The USPS location listed above: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–1pm. 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 Wake 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 (+Wake County Register of Deeds0) 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 North Carolina were removed from the State Department's acceptance facility program. The two options above — the Wake County Register of Deeds and the USPS location — are your primary alternatives in Wake County. See our library alternatives guide for more detail.