Passport Acceptance Facilities in Franklin County
Franklin County encompasses Columbus, Ohio's state capital and largest city. The Franklin County Auditor's office at 373 S High St in downtown Columbus handles passport acceptance services with on-site photo service available.
Franklin County Auditor's passport operation is well-organized and offers online appointment booking. Walk-in availability is limited — calling ahead on the morning you plan to visit gives you the most accurate picture of whether walk-ins are being taken that day.
Franklin County Auditor — Passport Services
Limited — call ahead
Yes — on-site $15
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
franklin-county30 book / franklin-county00 child
Franklin5
USPS Columbus Main Post Office
Yes — limited morning walk-ins
Yes — $18
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm
Franklin5 (card accepted)
What to Bring to Your Franklin County Appointment
Columbus is a major Midwest hub for passport applications. The library closure impact was moderate in Franklin County — the Columbus Metropolitan Library system had several active passport locations before February 2026. USPS locations throughout Columbus have absorbed much of that volume.
- 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 Columbus.
- Check or money order: franklin-county30 (passport book) payable to "U.S. Department of State"For children under 16: franklin-county00. Add Franklin0 for a passport card. No cash accepted for the State Dept fee.
- Payment for Franklin5 acceptance fee (to the facility — many accept debit/credit)
Walk-In Passport Applications in Franklin County
Walk-in availability at the Franklin County Auditor — Passport Services: Limited — call ahead. For USPS in Franklin County: Yes — limited morning walk-ins. 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County
On-site passport photo services at Franklin County Auditor — Passport Services: Yes — on-site $15. The nearby USPS location offers on-site photos for $18. Other options near Columbus: CVS Pharmacy (franklin-county6.99), Walgreens (franklin-county6.99), Walmart Photo Center (373 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215.44), FedEx Office (franklin-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 — Franklin County
Franklin County Auditor — Passport Services: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. The USPS location listed above: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm. 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 Franklin 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 (+Franklin County Auditor — Passport Services0) 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 Ohio were removed from the State Department's acceptance facility program. The two options above — the Franklin County Auditor — Passport Services and the USPS location — are your primary alternatives in Franklin County. See our library alternatives guide for more detail.