Find a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility
Locate post offices, libraries, and government offices that accept passport applications near you.
Current Fees
First-time applicants pay a $130 application fee plus a $35 execution fee at the acceptance facility, totaling $165. Renewal by mail is $130 for the book; the passport card costs $65 new or $30 to renew, and expedited service adds $60.
View All Fees →Processing Times
Routine processing runs 6–8 weeks; expedited is 2–3 weeks for an additional $60. Actual wait times vary with seasonal demand — check travel.state.gov for current posted times before booking travel.
Check Current Times →How to Apply
First-time applicants must appear in person at an acceptance facility and file Form DS-11. Mail-in applications are not accepted for a first passport.
Application Guide →Select Your State
What is a passport acceptance facility?
A passport acceptance facility is an authorized location that verifies and witnesses U.S. passport applications under 22 CFR Part 51. Acceptance agents check documents, witness your signature on Form DS-11, and forward the completed package to a federal processing center. Passports are issued at one of two State Department facilities: the Philadelphia Passport Center or the Portsmouth Passport Center in New Hampshire.
U.S. Post Offices are the most common type, with roughly 4,800 authorized locations nationwide. Public libraries, county clerks' offices, and some municipal government buildings (city halls, courthouse clerk offices) hold the same acceptance facility authorization. All three types accept DS-11 applications under the same federal framework.
Most USPS locations require appointments; schedule at usps.com/passport. Libraries and county clerks' offices vary: some take walk-ins, others require advance booking. Either way, worth calling ahead.
Many facilities offer on-site passport photos for a separate fee, typically $10–$15.
Documents required for a first-time passport application
Form DS-11 is the application for a first U.S. passport book or card. All documents below must be presented in person at an authorized acceptance facility — you cannot submit a first passport application by mail.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship — certified birth certificate (original or certified copy from a vital records office; not a photocopy), Certificate of Naturalization, or a previously issued U.S. passport
- Valid government-issued photo ID — driver's license, state-issued ID, or military ID. Must not be expired.
- Photocopy of your ID — front and back printed on one side of a single page
- Passport photo — 2×2 inches, color, white or off-white background, taken within 6 months
- Completed Form DS-11 — print and fill it out, but do not sign it before arriving. The acceptance agent witnesses your signature on-site.
- Fees — $130 application fee by check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State," plus a separate $35 execution fee paid to the facility
The pre-signing rule catches people off guard. DS-11 instructions state that signing the form before presenting it to an acceptance agent voids the application — agents will turn you away and you must complete a new form. Sign only when the agent directs you to.
See the full application guide →
Source: U.S. Department of State, Form DS-11 Instructions. Fees current as of 2025 — verify at travel.state.gov before your appointment.