The U.S. Department of State has just announced an expanded series of special passport fairs scheduled to take place across the country, offering more opportunities for travelers who need to apply in person.
These newly published event dates, which run through March, are designed to help applicants who are either under the age of 16 or are applying for a passport for the first time.
The passport fairs will be held in various states across the country, from California to New Jersey, Texas, Florida and other regions. Some locations require an appointment, while others offer walk-in services, making it easier for travelers to find a convenient option.
These passport fairs are typically held in community spaces such as libraries, civic centers and local government buildings, making them accessible to a broad range of applicants. The full list of dates and locations is available on the State Department's website.
Applicants can choose between routine and expedited services at these fairs. Routine processing takes about four to six weeks, while expedited service can speed up the process to just two to three weeks, although it requires an additional $60 fee.
In addition to the passport fairs, travelers renewing their passports may now do so through a convenient online process, which was fully implemented late last year. To be eligible for online renewal, applicants must be at least 25 years old, reside in a U.S. state or territory, have a passport that expired less than five years ago, and have their previous passport on hand. Routine processing is the only option available for online renewals.
However, those wishing to change their name, sex, date of birth, or place of birth must apply through the traditional in-person route, Travel + Leisure reported.
The announcement of these new in-person passport fairs comes at a time when the U.S. Department of State has suspended processing for passport applications that select "X" as a gender.
This change follows a recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which limited government recognition of gender to male and female options. Prior to this, the State Department had allowed individuals to choose “X” as a gender option as an alternative to “male” and “female” on passport applications.
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