US State Department Hosting Special Passport Acceptance Fairs

With passport wait times stacking up this summer, the U.S. State Department will hold dozens of special passport acceptance fairs across the country in the coming weeks.

The fairs are for first-time customers and children using Form DS-11 to apply. Travelers renewing an existing passport should still complete the process by mail.

Most of the events, which are being held in Post Office buildings, public libraries and city administrative offices, will take place in California and New Jersey while some will be held in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Massachusetts.

Some of the events require an appointment while others are available for walk-ins.

The special fairs come as the State Department has been receiving as many as 500,000 applications per week and is on track to set the record for the highest demand year ever.

The current processing time for passports is between 10 and 13 weeks for routine service while expedited service has a turnaround time of seven to nine weeks.

Travelers can visit the State Department's website for a complete list of upcoming fairs.

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