How to Get a Passport — The New Way

Last year the U.S. Department of State issued the largest number of passports in its history. Now nearly half of all Americans own one— up from just 5% in 1990! (That’s not a typo.) But many people still don’t know how to get a passport. So in April 2024, the State Department launched a series of monthly “passport acceptance fairs” to help first-time applicants and children obtain a passport more easily. Learn about the fairs— and everything else you need to obtain or renew a U.S. passport— in this article. 

[Update: In September 2024, the State Department launched a new online system for existing passport holders to renew passports easily online.]

Choose the Right Application

Passport applicants fall into one of several categories. They include children under 16, persons aged 16 and 17, and first-time applicants aged 18 or older. The rules vary by age. 

Existing passport holders may be eligible to renew online. If not, they must renew by mail or appear in person at a designated application site. (Children under 16 must always renew in person.) 

Distinct processes apply to people renewing outside the U.S. and individuals who lost their passports.  

You must fill out the appropriate application for your circumstances. The State Department’s Form Wizard  makes it easy to identify and download the correct one. Calculate applicable fees here. 

New Passport Acceptance Fairs

Each month, select post offices, libraries, and local government offices throughout the United States host passport acceptance fairs. These events are primarily intended for first-time applicants and children who can apply using Form DS-11. Check the Form Wizard to see if you’re eligible. (Existing passport holders may be able to renew online.)

Some of the passport acceptance fairs require an appointment, but most do not. New locations are added weekly, so check back periodically if at first you don’t find one you like. If none of the fairs is convenient to you, click here to search for a standard passport acceptance facility by zip code. 

Click here to learn about the proof of citizenship, photo identification, and passport photos you must bring to the fair (or alternate acceptance facility) along with your completed application and payment. 

Current Processing Times

Once you’ve mastered how to get a passport, be prepared to wait. The State Department is currently processing routine passport applications in about 6-8 weeks. Expedited applications are processed in 2-3 weeks for an additional fee of $60. Note that processing times are exclusive of delivery.   

If the expedited time frame still isn’t fast enough for you, click here for a list of locations that can process your application even quicker.

Existing Passport Holders — Renew Early!

American travelers often are surprised to discover that many countries— including most European ones— refuse entry if your passport’s expiration is less than 6 months away. So if your passport is due to expire in 2025 or sooner and you’re planning to travel in the meantime, you may want to renew now.  

Ready to go? Check out my list of packing essentials for overseas travel. And read my articles about how to protect yourself from pickpockets and save money on travel.

Tired of waiting in long lines to show your passport after arriving in the United States from abroad? Learn how to skip the line for FREE!