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U.S. Passport Acceptance Fairs: August and September 2025

A weekend passport acceptance fair shows a staffed check-in desk and stanchions, illustrating how passport acceptance fairs help first-time applicants.
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5 min read

The U.S. State Department has posted new dates for Special Passport Acceptance Fairs aimed at first-time adult applicants and children who must apply in person. Most events run on evenings or weekends, many require appointments, and a large share are hosted by county clerks across New Jersey, with additional pop-ups in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Texas. Adults eligible to renew can use Form DS-82 online or by mail.

Key Points

  • Why it matters: Added evening and weekend access should ease first-time application bottlenecks before fall travel.
  • Travel impact: Routine processing runs 6 to 8 weeks, expedited 2 to 3 weeks, so plan ahead for international trips.
  • What's next: More than two dozen fairs are set for September, still concentrated in New Jersey with select dates nationwide.
  • Many fairs require appointments, though a few allow walk-ins.
  • Urgent travel in under two weeks requires an appointment at one of 26 passport agencies or centers.

Snapshot

These special events are for first-time adult applicants and children under 16 applying with Form DS-11. Adults who qualify to renew should use Form DS-82, available online for eligible citizens or by mail. Acceptance facilities offer routine or expedited service only; they do not print passports on site. Current posted times are 6 to 8 weeks for routine processing, and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service, plus mailing time. Travelers with trips inside two weeks should book an appointment at a regional passport agency or center.

Background

Form DS-11 is required for first-time adult applicants, for children under 16, and for cases where renewal is not permitted, such as lost, stolen, or very old passports. By contrast, Form DS-82 supports most adult renewals and now includes a widely available online option for eligible travelers, a shift meant to reduce in-person backlogs. Acceptance facilities include post offices, clerk offices, and libraries, and they may charge a separate facility acceptance fee on top of application and expedite fees. Events are typically scheduled outside business hours to improve access for families. If you prefer broader visa planning after you have your passport, see our guide Visa Requirements for U.S. Travelers: A Global Guide.

Latest Developments

August 2025 passport acceptance fairs, with heavy New Jersey coverage

The remaining August calendar is led by county-clerk pop-ups across New Jersey, plus select sites elsewhere. Examples include Hillsdale, New Jersey on August 20; North Haledon and Gladstone, Michigan on August 21; Gulf Shores, Alabama, Clarkston, Georgia, and Palm Harbor, Florida on August 23; Monticello, New York on August 24; Woodcliff Lake and West Milford, New Jersey on August 26; Hawthorne and Somerville, New Jersey on August 27; Clifton and Little Falls, New Jersey on August 28; and Phoenix, Arizona and Somerville, New Jersey on August 30. Several of these allow walk-ins, while others require booking in advance.

September 2025 schedule expands beyond New Jersey

September features more than two dozen events, most hosted by Passaic and Essex County clerks around New Jersey, with additional opportunities nationwide. Highlights include Glen Ellyn, Illinois on September 6; Scottsdale, Arizona on September 13; Newark, New Jersey on September 13; Lomita, California on September 23; and multiple Texas dates, including Addison on September 20, Beaumont on September 27, and Aubrey on September 27. Appointment rules vary by host, and some locations provide limited weekend availability.

Eligibility, fees, and speed: what to expect

At any fair, you must bring a completed but unsigned DS-11, evidence of citizenship, acceptable ID, a compliant photo, and payment. Facilities can accept routine or expedited applications only. The expedite add-on is $60, with processing posted at 2 to 3 weeks, while routine runs 6 to 8 weeks. Urgent departures within about two weeks should be handled at a passport agency or center, which requires proof of imminent travel and an appointment. Adults who qualify should avoid lines entirely by using passport renewal online or by mail. For broader Schengen-area border changes this fall, see EU Entry Exit System Starts Oct. 12; ETIAS Delayed to 2026.

Analysis

The State Department is leaning on county clerks and acceptance facilities to absorb first-time demand ahead of late-year holiday peaks. New Jersey's dense schedule suggests strong local partnerships and available staffing, while targeted dates in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Texas broaden access without diluting volume where turnout is proven. The main planning variable remains time. Routine processing at 6 to 8 weeks, with expedited at 2 to 3 weeks plus mailing, means many fall travelers will miss their window if they wait for October. The revived passport renewal online tool is a notable pressure valve for qualified adults, trimming in-person queues so clerks can focus on families and first-timers. If your trip is looming inside two weeks, the fairs are not a shortcut; you will need a regional agency appointment with proof of imminent travel. Expect more dates to populate the September list as clerks confirm rooms and staff.

Final Thoughts

If you are a first-time applicant or applying for a child, these evening and weekend events can save you time and travel. Check whether your chosen site needs an appointment, bring complete paperwork, and decide in advance whether to pay for expedited processing. Adults who are eligible to renew should strongly consider passport renewal online to skip the line. With September adding more locations nationwide, now is the moment to map your nearest option and lock a slot at one of the State Department's passport acceptance fairs.

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