A Passport Acceptance Facility is a location designated by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, to accept first-time passport applications on behalf of the federal government. Acceptance facilities do not print passports — they verify your identity, witness your application oath, collect fees, and forward the completed Form DS-11 with your documents to one of three State Department processing centers in Tucson, Philadelphia, or New Hampshire.
According to the State Department's iafdb.travel.state.gov directory (the official Acceptance Facility Search), there are approximately 7,400 designated facilities across the United States. Roughly 16 percent of these — about 1,200 — are public libraries. The remaining facilities are post offices (the majority), county clerk of court offices, municipal halls, and some specialized federal facilities.
Libraries became formal acceptance facilities under a 2007 State Department initiative to reduce wait times during the post-9/11 passport surge, when border crossings to Canada and Mexico began requiring passports under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Today, library passport acceptance is a major non-traditional service offering, generating an average of $40,000-$120,000 per year per facility in retained acceptance fees, depending on volume.
The official locator tool is operated by the State Department at iafdb.travel.state.gov (Iafdb = Inland Acceptance Facility Database). The tool returns all categories of acceptance facility, not just libraries, so you must filter manually.
The State Department refreshes the database monthly, but library passport hours change frequently. If the locator shows a facility but the library website does not mention passports, call to verify — some libraries voluntarily discontinue the program due to staff turnover or low demand.
| Application Type | State Department Fee | Acceptance Fee (Library/Post Office) | Total at Library |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult passport book (16+, first-time) | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Adult passport card (16+, first-time) | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Adult book + card combo | $160 | $35 | $195 |
| Minor passport book (under 16) | $100 | $35 | $135 |
| Minor passport card (under 16) | $15 | $35 | $50 |
| Expedited service (book or card) | +$60 | included above | +$60 |
| 1-2 day mail delivery (book only) | +$19.53 | — | +$19.53 |
| Passport photo at library (if offered) | — | $15-$20 | $15-$20 |
Fee schedule reflects 2026 rates as published at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html. The State Department last raised the execution (acceptance) fee from $25 to $35 on December 27, 2023, and that fee has held since. Application fees were last adjusted in 2020.
The application fee must be paid by personal check, certified check, or money order made payable to "U.S. Department of State". Cash, credit card, and debit card are not accepted by State for the application fee. The acceptance fee paid to the library can typically be paid by cash, check, or sometimes credit card (varies by library). Bring both payments — they cannot be combined.
Per Form DS-11 instructions (revised 02-2024), applicants must present:
Hospital records, baptismal certificates, and uncertified copies are not accepted as primary citizenship evidence. If your birth certificate was issued more than 1 year after your birth date, you must also bring secondary evidence (early baby pictures, school records, etc.).
You must provide a single-sided 8.5x11 photocopy of both the front and back of your ID. Most libraries will photocopy for you for $0.10-$0.25 per page, but bring exact change. Photocopies of the citizenship document are also accepted at some facilities — ask in advance.
A 2x2 inch color photo taken within 6 months, against a plain white or off-white background, with neutral facial expression, no glasses, and no head covering (religious exceptions allowed with statement). The State Department's Photo Tool at travel.state.gov tests your photo for compliance before submission. Photos at a library cost $15-$20 typically; CVS, Walgreens, FedEx, and AAA also offer compliant photos for $13-$17.
A typical library passport acceptance appointment lasts 15-30 minutes per applicant. Family appointments (e.g., two parents and two minors) can run 60-90 minutes — book accordingly.
The Rodriguez family — two parents (renewing first-time after letting old card expire 20 years ago), one 12-year-old, one 8-year-old — books a single 90-minute slot at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Main location in Charlotte, NC. Documents needed: 4 birth certificates, 2 parental IDs (each child's parents must be present or notarized DS-3053 from absent parent), 4 passport photos. Fees:
Two separate checks to State Department ($130 + $130 + $100 + $100 = $460), one check or cash for library acceptance fees ($35 x 4 = $140), and $60 cash for photos.
| Library | City | Passport Hours | Appointment Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Public Library Central | Brooklyn, NY | Tue-Thu 10am-3pm | Yes, online portal |
| Chicago Public Library Harold Washington | Chicago, IL | Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat 9am-1pm | Walk-in until quota met |
| Los Angeles Central Library | Los Angeles, CA | Tue-Sat 10am-4pm | Yes, by phone |
| Dallas Public Library J. Erik Jonsson Central | Dallas, TX | Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-2pm | Yes, online |
| Boston Public Library Copley | Boston, MA | Tue-Thu 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-2pm | Yes, online |
| Cleveland Public Library Main | Cleveland, OH | Mon-Thu 10am-3pm | Walk-in |
| Phoenix Burton Barr Library | Phoenix, AZ | Tue-Sat 10am-3pm | Yes, online |
| Seattle Central Library | Seattle, WA | Mon, Wed, Fri 11am-3pm | Yes, by phone |
| Atlanta Fulton Public Library Central | Atlanta, GA | Tue-Thu 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-1pm | Walk-in (limited slots) |
| Free Library of Philadelphia Parkway Central | Philadelphia, PA | Mon-Fri 9am-3pm | Yes, online |
Hours change seasonally. Many libraries reduce passport hours during summer staffing constraints and increase them January-April when tax season demand overlaps. Always verify on the library's website within 48 hours of your appointment.
If you need a passport within 14 calendar days for confirmed international travel (or 28 days if you also need a foreign visa), book directly with a Regional Passport Agency at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html. There are 24 agencies across the U.S. as of 2026. Agency appointments became extremely competitive after 2022 backlog peaks; check daily at 5 a.m. ET for new slot releases.
Both parents/legal guardians must appear in person with the child, or one parent with a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) from the absent parent. If only one parent has sole legal custody, that parent must bring a court order or death certificate. Minor passports are valid 5 years and cannot be renewed by mail — every renewal is a fresh DS-11 application.
Use Form DS-11 (not DS-82) and submit Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport) along with the application. The DS-64 can be submitted online before your library appointment to expedite processing.
If your current name differs from your citizenship document, bring the certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Libraries accept these as evidence of legal name change at acceptance — no separate DS-5504 required if applying for a new passport.
Damaged passports cannot be renewed by mail. Apply with Form DS-11 at any acceptance facility, including a library, and surrender the damaged book.
Sarah, a freelance writer in Denver, needs a passport book for a trip to Italy in 9 weeks. She compares her options:
Sarah picks Option A because her library was closer and offered Saturday appointments. The $80 saved versus expedite is meaningful for a freelancer's budget, and 1-3 weeks of cushion is acceptable for non-emergency travel.
No. Only libraries officially designated as Passport Acceptance Facilities by the U.S. State Department can execute passport applications. Approximately 7,400 facilities nationwide are designated, and about 1,200 of these are public libraries. Use the iafdb.travel.state.gov locator to find designated libraries near you.
As of 2026, a new adult passport book costs $130 for the application fee paid to the State Department by check or money order, plus a $35 acceptance fee paid to the library. Adult passport cards cost $30 plus the $35 acceptance fee. Minor passport books are $100 plus $35. Photos at the library typically cost $15-$20 additional if offered.
No. Passport renewals (Form DS-82) are typically mailed directly to the State Department without an in-person appointment, because identity has already been verified. Libraries only handle first-time applications, applications for minors, and applications where the previous passport was lost, stolen, or expired more than 15 years ago.
Most library passport acceptance facilities require appointments because each application takes 15-30 minutes and the librarian must be a certified Acceptance Agent. A few libraries accept walk-ins during posted hours. Call ahead or check the library's website. The State Department locator shows hours but not appointment policy.
Bring: (1) Completed but unsigned Form DS-11, (2) Original proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate with raised seal, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), (3) Original photo ID (driver's license, state ID, military ID), (4) A photocopy of the photo ID front and back, (5) A passport photo (2x2 inches, taken within 6 months), (6) Two payments: one to U.S. Department of State, one to the library.
Routine processing as of 2026 takes 6-8 weeks from the date the application is received at a State Department processing center. Expedited service ($60 additional) takes 2-3 weeks. Library acceptance does not speed up processing — it only verifies your identity and forwards your documents.
Yes. Minors under 16 must apply in person with both parents/guardians present, or one parent with a notarized DS-3053 form from the absent parent. Children's passports are valid 5 years. Minors 16-17 must also apply in person but parental consent is not required, though strongly recommended.
Use iafdb.travel.state.gov with a broader radius (50 or 100 miles), check post offices and clerk of court offices (also acceptance facilities), or visit a Regional Passport Agency if you need expedited service within 14 days for international travel. Some library systems have multiple branch passport facilities not all listed individually.
The library mails it. The Acceptance Agent seals all originals in an official State Department envelope and ships via USPS Priority Mail, typically the same business day. You receive a copy of the application form and the USPS tracking number.
Yes. Same-sex parents listed on the child's birth certificate or named in a court adoption decree have equal rights as applicants under State Department policy. Bring the birth certificate or adoption order. The DS-3053 process is identical for same-sex parents who cannot both attend.