Knowing the library passport appointment requirements before you arrive saves you a wasted trip — and missing a single document means rescheduling. To apply for a first-time U.S. passport at a library acceptance facility in 2026, you'll need a completed (but unsigned) Form DS-11, original proof of citizenship, a valid photo ID with a photocopy, one compliant 2x2 passport photo, and the correct fees. This complete checklist walks through every passport appointment requirement, the exact fees, what children need, and how to make sure your library passport appointment goes smoothly the first time.
Libraries that double as passport acceptance facilities let you apply close to home instead of driving to a post office or passport agency. But because they act on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, the document rules are strict and identical to any other acceptance facility.
Bring every item below to your library passport appointment. Missing any one usually means you must reschedule:
You must present an original or certified citizenship document. Acceptable options include:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Certified U.S. birth certificate | Must have a raised, embossed, or multicolored seal, full name, date and place of birth, parents' names, and the registrar's signature |
| Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) | For citizens born outside the U.S. |
| Certificate of Naturalization | Original certificate |
| Certificate of Citizenship | Original certificate |
| Previous U.S. passport | Undamaged, fully valid or expired book |
A hospital-issued "souvenir" birth certificate is not accepted — it must be the certified copy from the state or county vital records office.
This trips up first-timers: a library passport appointment requires two separate fees, paid differently:
| Fee | Amount (2026) | Paid To | How to Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee — adult book | ~$130 | U.S. Department of State | Check or money order |
| Application fee — child book (under 16) | ~$100 | U.S. Department of State | Check or money order |
| Book + card (adult) | ~$160 | U.S. Department of State | Check or money order |
| Execution / acceptance fee | $35 per application | The library (acceptance facility) | Often card, cash, or check |
| Passport photo (if taken at library) | ~$5–$15 | The library | Varies |
Make the application-fee check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." The $35 execution fee is collected by the library and can often be paid by card. Always verify the current amounts on the official State Department fee page before your appointment.
Most libraries that accept passports operate by appointment, with limited daily slots, though some offer walk-in windows. To book:
Minors have extra rules. For an applicant under 16 at a library passport appointment:
The whole appointment usually takes 15–30 minutes when your documents are in order.
For a library passport appointment you must bring a completed but unsigned Form DS-11, original proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a valid photo ID plus a photocopy of it, one compliant 2x2 passport photo, and your fees. Applicants under 16 require both parents and proof of the parental relationship.
Yes. Bring Form DS-11 completed but do not sign it. You must sign Form DS-11 in front of the acceptance agent at the library. You can fill it out online and print it single-sided, or complete a paper copy in black ink.
At a library passport appointment you pay two separate fees: the State Department application fee (about $130 for an adult book) by check or money order, and a $35 execution (acceptance) fee per application, which the library collects. Some libraries accept the $35 fee by card; the application fee usually must be a check or money order to the U.S. Department of State.
Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a certified U.S. birth certificate with a raised or multicolored seal, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a previous undamaged U.S. passport. You must bring the original plus a photocopy of the front.
Most libraries that accept passport applications require an appointment, though some offer limited walk-in hours. Book ahead through the library's website or phone line, as slots fill quickly, especially in spring and early summer travel season.
Yes. Applicants under 16 must apply in person with both parents or guardians present, who provide consent. Bring the child's proof of citizenship, the parents' IDs, and evidence of the parental relationship. If only one parent can attend, additional documentation such as Form DS-3053 is required.
Acceptable photo ID includes a valid driver's license, a current U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, a government employee ID, or a U.S. military ID. Bring the original ID and a photocopy of the front and back. A learner's permit may not be accepted on its own.
A typical library passport appointment takes about 15 to 30 minutes if your documents are complete. The agent reviews your DS-11, verifies your citizenship and ID, witnesses your signature, collects fees, and seals the application to mail to the State Department.
The application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State for processing your passport and is paid by check or money order. The execution (acceptance) fee, $35 per application, goes to the acceptance facility, such as the library, for verifying your identity and processing your submission. Both are required for a first-time passport.