The Bureau of Consular Affairs announced on 26 February 2026 that passport acceptance facilities around the country will hold hundreds of special acceptance fairs through May to meet soaring demand ahead of the summer travel season. The events—hosted at post offices, libraries and local government offices—allow first-time applicants and families to submit DS-11 applications without appointments, with some sites offering weekend hours. Routine processing currently stands at 4–6 weeks; expedited service is 2–3 weeks for an extra $60.(travel.state.gov)
During the 2025 season the United States issued a record 24 million passports, and officials expect a similar volume this year as pent-up demand, a strong dollar and Paris Olympic travel combine to push applications higher. By staging pop-up fairs, the Department hopes to prevent the bottlenecks seen in early 2024, when average processing times exceeded 10 weeks.
For travelers who would like expert guidance—or who need foreign visas in addition to a new U.S. passport—VisaHQ offers an end-to-end digital platform that walks users through requirements, supplies compliant photos, and provides secure courier delivery to the Department of State. Their specialists can streamline the paperwork so applicants hit acceptance-fair windows with everything in order. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
![State Department launches nationwide Passport Acceptance Fairs to ease spring-summer surge]()
Mobility relevance: Corporate travel managers should remind relocating employees and short-term assignees—especially dependents who need new passports—that early application can avert costly trip changes. HR teams should circulate fair locations and emphasise that fairs process only first-time and child passports; renewals via mail remain fastest for eligible adults.
Applicants attending fairs must bring proof of citizenship, government-issued photo ID and separate fee payments for federal and facility charges. Some venues will offer on-site photo services for a fee.
The Department will post an updated list of fairs each Monday. Consular officials caution that processing clocks start only when an application reaches a passport agency, so applicants should still factor mailing time into travel plans.
During the 2025 season the United States issued a record 24 million passports, and officials expect a similar volume this year as pent-up demand, a strong dollar and Paris Olympic travel combine to push applications higher. By staging pop-up fairs, the Department hopes to prevent the bottlenecks seen in early 2024, when average processing times exceeded 10 weeks.
For travelers who would like expert guidance—or who need foreign visas in addition to a new U.S. passport—VisaHQ offers an end-to-end digital platform that walks users through requirements, supplies compliant photos, and provides secure courier delivery to the Department of State. Their specialists can streamline the paperwork so applicants hit acceptance-fair windows with everything in order. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
Mobility relevance: Corporate travel managers should remind relocating employees and short-term assignees—especially dependents who need new passports—that early application can avert costly trip changes. HR teams should circulate fair locations and emphasise that fairs process only first-time and child passports; renewals via mail remain fastest for eligible adults.
Applicants attending fairs must bring proof of citizenship, government-issued photo ID and separate fee payments for federal and facility charges. Some venues will offer on-site photo services for a fee.
The Department will post an updated list of fairs each Monday. Consular officials caution that processing clocks start only when an application reaches a passport agency, so applicants should still factor mailing time into travel plans.
