This year, the State Department has been inundated with up to 500,000 applications per week for passports so they are now offering a new way to process your application with Special Passport Acceptance Fairs.
The State Department will venture around the country to host these events in public libraries, city admin offices and recreational centers in New Jersey, California, Florida, Texas, and more throughout July and August, with new events added to the calendar weekly. However, these events are only accessible for new passport applications, so if you need to renew your passport you should follow standard procedure, or use a company that offers expedited passport services.
For those applying for a first-time passport, you can fill out the DS-11 form online, then search the U.S. Department of State’s acceptance facility database for a place to deliver the forms. Go to the location in-person and bring evidence of your citizenship in the form of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, a copy of your ID, and a passport photo, Submit your forms and pay the passport fee to complete the process.
According to Travel and Leisure, it takes 10 to 13 weeks to process a passport, but in emergencies, travelers can request to have their passport expedited.