No appointment needed: Miami hosts one-day U.S. passport event in March
Miami will host a one-day event in March allowing eligible U.S. citizens to apply for a U.S. passport without a prior appointment.
The initiative, led by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, is aimed primarily at people applying for a passport for the first time, including both passport books and passport cards.
The opportunity will be available for only a few hours and at a single location in Miami.
Special passport fair in Miami
There were no passport acceptance fairs in Miami-Dade County in February, although events were held in other parts of Florida.
According to the State Department’s schedule, Miami will host a one-day “special” passport fair in March.
The event will take place at Westchester Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33165.
Date and time: Thursday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Similar events are planned across the country throughout March, including other locations in Florida, though some sites require appointments.
Read more: Skip the office: Miami-Dade brings REAL ID, license services to neighborhoods
Who can attend and how passport fairs work
These “special passport acceptance fairs” are typically held outside regular business hours and are organized by authorized locations such as post offices, clerk of court offices and public libraries.
They are intended for first-time applicants, children and anyone required to submit a passport application in person using Form DS-11.
They are not meant for passport renewals using Form DS-82, which can be completed online or by mail at any time.
Passports are not issued on-site. Acceptance centers collect applications and forward them to the State Department for processing and approval.
Documents required to apply for a U.S. passport
Applicants must bring the following:
- Form DS-11 (do not sign it until instructed by the acceptance agent)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as an original birth certificate or naturalization certificate
- Valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID
- Photocopies of citizenship and identification documents
- A passport-compliant photo
- Payment of fees: $130 application fee for a passport book plus a $35 acceptance fee, for a total of $165
