Another passport fair is coming to Northern CA. Here’s how far you’ll need to drive
Planning a trip? You can apply for a U.S. passport in person at a rare event in northern California.
A passport acceptance fair will be held in Redwood City, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Such events offer a “personalized experience,” especially for adults and children getting their passports for the first time, the State Department said on its website.
Here’s what to know.
Why do I need a US passport or California Real ID?
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires people to have a federally approved document — such as a passport or a Real ID driver’s license — on hand for domestic plane travel.
California’s Real ID requirement went into effect in May.
You need the special state-issued identification card to board domestic airplane flights, as well as access federal facilities and nuclear power plants, the Department of Homeland Security said on its website.
The law applies to everyone age 18 years or older, according to the federal agency.
When and where is northern California passport fair in 2025?
An appointment-only passport fair will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12 at Redwood City Main Post Office, 1100 Broadway in Redwood City.
The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
It takes less than two hours to drive from Sacramento to Redwood City, according to Google Maps, while the drive from Modesto to the Mateo County community is about an hour and a half by car.
Driving from Merced to Redwood City would take about two hours, Google Maps said.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, you’ll need an appointment to participate in the Redwood City passport fair.
You can book an appointment online at tools.usps.com.
Who is eligible to get a US passport? What do you need to apply?
To be eligible to get a U.S. passport, you must be either:
- A U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization
- A qualifying U.S. noncitizen national
To apply for a passport, you’ll need:
- A valid form of photo identification, such as a current valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID
- A certified copy of your birth certificate, original certificate of naturalization or an old passport
- Passport photo
Passport photos must be color photos taken in the past six months. You can find a full list of photo requirements online at travel.state.gov.
How much do passport processing fees cost?
If you’re age 16 or older and applying for a passport for the first time, you can expect to pay an application fee of $30 for a passport card or $130 for a passport book, according to the State Department.
The application fee for a passport card and book is $160.
In all cases, you’ll also need to pay an pay $35 for an acceptance fee, plus
Children under 16 must pay $35 for an acceptance fee, plus $15 for a passport card, $100 for a passport book or $115 for both.
What’s the price to renew my passport?
If you’re 16 or older, you can renew your passport by mail or online for $30 for a passport card, $130 for a passport book or $160 for both.
How quickly can I get my passport?
According to the U.S. State Department’s website, it can take about four to six weeks to process your passport application — or two to three weeks for expedited service. That doesn’t include mailing times.
If you need a passport for “urgent travel in less than two weeks,” the federal agency said, make an appointment at a passport agency or center.
You can use the Online Passport Status System to check your application status if you applied by mail or in person,” the federal agency said.
Call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 877-487-2778 for more information.
You can find application forms, instructions and information about fees online at usps.com/passport or travel.state.gov/passport.
This story was originally published August 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
