A rare passport fair is coming to Olympia, just ahead of REAL ID deadline
A rare passport event is coming to Olympia this weekend to help travelers apply for the documentation in person.
According to an announcement from the U.S. Department of State, a special passport acceptance fair will be held Saturday, May 3 in Olympia.
Passport fairs are hosted monthly at different locations nationwide for first-time passport holders who want to apply in person. The Olympia event is the only one scheduled for Washington state in May and June.
The event is intended for first-time passport holders and children. Applicants applying in person need Form DS-11.
Adults who want to renew a passport can submit their application online or by mail at any time with Form DS-82.
Do I need a Real ID if I have a passport?
The federal REAL ID Act will go into effect Wednesday, May 7, so it’s timely to get a passport book and/or a passport card, especially if you’ve had a difficult time getting a DMV appointment.
Passports and passport cards are both REAL ID compliant.
Where is the passport acceptance fair?
The upcoming passport fair in Olympia will be at the Thurston County Auditor’s Office, at 3000 Pacific Ave. SE.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon.
Are appointments required?
Appointments are not required, so you can stop in at any point during the three-hour window, according to the Department of State’s website.
People who want to access passport services during regular hours can make an appointment at the Thurston County Auditor’s Office Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and noon, and then again from 2 to 4 p.m.
You can also search by zip code to find nearby locations that are acceptance facilities for completed passport applications. These facilities include post offices, public libraries, and local government offices.
In Olympia, you can schedule an appointment at the U.S. Post Office at 900 Jefferson St. SE, using their online scheduling tool. It is required to print and fill out an application before arriving at the appointment.
What do you need to apply for a passport?
The fairs are only for those who have never had a passport. So if you need to renew an expired one, you can do so online or by mail, according to the department.
Here is a list of what you need when applying for a new passport book:
A passport application form (which can be used for applying for both a passport book and a passport card)
Evidence of U.S. citizenship that is original or a replacement with a photocopy (birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship)
Physical photo ID with a photocopy (Driver’s license, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, government employee ID, U.S. military or military dependent ID, U.S. permanent resident card, etc.)
Passport photo (color photo taken in the last 6 months) Full list of photo requirements can be found online at travel.state.gov.
Application fee (which is $130 for passport books and $30 for passport cards) and a $35 execution fee. Application fees are $130 for passport books ($100 for children under 16) and $30 for passport cards ($15 for children under 16).
Will I get my passport at the event?
The special passport acceptance fairs do not issue passports.
Instead, they offer routine and expedited processing for applications mailed off, which can take about four to six weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service — not including mailing time.
If you need a passport more quickly than that, it is recommended to make an appointment at a passport agency or center.
Saturday’s special passport acceptance fair is the only one scheduled in Olympia for the next two months, but new events are added each week.
Updates on fairs and additional information are available online at travel.state.gov.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 11:33 AM with the headline "A rare passport fair is coming to Olympia, just ahead of REAL ID deadline."