The Free Library of Philadelphia opened its first Passport Acceptance Facility at the Northeast Regional Library in June 2017. Now, almost one year later, we are excited to have accepted over 2,000 passport applications and processed 700 passport photos!

Convenient access to passport services is more important than ever to Pennsylvanians. In accordance with the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, beginning in October 2020, Pennsylvania residents who do not get a new REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identity card will be required to use a passport book or passport card, or other federally approved form of identification, for domestic air travel. Current Pennsylvania drivers’ licenses and ID cards do not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act. In addition, the State Department projected 10 million more passport applications in 2017 and 2018 than in the previous two years. To prepare for this increase, it has been opening more passport agencies and counters.

The Passport Office at Northeast Regional Library offers passport processing for new U.S. passports or passport cards, passport photographs, and expedited service. The Passport Office is on the first floor of the library, located at 2228 Cottman Avenue. More information and details on available hours and applying for a passport can be found on our Passports page.

Recognizing the demand for this service, the Free Library is excited to partner with the Philadelphia Passport Agency for a special one-day passport services event at the South Philadelphia Library, located at 1700 S. Broad Street. On Sunday, June 10, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., first-time passport applicants can visit the South Philadelphia Library to prepare and submit passport applications.

Appointments for this event are strongly recommended; you can submit an appointment request using this form. For guidelines on what to bring with you, visit freelibrary.org/passports. Please note, no passport photographs will be taken at this event. Please come prepared with your own photographs. Photograph requirements are detailed here.