Did you know that September is Passport Awareness Month? RushMyPassport is excited to join the nationwide celebration. This dedicated month serves as a reminder of the importance of passport readiness for travelers. RushMyPassport is committed to helping individuals stay travel-ready so they can be prepared for where the world takes them.
What is Passport Awareness Month?
Passport Awareness Month aims to promote awareness and understanding of passport requirements and the benefits of having a valid passport. In 2023, this initiative is more important than ever because of ongoing passport delays and extended processing times. As a registered participant in the U.S. Department of State Hand-Carry Program through Expedited Travel LLC, RushMyPassport actively participates in this initiative to help travelers with the technology, tools, and assistance they need to breeze through the passport application process.
In honor of Passport Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of State hosts passport fairs to encourage Americans to get their passports. Most passport fairs are designed for new first-time passport applicants, including children. Since passport renewals can be done by mail, you do not need to attend a passport fair to renew your passport unless it is damaged, or expired over 15 years. If you are unable to make it to one of the in-person passport fairs, you are still able to get your new passport quickly. Expedited passport applications can be completed through RushMyPassport or with your local FedEx Office.
Why is Passport Awareness Month Important?
For international travel, a passport is essential. If you’re planning a trip abroad in the next 8 months, it’s wise to apply for one immediately. While standard processing typically takes 10-13 weeks, faster options are available. Choosing to expedite through the U.S. Department of State reduces the wait to 7-9 weeks. Alternatively, passport expediting companies can streamline this further, offering a turnaround as quick as 1-2 weeks while also avoiding delays by reviewing your application for common mistakes.
It’s crucial to research visa requirements for your intended destination before departure. Acquiring some visas can span several weeks, so starting early or opting for expedited services is recommended. For those already in possession of a passport, ensure it has a minimum of six months’ validity beyond your intended return date. If it’s set to expire within that six-month window, it’s advisable to renew it now.
How Can RushMyPassport Help?
- Expedited Passport Services: RushMyPassport continues to offer expedited passport processing with 1-week, 2-week, 7-9-week, and 10-13-week service options available for all U.S. Passport types. This helps travelers obtain their passports swiftly and by U.S. Department of State regulations.
- Online Application Assistance: The company provides an easy-to-use online platform that guides applicants through the passport application process step by step with detailed instructions, reducing errors and simplifying the overall experience.
- Dedicated Customer Support: RushMyPassport’s team of expert passport advisors is there to help every step of the way. This allows applicants to get assistance with any questions or concerns about the passport application process, and support is available via phone, email, or chat.
- Educational Resources: The company publishes informative articles, blog posts, and social media content on passport-related topics, such as passport renewals, child passports, travel restrictions, and passport validity rules. These resources are designed to educate further and inform travelers.
- Passport Photo Compliance Tools: Simplify the passport photo process with convenient tools like the Passport Photo Creator app or by visiting a nearby FedEx Office or AAA location. These resources enable applicants to swiftly capture an ideal passport photo that adheres to government requirements.
Upcoming Passport Fairs
The list below is provided by the U.S. Department of State website. New events are added weekly so be sure to check out their page for the latest updates. Using the Acceptance Facility Search Tool, you can also locate a facility near you.
September 2023 Events
| Location | City | State | Date | Time | Appointments Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verona Town Library (17 Gould St.) | Verona | NJ | Tues, Sept 5 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| North Plainfield Library (6 Rockview Ave.) | North Plainfield | NJ | Wed, Sept 6 | 4pm-7pm | Yes |
| West Orange Park and Ride (560 Northfield Ave.) | West Orange | NJ | Wed, Sept 6 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Belleville Senior Center (125 Franklin Ave.) | Belleville | NJ | Thurs, Sept 7 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Totowa Public Library (537 Totowa Rd. at Cherba Place) | Totowa | NJ | Thurs, Sept 7 | 5pm-7pm | No |
| Rancho Mirage Post Office | Rancho Mirage | CA | Sat, Sept 9 | 9am-1pm | No |
| Livingston Town Library (10 Robert H. Harp Dr.) | Livingston | NJ | Sat, Sept 9 | 10am-1pm | Yes |
| SIU-Edwardsville (7005 University Dr.) | Edwardsville | IL | Tues, Sept 12 | 9am-4pm | No |
| Hawthorne Municipal Building (445 Lafayette Ave.) | Hawthorne | NJ | Tues, Sept 12 | 10am-1pm | No |
| Verona Town Library (17 Gould St.) | Verona | NJ | Tues, Sept 12 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Peapack & Gladstone Library (Peapack & Gladstone Municipal Complex – School St.) | Peapack | NJ | Wed, Sept 13 | 4pm-7pm | Yes |
| West Caldwell Town Library (30 Clinton St.) | West Caldwell | NJ | Wed, Sept 13 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Bloomingdale Municipal Building (101 Hamburg Turnpike) | Bloomingdale | NJ | Thurs, Sept 14 | 5pm-7pm | No |
| Little Falls Municipal Building (225 Main St.) | Little Falls | NJ | Thurs, Sept 14 | 10am-1pm | No |
| Millburn Public Library (200 Glen Ave.) | Millburn | NJ | Thurs, Sept 14 | 9:30am-3:30pm | Yes |
| Edwardsville Public Library (112 S. Kansas St.) | Edwardsville | IL | Fri, Sept 15 | 9am-4pm | No |
| Town of Gypsum | Gypsum | CO | Sat, Sept 16 | 9am-2:30pm | Yes |
| Passaic County Clerk’s Satellite Office (1237 Ringwood Ave.) | Haskell | NJ | Sat, Sept 16 | 9am-12pm | No |
| Passaic County Clerk’s Office – Admin bldg. (401 Grand St. Room 130) | Paterson | NJ | Sat, Sept 16 | 9am-12pm | No |
| West Orange Park and Ride (560 Northfield Ave.) | West Orange | NJ | Sat, Sept 16 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Acton Post Office | Granbury | TX | Sat, Sept 16 | 9am-4pm | No |
| Kaskaskia College (27210 College Rd) | Centralia | IL | Tues, Sept 19 | 9am-4pm | No |
| Verona Town Library (17 Gould St.) | Verona | NJ | Tues, Sept 19 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| McKendree University (400 N. Alton St) | Lebanon | IL | Wed, Sept 20 | 9am-4pm | No |
| Haledon Municipal Building (510 Belmont Ave. 3rd floor) | Haledon | NJ | Wed, Sept 20 | 5pm-7pm | No |
| Somerville Library (35 West End Ave.) | Somerville | NJ | Wed, Sept 20 | 4pm-7pm | Yes |
| West Orange Park and Ride (560 Northfield Ave.) | West Orange | NJ | Wed, Sept 20 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| SW Illinois College (2500 Carlyle Ave.) | Belleville | IL | Thurs, Sept 21 | 9am-4pm | No |
| Livingston Town Hall (357 S. Livingston Ave.) | Livingston | NJ | Thurs, Sept 21 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Nutley Parks & Recreation Center (44 Park Ave.) | Nutley | NJ | Fri, Sept 22 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Monmouth University (400 Cedar Ave.) | West Long Branch | NJ | Fri, Sept 22 | 9:30am-4:30pm | No |
| West Caldwell Town Library (30 Clinton St.) | West Caldwell | NJ | Sat, Sept 23 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Shaker Heights Public Library | Shaker Heights | OH | Tues, Sept 26 | 11am-7pm | No |
| North Haledon Municipal Building (103 Overlook Ave.) | North Haledon | NJ | Tues, Sept 26 | 10am-1pm | No |
| Verona Town Library (17 Gould St.) | Verona | NJ | Tues, Sept 26 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Warren Township Library (42 Mountain Blvd.) | Warren | NJ | Wed, Sept 27 | 4pm-7pm | Yes |
| Passaic County Camp Hope (1792 Union Valley Rd.) | West Milford | NJ | Wed, Sept 27 | 10am-1pm | No |
| Clifton Municipal Building (900 Clifton Ave., 1st flr conference room) | Clifton | NJ | Thurs, Sept 28 | 10am-1pm | No |
| Glen Ridge Library (240 Ridgewood Ave.) | Glen Ridge | NJ | Thurs, Sept 28 | 9am-3pm | Yes |
| Berkeley College Sponsored by the Alfred H. Bauman Public Library (44 Rifle Camp Rd, Community Hall) | Woodland Park | NJ | Thurs, Sept 28 | 5pm-7pm | No |
| Pima Community College East Campus | Tucson | AZ | Sat, Sept 30 | 8:30am-12:30pm | Yes |
| Georgia State University – Clarkston Campus | Clarkston | GA | Sat, Sept 30 | 10am-3pm | No |