Rare passport fair is coming to Northern CA. Here’s how far you’ll need to drive
Planning to travel? You can apply for a U.S. passport in person at a rare event in Northern California, just in time for California’s Real ID deadline.
A special passport acceptance fair will be held at Kenneth C. Aitken Senior Center in Castro Valley on Friday, May 9, according to a social media post by U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin.
“Stop by to get your application processed, just in time for summer travel,” the Instagram post read.
Passport fairs are also planned at University of California, Irvine, in May and June.
Such events offer a “personalized experience,” especially for adults and children getting their passports for the first time, the U.S. Department of State said on its website.
Here’s what to know:
Why do I need a U.S. 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 was being enforced as of Wednesday, May 7.
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?
An-appointment only passport fair will be held at Kenneth C. Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road in Castro Valley, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
It takes about an hour to drive from Modesto to Castro Valley, while the drive to the Alameda County community is about an hour and a half by car from Sacramento.
What about Southern California passport application events?
Passport fairs will also be held at UC Irvine, 101 Academy Way, Suite 120, in Irvine on Saturday, May 10, and Saturday, June 14.
Both appointment-only events will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It takes about four hours and 20 minutes to drive to Irvine from San Luis Obispo.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, appointments are required at the passport fairs in Castro Valley and Irvine.
To make an appointment at Friday’s event, visit tinyurl.com/ESPassportFair25
“Each time slot is for one passport application appointment,” Swalwell’s office said on the virtual sign-up sheet. “If you are planning to submit applications for multiple individuals (e.g., family members), please book a separate slot for each applicant to ensure adequate time and support.”
The Irvine passport fairs also require appointments, which can be booked at passport.uci.edu.
Who is eligible to get a U.S. passport?
To be eligible, you must be either:
- A U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization
- A qualifying U.S. non-citizen national
What do I need to apply for a passport?
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 processing fees costs?
If you’re age 16 or older and applying for a passport for the first time, you can expect to pay $35 for an acceptance fee, plus 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.
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, you should 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 May 7, 2025 at 10:56 AM with the headline "Rare passport fair is coming to Northern CA. Here’s how far you’ll need to drive."
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