4 of the 12 facilities here have a listing note that says walk-in or no appointment needed; 4 say appointments are required. Notes are copied from the State Department listing; call ahead to confirm before you go.
Mix of locations: 10 post offices and 2 public libraries.
All 12 locations
Walk-in locations are listed first, then by ZIP code. “Walk-in listed” means the State Department listing says walk-in service or no appointment required; “Appointment listed” means it says appointments are required (some list both, for example walk-in on certain days). Hours change, so call ahead.
-
Walk-in listed
Hcls - East Columbia Branch Library
6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
Listing note: “Monday-Thursday: 1:00pm - 7:00pm + Saturday 10:00am - 3:00pm No Appointment Necessary”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Walk-in listed
USPS Columbia Main Post Office
6801 Oak Hall Lane, Columbia, MD 21045
Listing note: “No Appointment Necessary - Mon-Fri (8:00am -4:00pm) Sat 8:00am - 3:00pm”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Walk-in listed
Hcls Glenwood Branch Library
2350 State Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723
Listing note: “Monday-Thursday: 3:00pm - 7:00pm + Saturday 10:00am - 3:00pm No Appointment Necessary.”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Walk-in listed
West Friendship Post Office
12800 State Route 144, West Friendship, MD 21794
Listing note: “No appointments necessary. Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm; Saturday 9:00am - 12:00pm”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Appointment listed
USPS Annapolis Junction Post Office
10820 Guilford Rd, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
Listing note: “Mon - Fri 10:00am - 3:00pm. By Appointment Only.”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
USPS Fulton Post Office
11831 Scaggsville Road, Fulton, MD 20759
Listing note: “By Appt Only. Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm.”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Appointment listed
USPS Ellicott City Post Office
3375 Ellicott Center Drive, Ellicot City, MD 21043
Listing note: “By Appointment Only 10:00AM - 3:00pm”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Appointment listed
USPS Elkridge Post Office
6655 Santa Barbara Road, Elkridge, MD 21075
Listing note: “By Appointment only Mon-Fri 9:00am-3:45pm”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Appointment listed
USPS Simpsonville Post Office
10400 Shaker Drive, Simpsonville, MD 21150
Listing note: “By Appointment only Monday-Friday 9:00AM - 3:00PM”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Glenelg Post Office
3900 Ten Oaks Road, Glenelg, MD 21737
Listing note: “Monday - Friday 8:00am - 3:30pm; Saturday 8:30am - 11:00am”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
USPS Glenwood Post Office
3000 Route 97, Glenwood, MD 21738
Listing note: “By Appt. Only. Mon-Fri 8:30am - 2:30pm”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
USPS Lisbon - Cooksville Post Office
1280 Hopkins Alley, Lisbon, MD 21765
Listing note: “By Appt Only. Mon-Fri 8:00am-3:30pm”
Listed email: [email protected]
Nearest passport agency (urgent travel)
Acceptance facilities in Howard County, MD send applications to the State Department; they can't print a passport. If you travel internationally within 14 days, you need an appointment at a passport agency or center, with proof of travel. The closest to Howard County, MD:
Washington Passport Agency about 24 miles away (straight line)
600 19th Street, N.W., First Floor, Sidewalk Level, Washington, DC 20006
Official page updated March 22, 2026. Official agency page
Philadelphia Passport Agency about 106 miles away (straight line)
Robert N.C. Nix Federal Building, 9th and Chestnut Street, 9th Street Entrance, Suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Official page updated October 22, 2026. Official agency page
Distances are straight-line from the average location of the facilities on this page. Appointments are free; book through the State Department. See all passport agencies and the urgent-travel rules.
Passport fees
At an acceptance facility you pay two separate fees: the application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State (check or money order), and the $35 execution (acceptance) fee goes to the facility itself. Ask the facility which payment types it accepts.
Applying in person (DS-11)
Application fee (to State Dept) + acceptance fee (to facility)- Adult (16+) first-time, passport book (DS-11)$130to State Dept+$35to facility
- Adult first-time, passport card (DS-11)$30to State Dept+$35to facility
- Adult first-time, book + card (DS-11)$160to State Dept+$35to facility
- Under 16, passport book (DS-11)$100to State Dept+$35to facility
- Under 16, passport card (DS-11)$15to State Dept+$35to facility
- Under 16, book + card (DS-11)$115to State Dept+$35to facility
| Optional add-ons | Fee |
|---|---|
| Expedited service | $60 |
| 1-3 day return delivery (book only) | $26.87 |
| File search | $150 |
Renewing instead? (no acceptance fee, not done at these locations)
| Renewal | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult renewal by mail, book (DS-82) | $130 |
| Adult renewal by mail, card (DS-82) | $30 |
| Adult renewal by mail, book + card (DS-82) | $160 |
Fees from the State Department fees page and fee chart (PDF), checked October 27, 2026.
What to bring
Apply in person with Form DS-11 if this is your first U.S. passport, if you are under 16, if your most recent passport was lost, stolen or damaged, if it was issued more than 15 years ago, or if it was issued when you were under 16.
- Form DS-11, printed single-sided and not signed. Sign it only when the acceptance agent tells you to.
- Original (physical, not digital) evidence of U.S. citizenship, such as a U.S. birth certificate, a full-validity undamaged U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, plus a photocopy.
- A physical photo ID such as a fully valid driver's license, plus a photocopy of the front and back. If your ID is from a different state than the one you apply in, bring a second photo ID.
- One passport photo that meets the photo requirements.
- The two fee payments: the application fee to the U.S. Department of State and the $35 acceptance fee to the facility.
Photocopies must be on 8.5 x 11 inch paper, single-sided.
Sources: Apply for your adult passport, citizenship evidence, photo ID requirements.
Passport photo rules
- 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm); head between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head.
- One color photo taken in the last 6 months, on a white or off-white background.
- No filters, edits or retouching.
- No eyeglasses, sunglasses or tinted glasses, unless you include a signed doctor's note for a medical reason.
- No hats or head coverings unless worn daily for religious reasons (signed statement) or medical reasons (signed doctor's statement).
- No uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage; remove anything covering your face unless for documented religious or medical reasons.
- Face the camera with a neutral expression (a closed-mouth smile is fine), both eyes open and visible.
Source: State Department photo requirements.
How long it takes
| Routine | 4 to 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| Expedited (+$60) | 2 to 3 weeks |
Processing times do not include mailing time, which can add up to 2 weeks each way.
Traveling soon? If you travel internationally within 14 days (or need a foreign visa within 28 days), you need an appointment at a passport agency or center, with proof of travel. Acceptance facilities like the ones below cannot issue passports on the spot.
Source: State Department processing times (page updated October 5, 2026).
Tools
Passport fee calculator
What you'll pay, split between the State Department and the facility.
Renew by mail or online, or apply in person?
Check the official DS-82 rules in a minute.
Traveling within 14 days?
All passport agencies, addresses and appointment rules.
Passport photo requirements
FAQ
Can I get a passport without an appointment in Howard County, MD?
The State Department database lists 4 of the 12 acceptance facilities in Howard County, MD as walk-in or no appointment required. Walk-in hours are set by each location, so call the number listed before you go.
How much does a first-time adult passport cost?
For an adult passport book applied for in person, the application fee is $130 paid to the U.S. Department of State, plus a $35 acceptance fee paid to the facility. Expedited service adds $60.
Can I renew my passport at these locations?
No. Acceptance facilities handle new applications on Form DS-11. Most adults can renew by mail (DS-82) or online.
How long does a passport take right now?
The State Department lists routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited at 2 to 3 weeks, not counting mailing time.
Where is the nearest passport agency to Howard County, MD?
The closest is the Washington Passport Agency at 600 19th Street, N.W., First Floor, Sidewalk Level, Washington, DC 20006, about 24 miles away in a straight line. It serves only customers with urgent travel (within 14 days) by appointment, which is free to book through the State Department.
Facility data: U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility API (cadataapi.state.gov), pulled October 27, 2026. Names and notes are shown as published, including typos. Spotted an error? Tell us.