Alexandria Library-Beatley Central Library

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library—known locally as Beatley—is the flagship branch of the Alexandria Library system, positioned on Duke Street in the heart of Alexandria's residential West End. The library has earned a reputation as one of the city's most accessible passport acceptance sites, drawing applicants from across this independent city who prefer a civic, community-oriented setting over a post-office counter.

Appointments are required and become available at midnight each Saturday for the following week. Openings on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays tend to go fastest, so early birds have the best luck. The library's own guidance notes that applicants arriving later in the day during busy periods may not be seen even with an appointment—arrive with time to spare. Passport photos are not provided on-site, so plan to have compliant photos prepared before your visit.

Beatley's extended evening hours (open until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday) give working applicants a rare after-hours window that few acceptance offices in the region can match. For a broader view of every acceptance location across the state, the Virginia passport offices guide lists offices by city and county.

Beatley does not offer passport photos on-site—bring two compliant 2×2-inch photos or arrange them beforehand at a local pharmacy or print shop. Appointments open weekly at midnight on Saturday; Tuesday and Thursday morning slots fill within hours. If your travel date is under two weeks away, acceptance facilities cannot expedite processing; you would need to schedule an urgent appointment at the Washington Passport Agency at 600 19th St NW, Washington DC, just a short Metro ride from Alexandria. See the full Alexandria passport guide for additional office options in the city.