Passport Acceptance Offices in Delaware
Delaware may be the second-smallest state, but each of its three counties has official passport acceptance facilities, so you rarely have to travel far to apply.
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📖 About Delaware
Delaware may be the second-smallest state, but each of its three counties has official passport acceptance facilities, so you rarely have to travel far to apply. The greatest concentration is in and around Wilmington and Newark in New Castle County, with more offices in the capital, Dover, and across the towns of Kent and Sussex counties.
Almost all of these offices are U.S. Post Offices and public libraries that handle first-time applications, applications for children, and renewals that cannot be mailed. Staff verify your documents, witness your signature, and forward everything to the U.S. Department of State on your behalf.
Delaware does not have its own regional passport agency. For same-day or urgent service, the nearest is the Philadelphia Passport Agency, about an hour north of Wilmington, which serves travelers with international trips within 14 days.
🗺️ Areas covered
📝 How applying works
Most passport offices in Delaware are U.S. Post Offices, public libraries, and county or city clerk offices that act as official acceptance facilities. You apply in person using Form DS-11 if you are getting a passport for the first time, if your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, if it was issued more than 15 years ago, or if you were under 16 when it was issued.
Fill out the form ahead of time but do not sign it — a passport agent must watch you sign. Some facilities accept walk-ins during set passport hours, while others require an appointment, so it is worth calling the office listed on your city’s page before you go.
🎒 What to bring
💳 Fees
| Service | To U.S. Dept. of State | To the facility |
|---|---|---|
| Adult passport book (age 16+) | $130 | $35 |
| Adult passport card (age 16+) | $30 | $35 |
| Adult book + card | $160 | $35 |
| Child passport book (under 16) | $100 | $35 |
| Child passport card (under 16) | $15 | $35 |
| Child book + card | $115 | $35 |
The application fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State; the $35 execution (acceptance) fee is paid to the facility where you apply. Expedited service adds $60, and faster return delivery is available for a small extra charge. Fees are set nationally and are the same at every Delaware office.
⏱️ Processing times
As of 2026, routine passport applications take about 4–6 weeks to process, and expedited applications about 2–3 weeks, counted from the day the State Department receives your application. Add roughly 2 weeks for mailing on each end.
The busiest season runs from late winter through summer, so apply between October and December when you can. If you are traveling within 14 days, you will need an appointment at a regional passport agency rather than a local acceptance facility.
💡 Good to know
Appointment policies differ from office to office — some Delaware post offices accept walk-ins during set passport hours, while libraries such as the one in Dover ask you to book a time. Always confirm the current hours on the specific office’s page before visiting.
Many post offices can take your 2 x 2 passport photo on site for a small fee, which saves a separate trip. If you are applying for children, remember that every child must appear in person and both parents or guardians must consent.