No one wants to wait in a long line, pay for a picture, and then wait even longer for a little blue booklet in the mail. But if you want to leave the U.S., you’re going to have to.
The process would be worth it. With a passport, you can visit the Colosseum in Rome or try scotch whiskey in Scotland. However, if you want one, you need to plan ahead.
In Texas, passports must be renewed every 10 years for those 16 years and older. If you are 15 years old or younger, your passport will need to be renewed every five years.
Even if you don’t want to travel internationally, passports can be used to travel domestically, too. Beginning May 7, 2025, all travelers must carry a Real ID to travel domestically. To know if you have a Real ID in Texas, your license would have a gold star in the top right corner. If you do not have a Real ID, a passport would suffice as your means of identification for in-country flights.
Note that it doesn’t go both ways, R eal IDs do not suffice for international travel, meaning your passport is your only ticket out. Right now, the wait time to get your passport is six to eight weeks. For expedited travel, it is two to three weeks.
So, think ahead for your next vacation. Do you need your key out of the country? If so, here is how you can get a passport in Tarrant County .
How to get a passport in Texas
If you are renewing your adult passport, you can most likely have it done through the mail. To save yourself a trip, visit the U.S. Travel State Gov website .
It is recommended to make an appointment at one of Tarrant County’s Passport Acceptance Offices. If you walk in, it must be before 1 p.m., but you may get there as early as 8 a.m. To book your appointment visit, Tarrant County’s Passport Application Appointment site.
Tarrant County has six offices to choose from:
Dionne Phillips Bagsby Southwest Subcourthouse: 6551 Granbury Road, Suite 210, Fort Worth
Northwest Subcourthouse: 6713 Telephone Road, Suite 205, Lake Worth
Southlake Subcourthouse: 1400 Main, Suite 340, Southlake
Downtown Fort Worth: 200 Taylor St, 3rd Floor, Fort Worth
Southeast Subcourthouse Arlington: 700 E. Abram St, Suite 204, Arlington
Northeast Subcourthouse: 645 Grapevine Hwy, Suite 210, Hurst
Tarrant County passport services are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. When you arrive for your appointment you should be prepared with proper documents to pay a few fees as well as have your picture taken.
Payments must be made by check or money order only. Each application requires two checks, one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the Tarrant County Clerk, so be prepared with multiple.
Fees for those 16 years and older are $130 ($190 for expedited) for the passport, $35 for the execution fee, and $15 for the photo fee.
Fees for those 15 and younger are $100 ($160 for expedited) for passport fee, $35 for execution fee, and $15 for photo fee.
Evidence of U.S. citizenship: a U.S. Passport Book or Card, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, Certified Birth Certificate-long form preferred, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (photocopies not accepted)
Birth certificates must have a raised, embossed, or multicolored seal from the city, county, or state of birth, have both parents listed, and must have a filing date showing that it was filed within one year of the birth.
Valid government-issued identification with photocopy (front and back): driver’s license, state-issued I.D., military I.D., passport reflecting current appearance or naturalization certificate
One passport photo if you are not taking one at the office
Applicant’s Social Security Number
Applicants 16 and 17 years of age must appear in person with one parent.
Applicants 15 years of age and under must appear in person with both parents who are named on the birth certificate.
After your appointment, you should get your passport in six to eight weeks. If expedited, two to three weeks. From there, you can fill your little blue book with stamps from every country you visit.
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