NKY + Cincinnati

Find a Passport Acceptance Facility Near You

Hours, fees, walk-in availability, and photo services for every passport office in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati — all verified in one place.

Passport application in Northern Kentucky county office
📋 New passport? In-person required (DS-11)
🔄 Renewal eligible? Mail in DS-82 — no office visit needed
⏱️ Standard processing 6–8 weeks (2026)
🚀 Expedited processing 2–3 weeks + $60 fee

NKY Passport Acceptance Facilities

Northern Kentucky offices accept new passport applications only — renewals must be mailed directly to the U.S. Department of State. Kentucky does not process passports through county clerk offices; most facilities are post offices and public libraries.

Kenton County

Post Office 📷 Photos Available

Covington Post Office

Address 1275 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011
Appointments Required — call to schedule
Execution Fee $35 payable to USPS
Handicap Access Yes
Post Office No Photos

Independence Post Office

Address 5106 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051
Appointments Required — call to schedule
Photo Service Not available here — bring a compliant photo
City Office No Photos

City of Independence — City Hall

Address 5409 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051
Handicap Access Yes
Photo Service Not available — bring a compliant photo

Boone County

Post Office 📷 Photos Available

Cincinnati Airport Retail — USPS

Address 76 Clay Dr, Hebron, KY 41048
Note Located near CVG airport — convenient for travelers with upcoming departures
Post Office Call Ahead

Burlington Post Office

Address 2600 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
Note Burlington is the Boone County seat — call ahead to confirm current appointment availability

Campbell County

Clerk Office Call Ahead

Newport Clerk's Office

Address 998 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071
Note Newport is directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati — one of the closest NKY facilities to downtown Cincinnati
Full Campbell County guide →
Post Office Call Ahead

Newport Post Office

Address 126 E 6th St, Newport, KY 41071
Note Call ahead to confirm passport appointment availability — hours vary

Hamilton County Passport Acceptance Facilities

Ohio is different from Kentucky: the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts handles passport acceptance — not county clerk offices. This makes Ohio simpler: one agency, multiple suburban branches, no appointment needed.

🏛️ Why Hamilton County Ohio is Unique

The Clerk of Courts' passport division operates as a true one-stop shop — photo services, application acceptance, and fee payment are all available at multiple suburban locations without an appointment. Walk in, get your photo taken ($X), pay the execution fee, submit your application. No scheduling, no waiting weeks for a library slot.

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts — All Passport Locations

Clerk of Courts ✅ Walk-In Welcome

Red Bank Road Branch

Address 3370 Red Bank Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Hours Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Appointment No appointment required
Photo Service Yes — on-site
Clerk of Courts ✅ Walk-In Welcome

Forest Park / West Kemper Branch

Address 1216 W Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45240
Appointment No appointment required
Note Open during lunch hours — plan a midday visit

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts — Official Passport Fees

Item Age 16+ Under 16 Payable To
Passport Book $130 $100 U.S. Dept of State
Passport Card $30 $15 U.S. Dept of State
Execution Fee $35 $35 Hamilton County Clerk
Passport Photo Varies — confirm at office Hamilton County Clerk

State Dept fees: check or money order only. Clerk fees: check, MasterCard, Visa, or cash.

Full Passport Fee Breakdown — 2025/2026

Fees consist of two separate payments: one to the U.S. Department of State, one to the acceptance facility. They cannot be combined into a single payment.

New Passport Book

Age 16+ (valid 10 years)$130
Under 16 (valid 5 years)$100
+ $35 execution fee at facility

Passport Card

Age 16+ (valid 10 years)$30
Under 16 (valid 5 years)$15
+ $35 execution fee at facility

Book + Card Together

Age 16+$160
Under 16$115
Only one $35 execution fee when applying for both

Expedited Processing

Extra fee+$60
Timeline2–3 weeks
Add to any application; request at time of submission

Payment Rules — Every Facility

  • U.S. Dept of State fee: Check or money order only — no cash, no cards
  • Facility execution fee: Varies by location — some accept cash; Hamilton County Clerk accepts Visa/MC
  • Passport photo fee: Separate payment; confirm on-site vs. bring-your-own at each facility
  • Make checks to the right payee: "U.S. Dept of State" for federal fees; the specific facility name for execution fees

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Missing any of these will end your appointment. Double-check before you leave home.

Required Documents

  • Completed DS-11 form — do NOT sign it until you're in front of the agent
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship: certified birth certificate (not a copy), previous U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship
  • Photocopy of your citizenship document (front and back)
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, military ID)
  • Photocopy of your ID (front and back, on one page)
  • One passport photo (2"×2", color, white background, taken within 6 months)

Payment to Bring

  • Check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State" for the passport application fee
  • Separate check/cash/card for the facility execution fee ($35) — payable to the facility
  • Separate payment for passport photo if getting one on-site

For Minors Under 16

  • Both parents or legal guardians must be present
  • Child's birth certificate showing parental relationship
  • Current government photo ID for each parent/guardian
  • If only one parent present: signed DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) from the absent parent, or evidence of sole authority

Passport Processing Time Calculator

Enter your travel date and find out which processing option you need — and the deadline to apply.

NKY + Cincinnati Insider Notes

🗓️

Book Kenton Library Early

The Covington branch only allows booking 2 weeks in advance and fills up fast in spring and summer. Check availability on Monday morning when new slots open.

🕗

Hamilton County — Go Early

Walk-in doesn't mean no wait. Arrive by 8:00 AM at any Hamilton County Clerk location to avoid midday lines, especially during spring travel season (March–June).

📸

Photo Tips

If your facility doesn't offer photos, Walgreens and CVS in the NKY area take compliant passport photos for around $16–$18. Many UPS Stores also offer the service.

✈️

Flying Soon? Use CVG-Area USPS

The Cincinnati Airport Retail USPS in Hebron (76 Clay Dr) is near CVG and accepts passport applications — convenient if you're doing a last-minute trip from the airport.

🔄

Renewing? Don't Visit an Office

If your passport was issued at age 16+, is less than 5 years expired, and is undamaged — you can renew entirely by mail with DS-82. No office visit, no appointment. Mail directly to the State Department.

Urgent Travel Under 2 Weeks

For travel within 14 days, contact a regional passport agency directly — you'll need proof of imminent travel. The nearest regional agency to NKY is in Chicago. Call 1-877-487-2778 to schedule.