East Columbia Branch Library: Passport Office in Columbia MD
Handicap Accessible (ADA): Yes
Passport Photos: Yes, the East Columbia Branch Library takes passport photographs onsite - Please review our guide to Passport Photos. If you want your passport photos taken before you go to the acceptance agent, here is a list of places to get passport photos in Columbia.
Columbia Passport Office: East Columbia Branch Library Location Overview
East Columbia Branch Library is an acceptance agent/passport office. For passport service in Columbia, MD you can go here for passport help. East Columbia Branch Library is a Library facility that is able to witness your signature and seal your passport documents - standard processing is 4-8 weeks. This office DOES NOT issue passports, they will send your passport forms directly to a regional passport facility. There are 2 other passport acceptance agent offices located in Columbia. East Columbia Branch Library is located in County, Maryland.About East Columbia Branch Library
East Columbia Branch Library is not a passport issuance facility and you will NOT receive a passport on-site there. This facility is an acceptance agent, the East Columbia Branch Library is sort of like a special notary for the Department of State / Passport Agency in which they can "Witness" your signature and officially "Seal" your application and documents. There is a separate $35 fee for this that is paid at the time of sealing.
Needs to visit an acceptance agent
New Passports Application (Child or Adult)
Lost / Damaged Passport Replacement
Doesn't need to visit an acceptance agent
Passport Renewal
Passport Name Change Application
Passport Processing Times at East Columbia Branch Library
Standard Processing - Because of Covid-19, the current processing times are 10-12 weeks after submitting an application.
Expedited Processing - You can pay an extra $60 when sealing your documents at East Columbia Branch Library to get your passport quicker, typically in 4-6 weeks.
Emergency Processing - (NOT AVAILABLE at East Columbia Branch Library): If you have proof of travel within 3 days you can request an emergency appointment at one of the regional passport offices close to Columbia. Also see our info about 3rd-party passport expediters.
Nearest Regional Passport Offices to Columbia, MD
Washington Passport Agency - 20.9 Miles
Philadelphia Passport Agency - 89.7 Miles
New York Passport Agency - 158.7 Miles
Passport Services Offered at East Columbia Branch Library
Passport Forms - If you need to pick up a physical pre-printed application that you can fill out by hand, the East Columbia Branch Library will have pre-printed passport forms. You may also get passport forms from our website and print them on your own printer.
Passport Document Sealing / Passport Application Signature Witness - East Columbia Branch Library is an official Acceptance Agent as appointed by the Department of State. Certain municipal and postal employees at this location are authorized to "Witness" your signature (kind of like a notary).
NOTE: not required for passport renewals
Acceptance Agent fee is $35 (see more about Acceptance Agent Fees)
4-6 week passport expediting / 10-12-week standard passport service - These are the standard processing times for passports at any acceptance agent.
Passport Photos - They can take and print your passport photos on site, typically $10-15.
East Columbia Branch Library Service Area Radius
This passport office is located in - Howard County and serves the passport needs for residents of other nearby zipcodes including: 21045, 21150, 21046, 21044, 20588, 21043, 21075, 20794, 21041, 20763, 20723, 21228, 21042, 21076, 20759, 20701, 21029, 21250, 21077
Frequently asked questions
East Columbia Branch Library does not issue passports, they are sent to a central processing facility, it will take at a minimum of 4 weeks if using expedited service and up to 12 weeks for standard processing.
The closest passport agency isn't too far from Columbia, Washington Passport Agency is only about 50 miles roundtrip from Columbia. This will be your best option for getting a passport quickly.
East Columbia Branch Library is an acceptance agent, East Columbia Branch Library does not issue passports – they do however charge the standard $35 acceptance agent fee to seal your documents, this is only required for new or replacement passport applications; renewals do not need to be sealed and thus no acceptance agent fee is required. Please see our detailed information on passport fees.
If by walk-in service you mean get your passport there at East Columbia Branch Library? Then no. They do not issue passports, you can get walk-in passport issuance at a regional passport facility only, not local acceptance agent facilities; passport are sent to a central processing location.
If you have your expired or soon-to-be expired passport, it is in good condition and the validity period on your expired passport was for 10-years, then you do not even need to visit an acceptance agent. You can do your application online, print-it and send it in with new passport photos, the old passport, and the required passport fees. See our guide about passport renewals to renew your passport yourself.
No, they are acceptance agents and have nothing to do with the application once they witness your signature and seal your application. Once an application is in-process, East Columbia Branch Library will not be able to assist any further.
Yes, you can get your passport photos taken there. Please see: List of locations in Columbia to get passport photos.
You can pay for the acceptance agent fees and passport photos (if you have them taken at East Columbia Branch Library) with cash, check, debit card, or money order. Your passport application fees will be paid separately by check or money order only.