An international trip can begin long before a flight is booked—with finding time to get the paperwork right. For Fort Bend County families whose weekdays are already full, an upcoming Saturday passport fair offers a chance to take care of that first step closer to home.

The Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office will accept passport applications Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Seven Meadows Community Association Clubhouse, 23610 Seven Meadows Parkway in Katy. Appointments are required and space is limited. Residents can check availability through the district clerk’s passport website; cancellations may free up additional slots.

The fair is an application service, so travelers should allow time for federal processing and delivery before making plans that depend on having a passport in hand.

Bring the Documents That Keep an Appointment on Track

Every applicant must attend, including children. Complete a current Form DS-11 in black ink, print it single-sided and leave the signature for the acceptance agent. Bring original or certified proof of U.S. citizenship, a copy of that proof, an acceptable government photo ID and copies of the ID’s front and back. Passport photos are available on site for $15.

For children younger than 16, parents should also bring the child’s original or certified birth certificate establishing parentage, even when the child has a previous passport. Both parents generally appear with the child; when one cannot attend, the family may need notarized Form DS-3053 and a copy of that parent’s identification. Other custody or family circumstances can require different documentation, so review the State Department’s child passport requirements before the appointment.

Plan for Two Separate Payments

The federal application fee and the local acceptance fee are paid separately. At this fair, application fees require a check or money order, and acceptance fees require a credit or debit card. Cash will not be accepted.

For applicants 16 and older, a passport book costs $130, a card costs $30, and both cost $160. For children younger than 16, the corresponding fees are $100, $15 and $115. Each application also carries a $35 acceptance fee. Expedited federal service adds $60; photo service and card-processing charges are additional where applicable.

Choosing a card solely because it costs less can create a problem later: a passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Its international use is limited to eligible land and sea travel involving Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Families anticipating flights abroad should account for that distinction when deciding what to request.

Review the clerk’s current fair instructions and applicant checklist before heading to Seven Meadows. Having the appointment, documents and payment methods arranged ahead of time leaves more room to think about the trip itself.

By Johnny Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Johnny Krenek has been connected to community news since childhood, growing up alongside the family business his parents founded—Krenek Printing. Today, he serves as Vice President and lead developer for My Neighborhood News, where he drives the digital experience and supports the team across a variety of technical and operational roles. He is passionate about building tools that help connect neighbors and strengthen communities.

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