For Fort Bend County families with international travel on the calendar this Thanksgiving or Christmas, one of those easy-to-put-off vacation details is becoming increasingly important: checking the passport situation now, rather than a few weeks before departure.

The Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office will host a special Passport Fair from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12, at Jones Creek Ranch Park, located at 7714 FM 359 in Richmond, giving Fulshear residents a weekend opportunity to apply for a U.S. passport without trying to fit the process into an already-busy weekday.

The timing could prove especially useful. Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 26 this year, followed less than a month later by Christmas, making September a practical window for families to get ahead of passport needs before the holiday travel season picks up.

Fort Bend County Passport Fair Offers a Saturday Option

Fort Bend County District Clerk Beverley McGrew Walker is hosting the Passport Fair as a community service intended to make applying for a passport easier and more convenient for area residents.

“The Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office continues to offer passport application services to the greater Fort Bend County Community,” Walker said.

For residents who have been meaning to apply for a first passport, need passports for their children or simply want to get the task off the family to-do list, the Saturday event removes one common obstacle: finding time during normal business hours.

Walker, who has served as Fort Bend County District Clerk for seven years, described expanding access to passport services as one of the priorities of her tenure.

“As the Fort Bend County District Clerk for the last seven years, making it easier to obtain a passport and improving the jury selection process have always been a labor of love,” Walker said.

“There is no higher calling than serving the public,” Walker said.

A limited number of appointments are being accepted for the Sept. 12 Passport Fair. Residents can make an appointment and review current costs and application requirements through the Fort Bend County District Clerk’s passport website.

Why September Matters for Thanksgiving and Christmas Travel

Applying early matters because receiving a passport involves more than the federal government’s processing period alone.

As of Sept. 9, the U.S. Department of State lists routine passport processing at four to six weeks and expedited processing at two to three weeks for an additional $60. The department cautions travelers that those estimates do not include mailing time. An application can take up to two weeks to reach a passport agency or center, and it may take up to another two weeks for the completed passport to arrive after it is issued. 

That means someone planning an international Thanksgiving trip should not simply count backward four weeks from departure and assume there is plenty of time. Applying during the Sept. 12 fair gives Fulshear families considerably more breathing room for routine processing, mailing and any unexpected application issues.

The State Department itself recommends considering the total time to receive a passport, not simply the processing estimate, when booking international travel. 

For Christmas and winter-break travelers, September may feel early, but that is exactly the point. Handling passports before the holiday calendar fills with school activities, Thanksgiving plans, shopping and end-of-year commitments can eliminate one potentially stressful deadline later.

Federal Passport Updates Travelers Should Know in 2026

There are also several current federal passport rules and updates worth knowing before applying.

The State Department’s passport guidance, updated in 2026, says eligible adults may now handle routine passport renewals online instead of visiting an acceptance facility. To qualify for online renewal, among other requirements, an applicant must be at least 25, have a passport that was valid for 10 years and is expiring within one year or expired less than five years ago, and have no international travel planned for at least six weeks after submitting the application. Online renewals cannot be expedited. 

The department also issued a renewed warning this month about unofficial passport-renewal websites. The federal government says the only authorized online renewal service is operated through the State Department and cautions that third-party sites may charge additional fees or put personal information at risk. Travelers should verify that they are using an official .gov website before submitting sensitive information.

Passport photo requirements are another area where applicants can run into trouble. Current federal guidance says unacceptable photos are the leading reason passport applications are placed on hold. Photos must be recent, unedited and taken against a plain white or off-white background, and applicants should not use filters, retouching tools or artificial intelligence to alter the image.

What Applicants Should Bring and Know

All applicants attending the Fort Bend County Passport Fair must appear in person, including minors.

For children under 16, both parents generally must appear with the child. If one parent cannot attend, the District Clerk’s Office advises applicants to bring a DS-3053 consent form or notarized authorization from the absent parent, along with a copy of that parent’s identification, front and back.

That aligns with State Department requirements for passport applicants under 16, which generally require parental consent and documentation. Federal guidance states that when only one parent or guardian appears, additional documentation demonstrating the other parent’s consent may be required. 

Current federal fees also vary by applicant and passport type. For a first-time applicant age 16 or older, a passport book carries a $130 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee. For children under 16, a passport book is $100 plus the $35 acceptance fee. The State Department updated its passport fee chart in June 2026 and recommends confirming the applicable fee before submitting an application. 

Applicants should review the Fort Bend County District Clerk’s requirements before arriving so they know which documents, identification, payment methods and forms apply to their situation.

A Small Saturday Errand That Could Make Holiday Travel Easier

Passport paperwork may not be the most exciting part of planning a Thanksgiving getaway, Christmas vacation or family trip overseas, but discovering an expired passport too close to departure can quickly become one of the most stressful.

For Fort Bend County residents, this weekend’s Passport Fair offers a straightforward opportunity to deal with that paperwork months rather than weeks before many holiday trips.

The Fort Bend County Passport Fair will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12, at Jones Creek Ranch Park, 7714 FM 359, Richmond, TX 77406. Appointments are limited and can be scheduled through the Fort Bend County District Clerk’s passport webpage.

Residents should stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional Fort Bend County community events, public services and local updates.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.