If you are located in the Albuquerque area, then you’ve probably heard the news about Albuquerque post office passport services and applications. . Currently, passport acceptance facilities in the Albuquerque area are telling applicants that there are no appointments available until January. Since a passport takes 4-6 weeks for processing AFTER you submit your documents, this could delay your passport until March or later. The REAL ID Act now requires states to verify the legal status of a person before issuing a driver’s license. Right now, New Mexico issued drivers licenses do not meet the requirement as a valid ID to domestic flight. This issue has caused an increase in the number of passport applications and has contributed to the lack of available passport acceptance agency appointments.

What is an acceptance agent?

An acceptance agent is required to verify the documents, signature, and identity of the applicant. This is usually the county clerk or post office. Many require appointments now with no walk-in hours available.

Passport Appointments in Albuquerque New Mexico

New Mexico licenses may not be valid as identification for New Mexicans flying outside the state. In 2016, the federal government plans to announce a timeline for when New Mexico IDs won’t be valid to board an airplane. This will mean all New Mexicans will need a valid US Passport for domestic travel. There have been numerous reports about the delays at the Rio Rancho office and that applicants may need to wait until January or February to get a passport appointment. Post offices across the Albuquerque area require application appointments which can be made by phone. Make sure you have all of the required documents for your appointment. You will need your certified birth certificate, valid id or driver’s license, passport photo, and government fee payment. Passport Appointments in Albuquerque New Mexico may be difficult to get but this is a required step and there is no way around this process.