New Passport Agency to Open in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo – In response to escalating demand for passports across the United States, Kansas City residents will soon enjoy greater convenience when applying for one. On Tuesday, the Department of State (DOS) announced plans to markedly enhance their service to the burgeoning number of Americans seeking U.S. passports. This initiative entails launching six new passport agencies including a storefront in Kansas City, Mo.

More Passport Agencies Nationwide

Accompanying the Kansas City establishment, additional new passport agencies will open their doors in Salt Lake City, Orlando, Charlotte, San Antonio, and Cincinnati. Collectively, these six fresh facilities will broaden the Department of State’s network to an impressive 35 passport agencies and over 7,400 public passport acceptance facilities spread out across the country.

Localization and Convenience

The newly minted Kansas City agency will primarily cater to travelers with urgent passport requirements. For those without an immediate need for passport services, applications can still be submitted at other public passport acceptance facilities—including post offices and various local government facilities.

An Increase in Passport Holders

As per data provided by the Department of State, the prevalence of passport holders in the United States has spiked considerably over the past few decades. In 1990, a mere five percent of Americans were passport-holders. Fast forward to 2024, and that figure has significantly grown to just under 50 percent. In terms of accessibility, the DOS stated that currently, over 99 percent of Americans reside within a 25-mile radius of a passport acceptance facility.

Available Passport Services

The services offered by passport agencies include processing new passport applications, renewing passports that aren’t eligible for mail-in renewal, providing services to children under the age of 16 or first-time applicants over 16, and replacing lost or stolen passports. These services are aimed to expedite the process and make it easier for residents to travel internationally.

While this addition is seen as a significant improvement in passport services for Kansas City residents, it’s recommended that you schedule an appointment before visiting, to avoid any inconvenience.