Jefferson City's Main Post Office, 131 W. High St., will offer a "Passport Fair" from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Extra staff members will be available to help process the application forms.
People can apply for passports at the post office on any regular business day. But the Passport Fair is a special opportunity, Postmaster Jason Hirschvogel said.
"Passport applicants must apply in person, so many customers, especially families with children, appreciate the convenience of Saturday hours," Hirschvogel said in a news release. "With just one visit to the post office, the passport application process can be completed."
Applicants must provide an official application for passport, form DS-11, which will be available at the post office on Saturday - but also is available online from the U.S. Postal Service website at usps.com/passport for those who want to download and complete it before arriving at the post office.
All applicants, including infants, must present a proof of U.S. citizenship, which must be one of the following:
• Previous U.S. passport.
• Certified birth certificate issued by a state, city or county.
• Consular report of birth abroad.
• Certification of birth.
• Naturalization certificate.
• Certificate of citizenship.
A photo ID also is required to get a passport. And the passport must include a color photograph taken within the last six months and meeting specific guidelines.
The U.S. State Department recommends applicants "use a professional passport photo service" for that picture.
The Post Office Passport Fair includes the opportunity to get the photo taken during the process.
More information about passports and the costs is available online from the U.S. State Department at travel.state.gov/passport.
Hirschvogel recommends people wanting a passport to visit the post office at least two months - or earlier - before their scheduled trip, to avoid any extra costs involved in expediting the application.
On its website, the State Department says routine processing takes four to six weeks, while expedited processing usually takes three weeks. Passports are available in either a book, which is more expensive but used for travel worldwide, or a card.
U.S. citizens also may obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 877-487-2778.