With international travel expected to rise this summer, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng will join state and city lawmakers to host a Passport Day in Forest Hills, aimed at helping Queens residents apply for or renew their passports ahead of peak vacation season.
The event will take place on Sunday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Forest Hills Post Office, located at 106-28 Queens Blvd.. Joining Meng in sponsoring the event are State Senators Joseph Addabbo and Leroy Comrie, Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi and Council Member Lynn Schulman.
“We are glad to partner together to bring this important service to those we represent, and to make the process easy and convenient for constituents,” said the five lawmakers in a joint statement. “We look forward to seeing local residents come out on Sunday to take care of their passport needs.”
The Passport Day will offer in-person support from U.S. Postal Service clerks, who will assist attendees with completing applications and collecting necessary documentation. First-time applicants and those seeking renewals are encouraged to arrive early, as applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals. Required documents include proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, and payments must be made by check, money order, or card. Passport photos can be brought or taken on-site for an additional fee. Children under 16 must appear in person with both parents or legal guardians.
Details on documentation and fee structures are available on the U.S. Department of State’s official website.
Meng has held several similar events in her district since 2022 in response to delays that left many travelers without valid passports during the post-pandemic travel rebound. Last year, she pushed the State Department to reduce the mounting backlog of applications, questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a congressional hearing.
Her advocacy contributed to significant improvements: standard processing times, which previously spanned 10–13 weeks in 2023, have since dropped to 4–6 weeks, while expedited requests now take just 2–3 weeks.
