Are You Ready to Travel? Get Your Passport at the Birmingham Public Library!

 

By William Anthony | Citizen Services, Central Library 

Are you tired of being stuck at home? Now is the perfect time to plan your dream vacation. You can apply for your passport or renew it today, and travel when the time is right.

Did you know that the Birmingham Public Library is a Passport Acceptance Facility? We have many passport acceptance agents who can help you navigate the application process.

Call (205) 226-3705 or stop by the Citizen Services desk at the Central Library to find out more. 

You can start your passport application process at both the Central Library  and the Avondale Regional Branch Library. Central Library passport hours for walk-in service are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment only. 

Avondale Library. offers passport application services by appointment only. Call (205) 226-4000 to reserve your spot. See details on the flyer above on the documents you need for your passports.   

NOTE: If you are planning to travel overseas, keep in mind that due to unprecedented demand, it takes longer to get passports. According to the U.S. State Department website, normal processing time for passports is 18 weeks (including 12 weeks for processing and six weeks for mailing). Even expedited passports - which cost extra - can take 12 weeks (six weeks for processing and six weeks for mailing)   

To help you plan your dream vacation, click here for more information about the latest top 20 best summer vacation destinations, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Here are some to consider: 

Paris, France

The City of Lights (Paris) draws millions of visitors every year with its marvelous cuisine and vast art collections. The best time to visit Paris is from June to October. Average high temperatures are in the upper 70s, and there are long days of sunshine. 

While there, visit Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris! This is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred heart of Jesus. 

Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

One of the best things about Vancouver is that there is something for everybody to enjoy whether you love the outdoors or enjoy the city life.

The best times to visit Vancouver are either from March to May or from September to November. This is perfect if you enjoy both summertime and wintertime, for the temperature can shift throughout the year. 

While there, check out Prospect Point, a must-see site in Vancouver. Prospect Point will take your breath away.

Prospect Point has a restaurant, gift shop, ice cream shop, and lookout with amazing views of the mountains, ocean and Lions Gate Bridge.  In March 2020, Prospect Point closed due to COVID-19, then reopened temporarily in the summer before closing again in the fall 2020. As of mid-July 2021, the restaurant and gift shop remained closed. The ice cream shop re-opened this summer, and you can still visit the outside areas. To get updated information on what is open at Prospect Point, visit its website.  

                                    

Florence, Italy

Renaissance art, gorgeous sunsets, Italian cooking and romantic charm are all reasons to visit Florence.

The best time to visit is between May and September when the weather is warm and you can enjoy art festivals, open-air dining and Italian sunshine.

While in Florence, visit The “Duomo” of Florence Cathedral.

The Duomo of Florence Cathedral 

Before traveling abroad, be sure to check on whether any travel restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Some countries have placed new travel guidance in place due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant version of COVID.