How to Book and Prepare for Your Passport Renewal Appointment

Book your appointment online or by phone before you go anywhere

You cannot walk into a passport acceptance facility and renew on the same day. You must schedule an appointment first through the State Department's official system. Go to passports.state.gov and select "Schedule an Appointment" — this takes you to the booking portal where you enter your zip code and see available times at nearby locations.

If you cannot book online, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time. Have your zip code ready and know whether you need routine or expedited service — this affects which appointments show up.

Appointment availability varies by location and season. Popular facilities in major cities often fill weeks ahead, especially in spring and summer. If your nearest location has no openings, check facilities 30 to 50 miles away — you can use any acceptance facility in the country, not just the closest one.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; walk-ins are not accepted.
• Bring your current passport, a completed DS-11 or DS-82 form (depending on your situation), a government-issued photo ID, and one new passport photo.
• Routine renewal takes four to six weeks after your appointment; expedited service costs extra and takes two to three weeks.
• Arrive 15 minutes early with all documents in a folder, because missing even one item will delay or cancel your appointment.
• If your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you cannot renew by mail and must appear in person with extra documentation.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your current passport — this is the document being renewed. If it is damaged, faded, or the photo is unrecognizable, bring it anyway; the acceptance agent will assess whether it can be processed. If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot renew it and must instead apply for a replacement, which requires appearing in person with a police report or affidavit.

Bring a completed application form. For most people renewing by mail or in person, this is Form DS-82 (Application for a U.S. Passport). If you are renewing in person because your passport was damaged, lost, or stolen, or because you need to change your name or gender marker, you will use Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport) instead. Download both forms from state.gov or pick them up at the acceptance facility — many facilities have them at the desk.

Bring one new passport photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. The photo must show your face straight-on against a white or off-white background, with your eyes open and mouth closed. Do not wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup that changes your appearance. Passport photo booths at pharmacies, post offices, and UPS stores cost $10 to $20 and meet State Department standards.

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID card, or military ID. If you do not have one, bring two documents that together prove your identity and residence, such as a utility bill plus a birth certificate, or a lease plus a Social Security card.

Routine versus expedited service and what each costs

Routine passport renewal takes four to six weeks from the date of your appointment. The State Department processes applications in the order received, and this timeline assumes no errors on your form and no requests for additional documents. Routine service costs $130 for a passport book (the standard booklet) plus a $35 execution fee, paid at your appointment.

Expedited service takes two to three weeks and costs an additional $60 on top of the routine fees, for a total of $225. You must request expedited service when you book your appointment — you cannot add it later. Expedited service is useful if you have travel planned within four to six weeks, but it does not may provide delivery by a specific date.

If you need your passport in fewer than two weeks, the State Department offers emergency service at some locations. This requires proving you have a flight or other travel commitment within 14 days. Emergency appointments are rare and must be booked by phone; call 1-877-487-2778 to ask whether your location offers them. Emergency service costs $60 extra and takes one to two business days.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring all documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get separated. The acceptance agent will review your form, check that your photo meets standards, compare your current passport to your ID, and ask you to sign the application in front of them. This takes 10 to 20 minutes.

The agent will collect your current passport and new photo. They will give you a receipt with a tracking number — keep this. You will use the number to check the status of your renewal online at passports.state.gov under "Check Application Status." The receipt also shows the expected delivery date based on the service level you chose.

You will pay the fees at the appointment. Bring a check, money order, or credit/debit card — not cash. If you chose expedited or emergency service, you will pay the additional fee at this time.

How to track your passport after your appointment

Go to passports.state.gov and enter your receipt number and last name in the "Check Application Status" tool. This updates as your passport moves through processing. The status will show "Application Received," then "In Process," then "Approved," and finally "Passport Mailed."

Your new passport arrives by mail at the address you provided on your application. Standard mail delivery takes three to five business days after the State Department ships it. If you chose expedited or emergency service, the State Department ships faster, but mail delivery time is the same.

If your passport does not arrive within one week after the status shows "Passport Mailed," call 1-877-487-2778 to report it. The State Department can file a trace and redeliver or issue a replacement.

If your appointment needs to be rescheduled or cancelled

Log into passports.state.gov with the same account you used to book, find your appointment, and select "Reschedule" or "Cancel." You can change the date and time or the location. If you cancel, you will need to book a new appointment, which may not be available at your preferred location or time.

If you cannot access your account, call 1-877-487-2778. Do not simply miss your appointment — this does not free up the slot for others and may delay your renewal if you try to reschedule later.

Situations that require in-person renewal instead of mail renewal

If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot renew it. You must apply for a replacement in person using Form DS-11. Bring a police report or a signed statement (notarized or unnotarized) saying the passport is lost or stolen. This is treated as a new application, not a renewal, and costs $130 plus $35 execution fee.

If your passport is significantly damaged — torn, water-damaged, faded, or the photo is no longer recognizable — the acceptance agent may require you to apply in person instead of by mail. Bring the damaged passport to your appointment so the agent can decide.

If you need to change your name or gender marker, you must appear in person with Form DS-11 and supporting documents (a marriage certificate, court order, or other legal proof of the change). This is not a simple renewal and requires additional paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport by mail instead of going to an appointment?

Yes, if your passport is undamaged, you are renewing your name as it appears in your current passport, and your passport was issued when you were 16 or older. Mail renewal is slower — it takes six to eight weeks — but you do not need an appointment. Download Form DS-82 from state.gov, include your current passport, new photo, and payment, and mail everything to the address on the form.

What if I miss my appointment?

Contact the acceptance facility or call 1-877-487-2778 as soon as possible to reschedule. Missing an appointment does not cancel your application, but it delays your renewal. You will need to book a new appointment slot, which may not be available for several weeks depending on your location.

Do I need to bring my birth certificate to my appointment?

No. For a renewal, you need your current passport, completed form, photo ID, and new passport photo. Birth certificates are required only for first-time applications or if you are applying for a replacement after a lost or stolen passport.

Can someone else pick up my passport after it arrives?

No. Passports are mailed to the address you provided on your application and must be signed for by the person whose name is on the envelope. If you will not be home, arrange for someone to sign on your behalf or have the mail held at your post office.

What if there are errors on my new passport when it arrives?

Contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 immediately. If the error is the State Department's mistake, they will correct it at no cost. If the error is on your application form, you may need to apply again.