How to Book and Attend Your U.S. Passport Renewal Appointment

Where to book your passport renewal appointment

You book a passport renewal appointment through the State Department's official scheduling system at passports.state.gov. The site lets you choose between a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office or library) or a passport agency office, depending on how quickly you need your passport and what's available near you.

Acceptance facilities handle routine renewals and take about 6 to 8 weeks. Passport agencies handle expedited service (2 to 3 weeks) and same-day service, but they're only in major cities. If you need your passport in less than two weeks, you'll have to go to an agency office, not a post office.

The online system shows you available dates and times at each location. You pick the one that works for you, and you'll get a confirmation number by email. Keep that number — you'll need it when you arrive.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov; the system shows you available times at nearby facilities and tells you how long processing will take at each one.
• Post offices and libraries handle routine renewals in 6 to 8 weeks, while passport agency offices offer expedited (2 to 3 weeks) or same-day service for a higher fee.
• Bring your current passport, a completed DS-11 or DS-82 form (depending on whether you're renewing by mail or in person), a new photo, and proof of citizenship or identity.
• Arrive 15 minutes early with all documents in one place, because incomplete applications are turned away and you'll have to reschedule.
• If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule through the same website using your confirmation number.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your current passport, a new passport photo (2x2 inches, taken within the last 6 months), and one form of government-issued ID like a driver's license. You also need the application form — either DS-11 (if you're renewing in person at an agency) or DS-82 (if you're renewing by mail or at an acceptance facility). You can fill these out before you go or at the facility, but filling them out ahead saves time.

If your passport was lost or stolen, bring a police report or a statement signed under penalty of perjury. If your name has changed since your last passport, bring the document that proves it — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Bring the exact payment amount in cash, check, or money order if you're paying at an acceptance facility. Passport agencies take credit cards and debit cards. A routine renewal costs $130 for a passport book; expedited service adds $60; same-day service adds $35 on top of expedited. Passport photos cost $15 to $20 at most post offices and pharmacies if you don't have one.

What happens during your appointment

You'll check in with your confirmation number and wait your turn. When called, a clerk will review your application and documents to make sure everything is filled out and nothing is missing. They'll take your photo and your payment, and they'll scan your old passport. The whole process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

At an acceptance facility, the clerk will tell you when to expect your new passport — usually 6 to 8 weeks, or 2 to 3 weeks if you paid for expedited service. At a passport agency, you may walk out with your passport the same day if you chose same-day service, or you'll be told when to pick it up.

Do not leave the facility without a receipt. That receipt is your proof that you submitted your application, and you'll need it if something goes wrong or if you need to follow up.

If your appointment is at an acceptance facility versus a passport agency

Acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, and some government offices) are slower but more convenient. They're open during regular business hours, they're usually near your home, and they handle the most common type of renewal. You submit your application and leave; the State Department processes it and mails your new passport to you. You cannot pick it up in person.

Passport agencies are in 24 major cities and handle expedited and same-day service. They're busier, appointments are harder to find, and you may have to travel. But if you need your passport in less than two weeks, an agency is your only option. Some agencies let you pick up your passport the same day you apply; others mail it. The system will tell you which when you book.

If you're not sure which to choose, pick the acceptance facility first. It's cheaper and faster to book. Only switch to an agency if the timeline won't work for you.

What to do if you miss your appointment or need to reschedule

If you can't make your appointment, go back to passports.state.gov, enter your confirmation number, and reschedule for a different date and time. You don't lose your spot or pay a fee. If the system won't let you reschedule online, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time).

If you miss your appointment without rescheduling, you'll have to book a new one from scratch. Slots fill up quickly in some areas, so reschedule as soon as you know you can't make it.

Common reasons appointments are cancelled or delayed

The State Department sometimes cancels appointment slots without warning due to staffing shortages or facility closures. If your appointment disappears from the system, check your email for a notice. You can rebook at a different time or location through the website.

Processing delays happen when the State Department is backlogged. A routine renewal that normally takes 6 to 8 weeks may take longer during peak travel season (spring and summer). Expedited service is not may provide to meet the 2 to 3 week window if the agency is severely backlogged, though it's usually faster than routine service.

If your passport doesn't arrive by the promised date, wait a few more days before contacting anyone — mail delays are common. If it's more than a week late, call the National Passport Information Center with your receipt number.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, if your passport is not damaged, not lost, and you're not changing your name. You fill out form DS-82, mail it with your passport, a new photo, and payment to the address on the form. It takes 6 to 8 weeks. You don't need an appointment for mail renewal. If you need it faster, you have to go in person to an agency.

What if I don't have a current passport to renew?

If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot renew it — you have to apply for a new one. That's a different process and requires an in-person appointment at a passport agency. If your passport expired more than 5 years ago, you also have to apply for a new one, not renew.

Do I need an appointment if I'm just getting a passport photo taken?

No. Most post offices, pharmacies, and portrait studios take passport photos without an appointment. It costs $10 to $20 and takes 10 minutes. You only need an appointment if you're submitting your renewal application.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You have to be present in person. A parent or guardian can attend with a minor, but the minor must be there. The State Department does not allow proxy applications for passport renewal.

What if I booked the wrong location or the wrong date?

Use your confirmation number on passports.state.gov to reschedule. You can change the date, time, or location without penalty. If the website won't let you change it, call 1-877-487-2778.