How to Book and Prepare for Your U.S. Passport Renewal Appointment

Where to book your passport renewal appointment

You book a U.S. passport renewal appointment through the State Department's official website at passports.state.gov. The site has a scheduling tool that shows you available times at passport acceptance facilities and passport agencies near you. You enter your zip code, choose a location, and pick from the dates and times shown on the calendar.

Not every location offers appointments for renewals — some facilities handle new passports only. The scheduling tool filters for renewal appointments automatically, so you will only see times you can actually use. If no appointments show up within a reasonable distance, check back in a few days; cancellations open up regularly.

You can also call 1-877-487-2778 to book by phone if you cannot use the website. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number and driver's license number ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov using the scheduling tool, which shows only times available for renewals in your area.
• Bring your expired passport, a completed DS-11 or DS-82 form (depending on whether you are renewing by mail or in person), a government-issued ID, and a new passport photo.
• Standard processing takes four to six weeks from the day you submit your application; expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs extra.
• Arrive 15 minutes early with all documents in a folder, because missing even one item will delay your appointment or force you to reschedule.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your expired passport — this is the single most important document. If you cannot find it, tell the acceptance agent when you arrive; they can sometimes work around a missing passport, but it complicates the process. Bring it even if it expired years ago.

You also need a completed application form. For a standard renewal in person, use Form DS-11. For a renewal by mail (if you are renewing without an appointment), use Form DS-82. You can print both from passports.state.gov or fill them out by hand. Do not sign the form until the agent tells you to — they will witness your signature.

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or military ID. Bring a new passport photo that meets State Department standards: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. You cannot use a photo from your expired passport.

If you are paying by check or money order, bring that. If you are paying by card, the facility will process it there. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your number if you do not have it memorized.

Processing time and when you will receive your passport

Standard processing takes four to six weeks from the day the State Department receives your application. This means four to six weeks after your appointment, not from the day you book it. You will receive your new passport by mail at the address you provide.

Expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs an additional $60 on top of the renewal fee. You request expedited service at your appointment. Not all facilities offer it, but most do.

The State Department does not send status updates by email or text. You can check the status of your application at passports.state.gov using your confirmation number and last name, but the site updates only once a week. If your appointment is more than six weeks in the past and you have not received your passport, call 1-877-487-2778.

Renewal fees and payment methods

A passport book renewal costs $130 for an adult passport valid for 10 years. If you also want a passport card (a smaller, wallet-sized version), add $35. You pay at your appointment, and the facility accepts cash, check, money order, and most credit and debit cards.

Some facilities charge a small acceptance fee on top of the State Department fee — usually $35 to $140 depending on the location. This fee goes to the acceptance facility, not the State Department. The scheduling tool or the facility's website will tell you the total cost before you book.

What happens if you miss or need to reschedule your appointment

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose the time slot and have to book a new one. There is no penalty fee, but you will have to wait for the next available opening, which could be weeks away depending on demand in your area.

To reschedule, go back to passports.state.gov, find your appointment using your confirmation number, and cancel it. Then book a new time. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 to reschedule by phone. Cancel as soon as you know you cannot make it, because your slot opens up for someone else and you free up a time that might be sooner than what is currently available.

Passport renewal by mail instead of in person

If your passport is not damaged, you were at least 16 when it was issued, and it expired less than five years ago, you can renew by mail without an appointment. You fill out Form DS-82, include your expired passport and new photo, and mail everything to the address on the form. Processing takes four to six weeks by standard mail.

By-mail renewal costs $130 and does not include an acceptance facility fee. You do not need an appointment for this route. However, if your passport is damaged, lost, or stolen, or if you want to change your name, you must renew in person at an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport if it expired more than five years ago?

No, you cannot renew by mail if your passport expired more than five years ago. You must renew in person at an appointment. Book through passports.state.gov and bring your expired passport, a new photo, and a completed DS-11 form.

What if I do not have a new passport photo yet?

Some passport acceptance facilities have photo services on site and will take your photo for a fee, usually $15 to $25. Call ahead to confirm your location offers this. Otherwise, you can get a photo taken at a pharmacy, portrait studio, or post office before your appointment.

Do I need to bring my birth certificate to a passport renewal appointment?

No, you do not need your birth certificate for a renewal. You need your expired passport, a government-issued ID, a new photo, and a completed application form. Birth certificates are required only for new passport applications.

What if my name has changed since my passport was issued?

You must renew in person and bring legal proof of the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew by mail if your name has changed. Book an appointment and bring the name-change document along with your other required papers.

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

No, the person renewing the passport must book their own appointment or have someone call on their behalf with their permission. Parents can book for minor children. The person renewing must be present at the appointment with their own ID.