How to Schedule and Prepare for Your Passport Appointment

Where to book your passport appointment

You book a passport appointment through the State Department's official appointment system at passports.state.gov. The website lets you search for locations near you, see available dates, and reserve a specific time slot. You do not need to call or visit in person to book — everything happens online.

Passport acceptance facilities include post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices. Full passport agencies (which handle renewals, corrections, and expedited services) are located in major cities. The type of location matters: if you need a passport fast or have a complicated case, you may need a full agency rather than a post office. The appointment system shows you which locations offer which services.

Appointment availability varies by location and season. Popular urban locations often fill weeks ahead. Rural areas and smaller post offices typically have openings sooner. If your nearest location is booked out, searching a location 30 or 40 miles away sometimes shows open slots within days.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov by searching your location and selecting an available date and time.
• Bring your completed DS-11 form (new passport) or DS-82 form (renewal), a government-issued ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo meeting State Department specifications.
• Passport photos must be taken within six months of your appointment and cannot be selfies, digital prints from home, or photos with filters or backgrounds.
• Processing time after your appointment ranges from a few weeks to several months depending on demand, so book well before any travel date.
• Expedited service costs extra and is available at full passport agencies and some post offices, but does not may provide a specific timeline.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed passport application form. For a new passport, use Form DS-11. For a renewal (if your passport is not damaged, lost, or stolen, and you still have it), use Form DS-82. You can fill these out online at passports.state.gov and print them, or fill them out by hand. Do not sign the form until you are at your appointment — the acceptance agent must witness your signature.

You need proof of citizenship. A birth certificate (certified copy, not a photocopy) is the most common document. If you were born outside the United States, bring your Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Naturalization. If you were adopted, bring your adoption decree. The document must be an official certified copy with a raised seal or official stamp.

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 establish your identity — a school ID plus a credit card, for example. The acceptance agent will check your ID against the information on your application form.

Bring a passport photo. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, in color, with a plain white or off-white background. Your face must take up 50 to 69 percent of the photo. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup that changes your appearance. The photo cannot be a selfie, a digital print from home, or edited in any way. Many post offices and pharmacies offer passport photos for $10 to $20.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The acceptance agent will review your documents, check that your form is complete and signed correctly, and verify your identity. They will scan your photo and take your fingerprints. The whole process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

The agent will tell you the total cost and payment method. As of 2024, a new adult passport book costs $130, and a passport card (a wallet-sized ID valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) costs $35. A combined book and card costs $165. Expedited service adds $60. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card — accepted payment methods vary by location, so ask when you arrive.

You will receive a receipt showing your application number and expected processing time. Keep this receipt. You will need it to track your passport or pick it up if you ordered expedited service. The agent will tell you whether your passport will be mailed to your home address or held for pickup.

Processing time and tracking your passport

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date of your appointment. During busy seasons (spring and summer), processing can stretch to 12 weeks or longer. Expedited service, which costs an additional $60, aims for 2 to 3 weeks but is not may provide — it simply moves your application to the front of the queue.

You can track your passport using your application number at passports.state.gov. The tracking system updates every few days and shows whether your passport is being processed, approved, or in the mail. If you ordered expedited service and paid for expedited shipping, your passport will arrive by overnight mail.

If you need your passport by a specific date and standard processing will not meet that deadline, expedited service is your only option through the State Department. Some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for customers with travel plans within 72 hours, but this service is available only in person at full passport agencies in major cities, not at post offices or libraries.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport

If your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, you cannot use Form DS-82. You must use Form DS-11 (new passport application) and appear in person at your appointment. Bring a police report if your passport was stolen — this protects you from identity theft and is required by the State Department.

If your passport was damaged (water damage, torn pages, faded photo), bring the damaged passport itself to your appointment. The agent will take it and issue a replacement. Processing time is the same as for a new passport.

If your passport was lost or stolen abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They can issue an emergency travel document that lets you return to the United States. Once home, you can schedule a regular appointment to replace your passport.

Name changes and corrections

If your name has changed since your last passport (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), you need a new passport, not a renewal. Use Form DS-11 and bring your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. You will need to appear in person.

If your passport contains an error — a misspelled name, wrong birth date, or incorrect citizenship information — you can correct it at your appointment. Bring the passport itself and documents supporting the correction (a birth certificate if the birth date is wrong, for example). Minor corrections can sometimes be made on the spot; major errors may require a new passport.

What to do if you cannot keep your appointment

Cancel or reschedule your appointment through passports.state.gov using your confirmation number. You can change the date and time or select a different location. Canceling frees up the slot for someone else and prevents a no-show fee if your location charges one.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you may lose your fee and have to book a new appointment. Some locations charge a no-show fee. If an emergency prevents you from attending, contact the passport acceptance facility directly — their phone number is on your confirmation email — and explain the situation. Some facilities will reschedule you without penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport appointment the same day or next day?

Not through the regular appointment system. Standard appointments are booked weeks in advance. Same-day or next-day service exists only at full passport agencies in major cities and only for people with travel plans within 72 hours. You must go in person without an appointment, bring proof of travel (a ticket or itinerary), and pay an additional expedited fee. Call your nearest passport agency to confirm they offer this service.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Contact your state's vital records office to request a certified copy. This can take several weeks. If you cannot get a birth certificate, other documents may work: a baptism record, school records, or a hospital record of your birth. Bring whatever you have to your appointment and let the acceptance agent decide whether it is acceptable. Having a backup document is safer than hoping one will work.

Do I need a new passport photo if I renew by mail?

No. If you are renewing by mail using Form DS-82, you do not submit a new photo. You only need a photo if you are applying in person (Form DS-11) or if your old passport photo is damaged or no longer looks like you. Check the form instructions for your specific situation.

Can someone else pick up my passport if I paid for expedited service?

Yes, if you arrange it ahead of time. Call the passport facility where your passport will be held and ask about their policy for third-party pickup. You will likely need to provide written authorization and the person picking it up will need to show ID. Not all locations allow this, so confirm before your appointment.

What if my appointment is coming up and I do not have all my documents?

Contact the passport acceptance facility listed on your confirmation email. Explain what you are missing. They can tell you whether you can still keep your appointment or whether you need to reschedule. Do not show up unprepared — the agent cannot issue a passport without the required documents, and you will lose your appointment slot.