How to Schedule Your U.S. Passport Appointment

Where to book your passport appointment

You book a U.S. passport appointment through the State Department's official website at travel.state.gov, not through a third-party service. The site has a scheduling tool that shows you available times at passport acceptance facilities and passport agencies near you.

Passport agencies handle renewals and replacements. Passport acceptance facilities — usually post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices — handle first-time passports and some renewals. The State Department website tells you which type of facility is closest to you and what each one can do.

You cannot walk in without an appointment. Every passport location now requires you to book a time slot in advance. If you try to arrive without one, staff will turn you away.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at travel.state.gov using the official scheduling tool; no other website can book it for you.
• Passport agencies handle most passport work, but acceptance facilities (post offices and libraries) can issue first-time passports and some renewals.
• You need to bring specific documents that depend on whether you are getting your first passport, renewing, or replacing a lost one.
• Processing times vary from a few weeks to several months depending on demand and whether you pay for expedited service.

What documents to bring to your appointment

What you bring depends on what type of passport you need. For a first-time passport, bring your birth certificate (original or certified copy), a government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship. A certified birth certificate from your state's vital records office counts as proof of citizenship.

For a passport renewal, bring your most recent passport, a new photo, and a completed application form (DS-11 or DS-82, depending on your situation). If your passport was lost or stolen, bring a police report and file form DS-64 in addition to your other documents.

For all appointments, bring a government photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID) and proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card works, but so does a tax return or W-2. Bring the originals — staff will not accept photocopies of most documents.

You also need a new passport photo unless you are renewing by mail. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and meet specific requirements (white background, full face visible, no sunglasses or filters). Many post offices and pharmacies take passport photos for a small fee.

How to complete your application before you arrive

You can fill out your passport application online at travel.state.gov before your appointment. The form is DS-11 for first-time passports and most replacements, or DS-82 for renewals. Completing it online saves time at your appointment because you can print it out and bring it with you already filled in.

If you do not complete it online, you can fill out the paper form at home and bring it, or you can arrive early and fill it out at the facility. Staff can help you if you are unsure about any section, but arriving with it done means you spend less time waiting.

Do not sign the form until a staff member tells you to. They need to watch you sign it in person.

Processing times and expedited service

Standard passport processing takes several weeks to several months depending on how busy the State Department is. During peak travel seasons (spring and summer), wait times are longer. The State Department website shows current processing times for your region when you book your appointment.

If you need your passport faster, you can pay for expedited processing, which cuts the time roughly in half. You pay an extra fee (currently around $60 for a passport book) and the State Department prioritizes your application. Expedited service does not mean you get your passport at your appointment — it still takes weeks, just fewer of them.

If you need a passport within days, ask about emergency or expedited in-person service when you call or visit. Some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for people with documented travel plans, but this is not available everywhere and requires proof of your trip.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. Staff will check your documents, verify that everything matches your application, and take your photo if you did not bring one. They will ask you questions about your citizenship and identity to confirm the information on your form.

You will pay the passport fee at your appointment. Fees vary depending on the type of passport (book or card) and whether you chose expedited service. The facility accepts cash, check, or card — ask ahead if you want to know which payment methods they take.

After your appointment, you do not take your passport home that day. The State Department mails it to you once it is processed. You can track your application status online using your receipt number.

If you cannot make your appointment or need to reschedule

Log back into travel.state.gov and cancel your appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled time. This frees up the slot for someone else and lets you book a different time without penalty.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you will have to book a new one. There is no automatic rebooking, and you may have to wait longer for the next available slot depending on demand in your area.

If your circumstances change and you no longer need a passport, cancel your appointment so the State Department can manage its schedule better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone go to my appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person at your appointment. The State Department needs to verify your identity and watch you sign your application. A parent or guardian can accompany a minor, but the minor must still be present.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Contact your state's vital records office to request a certified copy. This usually takes one to two weeks. If you cannot get a birth certificate, you can use other documents like a baptism record, hospital record, or naturalization papers as proof of citizenship — ask the State Department which documents they will accept in your situation.

Do I need an appointment for a passport card instead of a book?

Yes. Passport cards are smaller and cheaper than books but only work for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. You book the same way through travel.state.gov and bring the same documents, but you tell the staff you want a card instead of a book.

What if I booked an appointment but my travel plans changed?

Cancel your appointment through travel.state.gov if you no longer need to travel. If you still need the passport but your trip date moved, you can keep your appointment — the passport will be mailed to you regardless of when you travel.

Can I renew my passport by mail instead of going in person?

Yes, if your passport is not damaged, was not lost or stolen, and you got it when you were 16 or older. You can mail in form DS-82 with your passport and a new photo instead of booking an appointment. Mail-in renewal takes longer than in-person service, so check current processing times before you decide which route to use.