How to Schedule and Attend Your Passport Appointment

Where to book your passport appointment

You book a passport appointment through the State Department's official website at passports.state.gov, or by calling 1-877-487-2778. The website lets you search for appointments at passport acceptance facilities and passport agencies near you, then reserve a specific date and time. If you call, a representative will search available slots and book one for you over the phone.

Passport acceptance facilities are usually located at post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices. Passport agencies are federal offices in major cities and handle expedited services. For a routine passport, an acceptance facility is normally faster to reach and has more available appointments. Passport agencies are used mainly when you need your passport in a few weeks rather than months.

The State Department updates available appointment slots regularly, so if you do not see times that work for you, check back in a few days. Slots fill up faster in spring and summer, and slower in fall and winter.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; do not show up without one, as walk-ins are not accepted.
• Bring your completed application form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal), a government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship — the exact documents depend on whether you are renewing or applying new.
• Arrive 15 minutes early with all documents in hand, because missing even one required paper means your appointment will be rescheduled.
• Processing time after your appointment ranges from a few weeks for routine service to a few days for expedited service, depending on which you chose when booking.

What documents to bring to your appointment

The documents you need depend on whether you are renewing an expiring passport or applying for a new one. For a new passport, bring your completed DS-11 form (Application for a U.S. Passport), an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, and a new passport photo (2x2 inches, taken within the last six months). You also need to bring the original documents — photocopies are not accepted for proof of citizenship.

For a passport renewal, the process is simpler if your passport is not damaged and you still look like your photo. Bring your completed DS-82 form (U.S. Passport Renewal Application), your expiring or expired passport, a new passport photo, and a government-issued ID. If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail and must apply in person as a new application, which requires the DS-11 form and birth certificate.

Passport photos have strict rules: no glasses with glare, no filters or heavy makeup, plain background, and your face must fill most of the frame. Many CVS and Walgreens locations offer passport photo services for around $15. Do not use photos from your phone or computer — they will be rejected.

Bring the originals of all documents, not copies. The acceptance facility will examine them and return them to you, but they need to see the real thing. If you are applying on behalf of a minor under 16, you also need both parents or guardians present with photo ID.

What to expect during your appointment

When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give your name and appointment time. A staff member will review your documents to make sure everything is there and filled out correctly. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. If anything is missing or incorrect, they will tell you what needs to be fixed before they can process your application.

You will be asked to sign your application in front of the staff member. For a new passport, you will also be photographed at the facility — bring the photo you prepared, but they may take a new one if yours does not meet their standards. You will pay the passport fee at this time, usually by check, money order, or card (accepted methods vary by location, so check ahead if you want to be sure).

The entire appointment usually takes 20 to 30 minutes if all your documents are in order. You will receive a receipt showing your application number and the expected delivery date. Keep this receipt — you will need it to track your passport or contact the State Department if something goes wrong.

Passport fees and processing times

A new passport book costs $130 for adults (ages 16 and up) and $100 for minors under 16. A passport card (a smaller, wallet-sized version) costs $35 for adults and $20 for minors. You can get both a book and a card together for $165 for adults and $120 for minors. These are the base fees; some acceptance facilities charge an additional execution fee of $35 to $50.

Processing time depends on which service level you chose when you booked. Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date of your appointment. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an extra $60. If you need your passport in days rather than weeks, some passport agencies offer expedited in-person service, where you can get your passport the same day or within a few days, but this is only available at certain locations and costs extra.

The State Department's website lets you track your passport using your application number and date of birth. You can check the status anytime after your appointment. If your passport is delayed beyond the promised date, you can contact the State Department through the website or by phone.

If you need to reschedule or cancel

If you need to change your appointment date or time, log back into passports.state.gov with your confirmation number and reschedule. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 to make changes. Cancellations are free, and you can rebook as many times as you need.

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

Common reasons appointments get delayed or denied

The most common reason an appointment does not move forward is missing or incorrect documents. Bring originals, not copies. Make sure your birth certificate is an official certified copy with a raised seal, not a photocopy from a hospital. If you are unsure whether your document is certified, ask the issuing office before your appointment.

Passport photos are rejected frequently for glare on glasses, shadows on the face, or backgrounds that are not plain white or off-white. If the facility rejects your photo, you can have a new one taken there, but it will cost extra and delay your processing.

Name changes require extra documentation. If your name on your birth certificate does not match your current legal name, bring the court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree that shows the change. Without it, your application will be held up.

If you are applying for a passport for the first time as an adult and have no birth certificate on file with your state, you will need to contact your state's vital records office before your appointment to order a certified copy. This can take weeks, so start early.

What to do if you cannot make an appointment near you

If the nearest appointment is months away or too far to travel, check whether a passport agency in a larger city has sooner slots. Passport agencies are in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. These locations often have more availability than smaller acceptance facilities.

If you are traveling soon and cannot wait for a routine appointment, expedited service may be your only option. Expedited appointments are sometimes available sooner than routine ones because fewer people book them. You can also ask the State Department whether any acceptance facilities near you have cancellations — staff can sometimes fit you in if someone else cancels.

If you are traveling internationally within weeks and have no appointment available, contact the passport agency directly by phone to explain your situation. They sometimes hold emergency slots for people with imminent travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not through the regular booking system. Routine and expedited appointments are scheduled weeks in advance. Same-day or next-day service is only available at certain passport agencies for expedited in-person service, and only if you have imminent travel. Call the nearest passport agency directly to ask whether they have emergency slots.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Contact your state's vital records office (usually run by the health department) and order a certified copy. This can take two to four weeks depending on the state. You cannot complete your passport appointment without it, so order it as soon as you know you need a passport. Some states let you order online; others require mail or in-person requests.

Can someone else attend my appointment for me?

No. You must be present in person. For minors under 16, both parents or guardians must be present with photo ID. If a minor's parents are divorced or separated, bring custody documents if you have them.

What happens if I bring the wrong form?

The staff member will notice during check-in and ask you to fill out the correct form before proceeding. You can do this at the facility, but it will add time to your appointment. Download and fill out the right form (DS-11 for new, DS-82 for renewal) before you arrive to avoid delays.

Can I change my mind about expedited service after my appointment?

Yes. Contact the State Department using your application number within a few days of your appointment and ask to upgrade or downgrade your service level. You will pay the difference in fees if upgrading, or receive a refund if downgrading.