How to Book Your Passport Appointment at a Local Acceptance Facility

Where to schedule your passport appointment

You book a passport appointment at a passport acceptance facility, not at a passport agency office. Acceptance facilities are run by post offices, libraries, county clerk offices, and some municipal buildings — they take your application and documents, but they do not issue the passport itself. The State Department processes your application later and mails the passport to you.

To find the acceptance facility nearest you, go to passports.state.gov and use the facility locator tool. Enter your city or zip code. The results show hours, phone numbers, and whether each location takes walk-ins or requires an appointment. Some facilities are appointment-only; others accept both walk-ins and scheduled appointments.

Call ahead before you go. Staff can tell you how long the wait is that day, whether they have same-day slots open, and exactly which documents they need from you. This one phone call saves you a wasted trip.

Key Takeaways

• Passport acceptance facilities are at post offices, libraries, and county buildings — find yours on passports.state.gov and call to confirm hours and whether they take appointments.
• You need your birth certificate, a government ID, proof of citizenship, and a completed DS-11 or DS-82 form, depending on whether you are renewing or applying new.
• Bring a photo that meets State Department rules: taken within six months, 2x2 inches, white background, and a clear head-on shot with a neutral expression.
• Fees vary by passport type and processing speed — a standard adult passport costs more than a child passport, and expedited processing costs extra.
• Processing time depends on demand and the time of year; standard processing takes several weeks, and expedited processing is faster but still not same-day.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your original birth certificate or naturalization papers. A photocopy will not work — the acceptance facility staff must see the original. If your birth certificate is from another country, bring the original plus an English translation certified by a translator.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, state ID card, military ID, or passport card. If you do not have one, bring two documents that together prove your identity — a Social Security card plus a school ID, or a utility bill plus a credit card. The facility staff can tell you what combination they will accept.

Bring proof of citizenship if you were not born in the United States. This means a naturalization certificate, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a consular report of birth abroad. If you were born in the U.S., your birth certificate serves as proof of citizenship.

Bring the completed application form. For a new passport, use Form DS-11. For renewal, use Form DS-82 or Form DS-64 if your passport was lost or stolen. Download the form from passports.state.gov, fill it out by hand (not typed), and sign it in front of the acceptance facility staff — they will not accept a form you signed at home.

Passport photo requirements

Your photo must be taken within the last six months, measure exactly 2x2 inches, and have a plain white background. You must face the camera straight on with a neutral expression — no smiling, no sunglasses, no hats. Your head must take up 50 to 69 percent of the photo frame.

You can have a photo taken at most post offices, drugstore photo departments, or professional photographers. A photo booth at a mall or airport usually works too. The photo must be printed on photo paper, not regular paper. Bring four copies — one for your passport and three for the acceptance facility's records.

If you do not have a photo ready, many acceptance facilities can take one for you on the spot for a small fee, usually $10 to $15. Ask when you call to schedule whether they offer this service.

How to book the appointment online or by phone

Some acceptance facilities let you book online through their own websites or through passports.state.gov. Go to the facility locator, find your location, and look for a link to schedule. If the facility offers online booking, you will see a button or link on their information page.

If online booking is not available, call the facility directly. The phone number is listed in the facility locator. Tell the staff member your preferred date and time. They will confirm whether that slot is open and give you a confirmation number or ask you to arrive a few minutes early.

Write down your confirmation number and the date and time of your appointment. Bring this information with you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, call the facility as soon as you know — do not simply skip the appointment, because some facilities charge a fee for no-shows.

Fees and processing time

A standard adult passport book costs $130 for a new passport and $110 for renewal. A passport card (the wallet-sized version) costs $35 new or $30 for renewal. If you want both a book and a card, the combined cost is $165 new or $140 for renewal.

Expedited processing costs an extra $60 on top of the passport fee. Standard processing takes several weeks; expedited processing is faster but still typically takes one to two weeks. Neither option is same-day. If you need a passport urgently, ask the acceptance facility staff whether you can apply in person at a passport agency office instead — agencies can sometimes issue passports faster, but they require an appointment and proof of urgent travel.

Fees are paid at the acceptance facility when you submit your application. Most facilities accept cash, check, and credit or debit card. Bring enough cash or a card to cover the full fee plus any photo service fee if you need a photo taken there.

What happens after your appointment

The acceptance facility staff will review your documents, take your photo if you did not bring one, collect your fee, and give you a receipt. They will send your application to the State Department's processing center. You will receive your passport by mail at the address you provided on your application.

You can track your application status on passports.state.gov using your receipt number. The website updates as your passport moves through processing and when it ships. If you chose expedited processing, your passport will arrive faster than standard processing, but the exact timeline depends on current demand at the processing center.

If you do not receive your passport within the expected timeframe, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They can look up your application and tell you where it is in the process.

What to expect when you arrive for your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring all your documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost or damaged. The staff will call you when they are ready and take you to a desk or window.

The staff member will ask you questions to confirm the information on your application form — your full legal name, date of birth, address, and citizenship status. They will check your documents against your application. If anything does not match or is missing, they will tell you what you need to fix before they can accept your application.

The staff will take your photo if you did not bring one, collect your fee, and give you a receipt with a tracking number. Keep this receipt — you will need it to check on your passport status online. The entire appointment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment online, or do I have to call?

It depends on the facility. Some post offices and libraries let you book online through their websites or through passports.state.gov. Others only take phone calls. Use the facility locator on passports.state.gov to see what your nearest location offers. If you do not see an online booking option, call the facility directly.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born and request a certified copy. This can take several weeks. If you cannot get a birth certificate, bring other documents that prove your citizenship — a naturalization certificate, a passport card, or military discharge papers. Call your acceptance facility to ask what alternatives they will accept.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

Some facilities are appointment-only; others accept walk-ins. The facility locator tells you which type yours is. Even if walk-ins are allowed, calling ahead to ask about wait times is worth your time. Some facilities have long waits on certain days and shorter waits on others.

Can someone else go to the appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person at the acceptance facility. The staff need to verify your identity and take your photo. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must go with you.

What if I miss my appointment?

Call the facility as soon as you know you cannot make it. Some facilities charge a fee for missed appointments. If you do not call, you may lose your slot and have to wait for the next available opening.