Finding and Booking Your Nearest Passport Appointment

Where to find passport appointments in your area

Passport appointments happen at one of two places: a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. Acceptance facilities are usually post offices, libraries, or county clerk offices that take your documents and photos but do not issue passports on the spot. Passport agencies are federal offices that handle renewals, replacements, and new passports, and they exist in most major cities.

The fastest way to find what is near you is the State Department's passport location finder at travel.state.gov. Type your city or zip code, and it shows you every acceptance facility and agency within your search radius, along with their hours and whether they take walk-ins or appointments only. Many acceptance facilities do not require an appointment and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but some now book slots in advance.

If you are in a rural area with no nearby facility, you may be able to mail your documents to a passport agency instead. The State Department website lists which agencies accept mail-in requests and what paperwork they need.

Key Takeaways

• Use the State Department's location finder at travel.state.gov to see every passport office and acceptance facility near you, along with their hours and appointment policies.
• Acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, county clerks) take your documents but do not issue passports; passport agencies do the actual processing and are in larger cities.
• Many acceptance facilities do not require appointments and serve people in order, though some now book time slots online or by phone.
• Processing times vary by location and season — passport agencies typically take longer than acceptance facilities, and summer is slower than winter.

How to book an appointment at a passport agency

If you are going to a passport agency (not an acceptance facility), you must book an appointment in advance. You cannot walk in. Go to travel.state.gov/appointments and select your state and city. The system shows you available dates and times at each agency in your region. You will need to create a login or use an existing one, then choose your appointment type: new passport, passport renewal, replacement, or name change.

The online system usually shows appointments 2 to 4 weeks out, though this varies by location and season. If you do not see times that work for you, check back daily — cancellations open up regularly. You can also call the passport agency directly; the phone number appears in the location finder.

When you book, you will receive a confirmation number and a list of documents to bring. Write down your confirmation number and the date and time. Arrive 15 minutes early.

What to expect at an acceptance facility

Acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, county clerk offices) handle the paperwork side of a new passport or passport card. They do not issue the document — that happens at a passport agency — but they verify your identity, check your documents, take your photo, and send everything to the agency for processing.

Most acceptance facilities do not require an appointment and operate on a walk-in basis during their posted hours. A few now book time slots online or by phone to manage wait times. Check the location finder to see the policy at your nearest facility. If it takes walk-ins, arrive early in the day; wait times can be an hour or more during peak season.

Processing time from an acceptance facility is usually 6 to 8 weeks for a regular passport, or 2 to 3 weeks if you pay for expedited service. Passport agencies process faster — sometimes in 2 to 3 weeks for regular service — but they are busier and appointments are harder to find.

Documents and photos you will need

Bring your completed passport form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for a renewal, or DS-64 if your passport was lost or stolen). You will also need a government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), and a passport photo that meets State Department standards: 2 by 2 inches, color, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain white or off-white background.

Many acceptance facilities and all passport agencies take passport photos on-site for a fee, usually $15 to $20. If you bring your own photo, it must be unsigned and unfolded. Do not laminate it.

If you are renewing by mail (only for passports that are not damaged, lost, or stolen, and only if you were at least 16 when it was issued), you do not need an appointment. Mail your form, photo, and documents to the address on the State Department website, along with the appropriate fee.

Fees and payment methods

A new passport book costs $130 for adults and $100 for children under 16. A passport card (wallet-sized, valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) costs $35 for adults and $20 for children. Expedited service adds $60 to either. Acceptance facilities and passport agencies accept cash, check, money order, and major credit and debit cards. Some acceptance facilities may have different payment policies — ask when you arrive or call ahead.

If you are paying by check or money order, make it out to the U.S. Department of State. If you are paying by card, bring the card itself; you cannot pay over the phone.

Processing times and when to book

Regular passport processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from an acceptance facility and 2 to 3 weeks from a passport agency. Expedited service (available at passport agencies and some acceptance facilities) takes 2 to 3 weeks from an acceptance facility and 1 to 2 weeks from a passport agency. These times are current estimates and change based on demand — they are longer in summer and shorter in winter.

If you need a passport in less than 2 weeks, you must go to a passport agency in person. Some agencies offer same-day or next-day service for an additional fee, but you must book an appointment and show proof that you are traveling soon (a plane ticket or itinerary). Call the agency directly to ask about expedited in-person service.

Book your appointment as soon as you know you need a passport. If you are traveling in the next 6 weeks, book at a passport agency rather than an acceptance facility, because agencies process faster.

What to do if you cannot find an appointment

If the location finder shows no available appointments in your area, you have a few options. First, check back daily — cancellations happen regularly and new slots open up. Second, expand your search radius and look at agencies or facilities in nearby cities; you may be able to travel to a less busy location. Third, call the passport agency directly and ask if they have any same-day or walk-in slots, or if they know of cancellations coming up.

If you are traveling in the next 2 weeks and cannot find an appointment, call the passport agency and ask about emergency service. Some agencies will fit in urgent cases if you have proof of travel. You may also be able to renew or replace your passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate if you are overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

No. The person who needs the passport must be present at the appointment. For children under 16, both parents or guardians must be present (or one parent with a notarized letter from the other). You cannot send someone else to stand in for you.

What if I miss my appointment?

Call the passport agency or facility as soon as you realize you will not make it. If you do not show up and do not cancel, you may lose your appointment slot and have to book again. Cancellation policies vary by location, so ask when you book.

Do I need an appointment at a post office passport acceptance facility?

Most post offices do not require appointments and serve people in order during posted hours. However, some post offices now book time slots online or by phone. Check the State Department's location finder for the policy at your nearest post office, or call ahead to ask.

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

Yes, if your passport is not damaged, lost, or stolen, and you were at least 16 when it was issued. Mail your completed form DS-82, your passport, a new photo, and the fee to the address on the State Department website. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks by mail, or 2 to 3 weeks with expedited service.

What if I need a passport in less than a week?

Call the passport agency directly and ask about emergency or same-day service. You will need to show proof that you are traveling soon (a plane ticket or itinerary). Not all agencies offer same-day service, and there is an additional fee. If no agency near you can help, you may be able to get a passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate if you are traveling internationally.