How to Schedule Your U.S. Passport Appointment

Where to book your passport appointment

You schedule a U.S. passport appointment through the State Department's online system at passports.state.gov. The website lets you choose between a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office or library) for a new passport or passport card, or a passport agency office if you need expedited service or have a damaged passport.

Not every location offers the same services. Post offices and libraries handle routine new passports and renewals by mail. Passport agencies in major cities handle expedited cases, passport card replacements, and situations where you need your document within days. The website shows you which services each location near you actually offers before you book.

If you cannot find an appointment within a reasonable distance, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They can tell you which locations have the shortest wait times and may be able to direct you to an agency with sooner availability.

Key Takeaways

• Book online at passports.state.gov by entering your zip code to see which locations near you have appointments available.
• Post offices and libraries handle routine passports; passport agencies handle expedited cases and passports needed within two weeks.
• You must bring specific documents to your appointment — a birth certificate or prior passport, a photo ID, and a completed form — or your appointment will be cancelled.
• Routine passports take four to six weeks after your appointment; expedited service takes two to three weeks and costs extra.
• If no appointments show available online, call 1-877-487-2778 to ask about cancellations or locations with sooner dates.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy, not a photocopy. If you were born outside the United States, bring your original Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Naturalization. If you already have a passport, bring that instead of a birth certificate — the State Department will not accept a photocopy of either document.

You also need a government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, state ID, military ID, or tribal ID all work. Bring the original, not a copy. If you do not have one, tell the acceptance facility staff before your appointment — some locations can direct you to get one quickly, but others cannot.

Bring a completed passport form. For a new passport, use Form DS-11 (in person at an acceptance facility) or Form DS-82 (by mail for a renewal). You can fill it out online at passports.state.gov and print it, or fill out a paper form at the facility. Do not sign the form until the staff member tells you to — signing it before your appointment will invalidate it.

Bring a passport photo: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a white or off-white background. You can have one taken at most post offices and pharmacies for $10 to $20. Bring the original photo, not a digital file.

How to find an appointment time that works for you

Go to passports.state.gov and enter your zip code. The system shows you locations within a set distance and the next available appointment at each one. Times fill up quickly in urban areas, especially in summer and around holidays. If the nearest location shows no appointments for weeks, check locations 20 or 30 miles away — rural post offices often have sooner dates.

The system updates throughout the day as people cancel. If you do not see an appointment that fits your schedule, check again the next morning or later that evening. Many people book and then cancel within 24 hours, freeing up slots.

If you need a passport within two weeks, you must book at a passport agency office, not a post office or library. These are located in major cities and handle only expedited cases. Expedited service costs an additional $60 on top of the passport fee.

What happens at your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. The staff will check your documents against your form, verify your identity, and take a new passport photo if you did not bring one (though bringing your own photo is faster). They will collect your payment — currently $130 for a passport book for adults, $100 for a passport card, or $160 for both together. Fees change periodically, so check the website before you go.

If anything is missing or incorrect, the staff will tell you at the appointment and may ask you to fix it on the spot. If a document is missing, they will cancel your appointment and you will have to reschedule. This is why bringing originals and a completed form matters — it is the most common reason appointments do not move forward.

The staff will not hand you a passport at the appointment. They send your application to a processing center. You will receive your passport by mail at the address you provided, usually within four to six weeks for routine service or two to three weeks for expedited service.

Tracking your passport after your appointment

You can track your passport's status at passports.state.gov using your receipt number and date of birth. The system updates every few days and tells you whether your application is being processed, approved, or shipped. If your passport does not arrive within the stated timeframe, use the tracking system to check its status before calling.

If you need your passport before the standard timeframe, you cannot speed up processing after your appointment. The only way to get a passport faster is to book an expedited appointment at a passport agency before your original appointment date.

What to do if you cannot find an appointment

If passports.state.gov shows no appointments available in your area for several weeks, call 1-877-487-2778. The National Passport Information Center can sometimes direct you to locations with sooner availability or tell you when new appointment slots are expected to open. They cannot book appointments for you, but they can answer questions about which locations offer which services.

You can also try locations outside your immediate area. If you are willing to travel, rural post offices and smaller cities often have appointments available when major urban centers are booked solid for weeks.

If you have a passport that is damaged, lost, or stolen, you may be able to book an appointment at a passport agency instead of waiting for a post office slot. Passport agencies prioritize these cases and often have sooner availability than routine appointments.

Fees and payment methods at your appointment

Bring a check, money order, or credit card. Most post offices and libraries accept all three. Passport agencies accept checks, money orders, and credit cards. Do not bring cash — it is not accepted.

The current fee for a passport book is $130 for adults and $100 for minors. A passport card costs $100 for adults and $85 for minors. If you want both a book and a card, the combined fee is $160 for adults and $135 for minors. These fees do not include the execution fee charged by the acceptance facility, which is usually $35 to $50 depending on the location.

Expedited service adds $60 to the passport fee and is only available at passport agency offices. Expedited service means your passport will be processed within two to three weeks instead of four to six weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

No. The person getting the passport must be present at the appointment. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you are a guardian but not a parent, bring court documents proving guardianship.

What if I miss my appointment?

You lose your appointment slot and must reschedule through passports.state.gov. If you know you cannot make it, cancel online so someone else can use that time. Cancellations free up slots for other people and take less than a minute.

Do I need to print my confirmation email?

Bring it or have the confirmation number ready on your phone. The staff will scan or type in the number to pull up your appointment. A printed copy is not required but makes the check-in faster.

What if my birth certificate is not a certified copy?

The State Department requires a certified copy with an official seal. A photocopy or a certified copy from a hospital will not work. You can order a certified copy from your state's vital records office, usually for $10 to $25, and it arrives within one to two weeks.

Can I renew my passport by mail instead of going to an appointment?

Yes, if your passport is not damaged, was not issued when you were under 16, and is not expired by more than five years. You mail Form DS-82, your passport, a new photo, and payment to the address on the form. This takes four to six weeks and costs $130. If any of those conditions do not apply, you must go in person to an acceptance facility or passport agency.