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 passports.state.gov. The site has a scheduling tool that shows you available times at passport acceptance facilities and passport agencies near you. You enter your ZIP code, choose a location, and pick from open slots — usually several weeks out, sometimes longer depending on where you live.

Not every location requires an appointment. Some passport acceptance facilities (usually post offices and libraries) still take walk-ins, but they may have long waits. The State Department recommends booking ahead even where it is optional, because appointment holders are seen first.

If you cannot find an appointment near you within a reasonable timeframe, you have two other routes: you can travel to a different city where slots are open, or you can visit a passport agency in person without an appointment during their walk-in hours (though waits can be several hours). Passport agencies are in major cities only — there are about 30 nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov using the scheduling tool, which shows you available times at nearby locations.
• Bring your completed application form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal), a government-issued ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo.
• Appointment times are usually 15 to 30 minutes long, but arrive 10 to 15 minutes early because staff may call you in before your exact time.
• If you cannot find an appointment in your area, passport agencies in major cities accept walk-ins during posted hours, though waits are typically longer.
• Processing times vary: routine service takes several weeks, expedited service costs extra and takes one to two weeks, and emergency same-day service is available only at passport agencies.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed application form first. For a new passport, that is Form DS-11. For renewal, it is Form DS-82 (or DS-64 if your passport was lost or stolen). You can fill these out online at passports.state.gov and print them, or fill them out by hand. Do not sign the form until you are at your appointment — the acceptance agent must witness your signature.

You also need proof of citizenship: an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad. A photocopy does not work. Bring your original document.

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, military ID, or federal employee ID. If you do not have one, bring two documents that together prove your identity, such as a school ID and a credit card.

Bring a passport photo: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. You can have one taken at the acceptance facility for a fee if you did not bring one, but it is faster to bring your own. Bring the original photo, not a digital copy.

If you are renewing and your passport is still valid, bring it with you. If you are applying for a passport in a different name than your birth certificate (due to marriage, divorce, or court order), bring the document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

How to fill out your application before you arrive

Go to passports.state.gov and look for the application forms. Download and print the form that matches your situation: DS-11 for a new passport or your first adult passport, DS-82 for renewal if your passport is still valid, or DS-64 if your passport was lost or stolen.

Fill out the form completely in black or blue ink. Print clearly. Leave the signature line blank — you must sign in front of the acceptance agent. If you are applying for a minor (under 16), both parents or guardians must sign, and both must be present at the appointment.

Some acceptance facilities let you fill out the form there, but doing it at home means you arrive ready and your appointment moves faster. If you make a mistake, cross it out neatly and initial the change. Do not use white-out.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The acceptance agent will review your documents, check that your application is complete, and ask you questions about your citizenship and identity. They will witness your signature on the form. They will take your passport photo (or scan the one you brought) and collect your payment.

The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive a receipt showing your application number and the expected delivery date. Keep this receipt — you need it to track your passport or pick it up if you chose in-person pickup instead of mail delivery.

Your passport will be mailed to you or held for pickup, depending on what you chose when you booked. Routine processing takes several weeks. If you need it faster, you can pay extra for expedited service (one to two weeks) at the time of your appointment. Same-day or next-day service is available only at passport agencies, not at acceptance facilities.

Fees and payment methods

A new adult passport (valid for 10 years) costs $130 for the book plus $35 for processing, totaling $165. A new passport for a minor (valid for 5 years) costs $100 plus $35 processing, totaling $135. Renewal of an adult passport costs $110 plus $35 processing, totaling $145.

Expedited service adds $60 to any of these fees. If you need your passport in one or two business days, you must go to a passport agency in person and pay an additional $70 for expedited service plus the regular fees.

Acceptance facilities take cash, check, or money order. Some also take credit or debit cards, but this varies by location — check the facility's website before you go. Passport agencies take all payment methods.

If you cannot find an appointment or need your passport urgently

If the scheduling tool shows no appointments in your area for weeks, you have options. First, check nearby cities — you may find an earlier slot within driving distance. Second, visit a passport agency in person during walk-in hours. Agencies are in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Miami, Seattle, Denver, and other major cities. Walk-in hours vary, so check passports.state.gov for the agency nearest you.

If you need your passport within days, go to a passport agency and request expedited service or emergency service. Emergency same-day service is available if you have international travel within 72 hours and can show proof (a ticket or itinerary). You will pay the regular fee plus $70 for expedited service plus $35 for execution fee, totaling around $240 for a new adult passport.

If your appointment is weeks away and you need your passport sooner, you can cancel that appointment and try booking again — sometimes new slots open. You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to ask about cancellations or to request an emergency appointment.

What to do if you miss your appointment or need to reschedule

If you miss your appointment, you lose your slot and must book a new one through the scheduling tool. There is no penalty, but you will have to wait for the next available time, which may be weeks away.

To reschedule, cancel your current appointment in the scheduling tool and book a new one. You can do this online anytime before your appointment date. If you cannot cancel online, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

If you need to change your appointment location (for example, you want to go to a different city), cancel and rebook. The system does not allow you to move an appointment to a different facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

No. The person getting the passport must be present at the appointment. If you are a parent or guardian booking for a minor, you must attend with them. If you are helping an elderly parent or someone with a disability, they still must be there in person, though staff can provide accommodations such as wheelchair access or a private room.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You need an original proof of citizenship document. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can use a naturalization certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, a certificate of citizenship, or a passport card. If you have none of these, contact your state's vital records office to request a certified copy of your birth certificate before you book your appointment.

Do I need an appointment if I am renewing by mail?

No. If your passport is still valid, not damaged, and you are not changing your name, you can renew by mail without an appointment. Fill out Form DS-82, include your old passport, a new photo, and payment, and mail it to the address on the form. This takes several weeks. You do not need an appointment for this process.

What if my appointment is coming up and I do not have all my documents?

Contact the acceptance facility directly before your appointment date. They can tell you whether you can proceed without a specific document or whether you need to reschedule. Do not show up without your proof of citizenship or government ID — your appointment will be cancelled and you will have to rebook.

Can I pick up my passport at the acceptance facility instead of having it mailed?

Some facilities offer in-person pickup, but not all. When you book your appointment, the system will show you whether pickup is an option at that location. If it is, you can choose it and pick up your passport once it is ready (usually within the timeframe shown on your receipt).