How to Schedule an Appointment at a Passport Office

How to book a passport office appointment

You schedule a passport office appointment through the State Department's online system at passports.state.gov. The site lets you pick a location, see available dates and times, and reserve a specific slot. You cannot walk in without an appointment — all passport offices now require one, and showing up without a reservation will turn you away.

The appointment system opens slots roughly four to six weeks ahead, though this varies by location and season. Popular offices in major cities fill faster than rural ones. If you need a passport urgently, some offices hold same-day or next-day slots for people with travel plans within two weeks, but these are limited and go quickly.

You will need your Social Security number and a valid ID to book. Have your travel dates ready, because the system asks whether you need the passport before a specific date — this determines which service level you can choose and affects your appointment type.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov; walk-ins are not accepted at any passport office.
• Appointments open four to six weeks in advance, and popular locations fill quickly during summer and holiday periods.
• Bring your Social Security number and valid ID to book; have your travel dates ready to select the right service level.
• Bring original documents (birth certificate, current ID, proof of citizenship) and a completed form to your appointment, not just your confirmation.
• If no appointments are available near you, check smaller offices in neighboring counties or consider a passport acceptance facility instead.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your original birth certificate (not a copy), a valid government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship. For a first-time passport, proof of citizenship means your birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth. For a renewal, you may be able to use your expired passport instead if it is not damaged.

You also need a completed Form DS-11 (for a new passport) or Form DS-82 (for a renewal). Print these before you go — the office does not provide them. You can download both from passports.state.gov. Sign the form in front of the passport agent; do not sign it beforehand.

Bring a new color photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. The photo must show your full face, be in focus, and have a plain white or off-white background. Many passport offices have photo services on-site if you need one taken, but this adds time and cost to your appointment.

If you are renewing by mail instead of in person, the rules are different — you can skip the appointment entirely if your passport is not damaged, you were an adult when it was issued, and it expired fewer than five years ago. The State Department website tells you whether you may have access to.

Passport office appointment wait times and processing

In-person appointments at a passport office typically take 20 to 45 minutes, depending on how busy the office is that day and whether your documents are complete. The agent will review everything, take your photo if needed, and collect your payment. You do not receive your passport the same day.

After your appointment, the State Department processes your passport and mails it to you. Standard processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks but costs extra (currently $60 more than standard). Routine processing cannot be expedited further, even if you pay more.

If you need your passport in fewer than two weeks, you must book a same-day or next-day appointment and pay for expedited processing. These slots exist but are scarce. If none are available in your area, you can travel to a different passport office that has openings, though this means traveling on short notice.

Finding an appointment when your location is full

If the passport office nearest you shows no available appointments, check offices in neighboring counties or the next city over. The State Department's location finder shows all offices and their current availability. Some smaller offices have more open slots because fewer people know about them.

You can also look for a passport acceptance facility, which is different from a passport office. Acceptance facilities (usually post offices, libraries, or county clerks) cannot issue passports, but they can take your application and documents, then send them to a passport office for processing. This does not speed up processing time, but it may have more available appointment slots in your area.

If you are willing to travel, passport offices in less-populated areas often have same-day or next-day slots available even when major city offices are booked weeks out. This is worth considering if you need a passport urgently and your local office is full.

Paying for your passport at your appointment

Bring a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State. Most passport offices do not accept cash or credit cards, though a few locations are testing card payments — check your specific office's page on passports.state.gov to confirm what it takes.

The cost depends on your age and the type of passport. An adult passport book costs $130 (plus a $35 execution fee at the office). A passport card costs $30 (plus the $35 execution fee). If you want both a book and a card, you pay for both. Expedited processing adds $60.

If you are under 16, the costs are lower, and a parent or guardian must appear with you. Replacement passports (if yours was lost or stolen) cost the same as a new one.

What happens if you miss your appointment

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose your slot and have to book a new one through the system. There is no penalty fee, but you go to the back of the queue and may wait weeks for the next opening, especially if you originally booked during a busy season.

Cancel your appointment through passports.state.gov if your plans change. This frees up the slot for someone else and prevents you from being marked as a no-show. If you need to reschedule, cancel first, then book a new appointment.

If an emergency comes up and you cannot reach the office in time, call the passport office directly. The phone number is on your appointment confirmation. Some offices will work with you if you call ahead, but this is not may provide.

Passport offices and acceptance facilities: which one to use

A passport office is run by the State Department and can issue passports on the spot (though you do not take it home the same day). You need an appointment. These offices handle new passports, renewals, replacements, and corrections.

A passport acceptance facility is usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office. It can take your application and documents but cannot issue the passport. You do not need an appointment at most acceptance facilities, though some now require one. Processing time is the same as if you went to a passport office — the facility just forwards your paperwork.

Use a passport office if you need expedited processing, have a same-day or next-day travel emergency, or want to handle everything in one place. Use an acceptance facility if you want to avoid the appointment system or prefer a location closer to home. Both send your documents to the same processing centers, so the final result is identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

No. The person getting the passport must book their own appointment using their Social Security number and ID. If you are booking for a child under 16, you (the parent or guardian) book the appointment, but the child must be present at the appointment with their own documents.

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

Contact the passport office before your appointment date. If you are missing critical documents like your birth certificate, you may need to reschedule. Going to your appointment without everything will result in a rejection and you will have to start over.

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

Most post offices do not require appointments for passport acceptance, but some larger locations now do. Check the specific post office's website or call ahead. Even without an appointment requirement, you may wait in line, so arriving early helps.

Can I change my appointment date or time after I book?

Yes, through passports.state.gov. Log in with the same Social Security number and ID you used to book, and you can modify your appointment. If you cannot find your confirmation, the website has a tool to look it up.

What if I need a passport in less than two weeks?

Book a same-day or next-day appointment if available in your area, and pay for expedited processing. If your local office has no urgent slots, check offices in other cities. If no appointments exist anywhere, contact the passport office directly to ask about emergency options — some offices hold a small number of walk-in slots for genuine travel emergencies, though this is not may provide.