How to Schedule and Prepare for Your Passport Agency Appointment

How to book a passport agency appointment

You cannot walk into a passport agency without an appointment. The U.S. State Department requires you to book a time slot in advance through their online system, and most agencies no longer accept same-day or walk-in requests. The only exception is if you are traveling within 72 hours — some agencies hold a small number of emergency slots, but you must call ahead to confirm one is available before you go.

To book an appointment, go to passports.state.gov and select "Schedule an Appointment." You will need to enter your zip code to find agencies near you, then choose a location and available date. The system shows you what documents each agency needs based on whether you are renewing, applying for your first passport, or replacing a lost one. Book as far ahead as you can — wait times vary widely by location and season, but many agencies have openings weeks or months out.

After you book, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment number, location, and the exact documents to bring. Save this email or print it — you will need to show the confirmation when you arrive.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment through passports.state.gov at least several weeks before you need to travel, since wait times vary by location and season.
• Bring your confirmation email or printed confirmation, a valid photo ID, and the specific documents the agency listed for your type of request.
• If you are traveling within 72 hours, call the agency directly to ask about emergency same-day slots before you go in person.
• Passport processing takes 6 to 8 weeks for routine service or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service, and you pay extra for expedited.
• Bring exact payment in the form the agency accepts — usually check, money order, or card, but policies vary by location.

What documents to bring to your appointment

The documents you need depend on whether you are applying for your first passport, renewing an existing one, or replacing a lost or damaged passport. The passports.state.gov booking system tells you exactly what to bring based on your situation, so check your confirmation email before you go.

For a first-time passport, bring a completed Form DS-11 (not signed yet — you sign it at the agency), a valid photo ID, proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization papers, or consular report of birth), and proof of your Social Security number. You will also need a passport photo — 2 by 2 inches, color, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. Do not wear glasses, and your face must take up 70 to 80 percent of the photo.

For renewal by mail (if you are not traveling soon), you can skip the appointment entirely and mail your old passport, a completed Form DS-82, a new photo, and payment to the address on the State Department website. This takes longer but costs less and requires no appointment.

If your passport was lost or stolen, you must go in person. Bring a police report or a signed statement explaining the loss, along with the same documents as a first-time applicant.

Processing times and expedited service

Routine passport processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the agency receives your completed application. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional fee — currently $60 on top of the standard passport fee, though fees change. You request expedited service at your appointment, and the agency will tell you the total cost.

If you need your passport faster than expedited service allows, some agencies offer a same-day or next-day service for an additional rush fee, but this is only available if you book an emergency appointment and meet strict travel date requirements. Call the agency directly to ask whether this option exists at your location.

The processing clock starts when the agency receives your application, not when you have your appointment. If you book an appointment far in advance, your application will sit until your appointment date, so the total time from booking to receiving your passport is longer than the processing time alone.

Fees and payment methods

A passport book costs $130 for adults (age 16 and older) and $100 for children under 16. A passport card costs $35 for adults and $20 for children. You can get both a book and a card together for $165 for adults and $120 for children. These prices do not include execution fees, which the agency charges to process your application — currently $35 for adults and $25 for children, though these fees change periodically.

Payment methods vary by agency location. Most accept check, money order, or credit card, but some accept only certain methods. Your confirmation email will tell you what the agency accepts. Bring exact payment or be prepared to leave and return with the correct form of payment — agencies do not make change.

If you request expedited service, add $60 to the total. If you request a rush delivery option (available at some locations), add another fee. Ask the agency staff at your appointment what the final total will be before you pay.

What to expect during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early with your confirmation email, all required documents, and payment. The agency will call you by name or appointment number. A staff member will review your documents, ask you questions to verify your identity and citizenship, and take a new passport photo if the one you brought does not meet requirements.

You will sign your application in front of the staff member. If you are applying for a child's passport, both parents or guardians must be present, or the absent parent must provide a notarized consent form. The staff member will tell you when to expect your passport and how you will receive it — usually by mail to the address you provided, though some agencies offer in-person pickup.

The entire appointment usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on how busy the agency is and whether your documents are in order. If something is missing or incorrect, the staff member will tell you what to fix and may ask you to reschedule.

If you are traveling within 72 hours

Call the passport agency in your area directly — do not use the online booking system. Ask whether they have emergency same-day or next-day appointments available. Not all agencies offer this, and slots fill quickly. If one is available, the agency will tell you what documents to bring and may ask you to come in immediately.

Emergency appointments cost more. You will pay the standard passport fee plus execution fee plus an expedited service fee plus a same-day or next-day rush fee. The total can be $200 or more depending on your location and what service you request. Bring exact payment in the form the agency accepts.

If no emergency slots are available at your nearest agency, ask the staff member whether a different agency in your state or region has openings. Some larger cities have multiple passport agencies, and you may be able to get an appointment elsewhere.

Common reasons appointments are delayed or cancelled

Missing or incomplete documents are the most common reason an appointment does not go smoothly. Your birth certificate must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy. Your photo ID must be valid and not expired. Your passport photo must meet exact specifications — if it does not, the agency will reject it and you will need to get a new one taken.

If you are applying for a child's passport and only one parent is present, bring a notarized consent form from the other parent. Without it, the agency will not process the application. If you are a stepparent or legal guardian, bring court documents proving your relationship.

Name changes require a certified copy of the document that changed your name — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Bring the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport appointment the same day I call?

No, except in emergencies. The online booking system shows available dates weeks or months ahead depending on your location. If you are traveling within 72 hours, call the agency directly to ask about emergency slots, but these are limited and not may provide to exist.

What if I miss my appointment?

You will lose your appointment slot. You can book a new one through passports.state.gov, but you may have to wait weeks for the next available time. If you need to reschedule, cancel your current appointment through the website first so the slot opens for someone else.

Do I need a passport photo before my appointment?

You should bring one, but the agency can take a new photo at your appointment if yours does not meet requirements or if you prefer. There is no extra charge for a photo taken at the agency. If you bring your own, it must be 2 by 2 inches, color, taken within six months, with a plain background and your face taking up 70 to 80 percent of the frame.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must be present in person. The only exception is for children under 16, whose parent or legal guardian attends on their behalf. If you cannot attend your scheduled appointment, cancel it and book a new one.

How will I receive my passport after it is processed?

The agency will mail it to the address you provided at your appointment. Standard delivery takes several days to a week after processing is complete. Some agencies offer in-person pickup, and some offer expedited mail delivery for an extra fee — ask at your appointment what options are available.