How to Get a Same-Day Passport Appointment

Same-day passport appointments are rare and only available at certain locations

You cannot walk into most passport agencies and get served the same day. The State Department's passport agencies and acceptance facilities operate on a scheduled appointment system, and most locations book weeks or months ahead. However, a small number of passport agencies do hold same-day or next-day slots for people with documented travel emergencies — and a few locations in major cities occasionally have walk-in hours.

The real constraint is location. If you live near a passport agency (not an acceptance facility — those cannot issue passports), you have options. If you live far from one, same-day service is not realistic. The agencies that offer emergency same-day appointments are in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Even at these locations, same-day slots exist only if you have a documented travel emergency and can prove it.

Key Takeaways

• Same-day passport appointments are only available at 11 passport agencies in major U.S. cities, and only for people with documented travel emergencies departing within 72 hours.
• You must call the specific passport agency in your region during business hours to request an emergency appointment — there is no online booking for same-day slots.
• Bring your completed passport form, proof of citizenship, government ID, a photo, and proof of your travel emergency (airline ticket, hotel confirmation, or cruise itinerary with your name on it).
• Passport agencies charge an additional $60 execution fee on top of the standard passport fee for emergency same-day service.
• If no passport agency is near you, you can request expedited service through the mail, which takes about two weeks, but this will not get you a passport in one day.

Which passport agencies offer same-day appointments

The State Department operates 17 passport agencies nationwide. Of these, 11 have documented same-day or next-day emergency appointment availability. These are located in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The remaining six agencies (in Detroit, New Orleans, Dallas, Atlanta, and two others) do not advertise same-day slots, though you can call and ask whether they have availability on the day you need service.

Passport acceptance facilities — post offices, libraries, and some government offices — cannot issue passports and cannot offer same-day service. They only accept applications and forward them to an agency. If you go to an acceptance facility, your application will be processed by mail, which takes weeks even with expedited service.

How to request a same-day appointment

Call the passport agency in your region during business hours. Do not use the general State Department phone line — you need the direct number for the specific agency. You can find these numbers on the State Department's passport agency locator at travel.state.gov. When you call, tell the staff member that you have a travel emergency and ask whether same-day or next-day appointments are available.

Be ready to describe your emergency. The State Department considers a travel emergency to be departure within 72 hours. You will need to prove it — have your airline ticket, cruise itinerary, or hotel confirmation ready to read over the phone or show in person. If your travel is more than 72 hours away, the agency will not book you for same-day service; they will offer expedited mail service instead, which takes about two weeks.

If the agency has same-day slots available, they will give you a specific time to arrive. Arrive early — agencies often have a line even with appointments. Bring everything listed below. If you arrive without the required documents, the agency will not issue your passport that day.

Documents and fees for same-day passport service

Bring the following to your appointment:

• Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport), completed and signed. Do not sign it before you arrive — you must sign it in front of the passport agent.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship: a birth certificate (certified copy, not a photocopy), naturalization certificate, or previous passport.
• Government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, state ID, or military ID.
• A new passport photo, 2x2 inches, taken within the last six months. You can get one at the passport agency itself if you do not have one, but this adds time to your appointment.
• Proof of your travel emergency: your airline ticket (with your name on it), cruise itinerary, hotel confirmation, or other document showing your departure date and your name.

The standard passport book costs $130 (for an adult) or $100 (for a minor). Same-day emergency service adds a $60 execution fee on top of this. If you need a passport card as well, add $35. Payment is by check, money order, or credit card — bring whichever form you prefer, as not all agencies accept all methods.

If your birth certificate is not certified or you do not have it, the passport agency cannot issue your passport that day. You will need to obtain a certified copy first, which usually takes several days. This is the most common reason same-day appointments fail.

What happens at your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. The agent will review your documents, ask you questions about your identity and citizenship, and take your photo if you did not bring one. They will process your application on the spot. You will pay the fees and sign the application in front of the agent.

The passport is printed and bound at the agency. In most cases, you will receive it before you leave — same-day service means you walk out with your passport in hand. In rare cases, if the agency is extremely busy, they may ask you to return later that day or the next morning. Ask the agent when you should expect to pick it up.

If no passport agency is near you

If you do not live within reasonable driving distance of one of the 11 agencies that offer same-day service, same-day passport service is not available to you. Your options are expedited mail service (about two weeks) or routine mail service (four to six weeks).

To use expedited service, go to any passport acceptance facility — a post office, library, or county courthouse — and submit your application in person. Tell the staff that you want expedited service. You will pay an additional $60 expedited fee on top of the standard passport fee. The agency will process your application and mail your passport to you. This takes about two weeks from the date the agency receives your application, not from the date you submit it at the acceptance facility.

If your travel is within two weeks, expedited mail service will not get you a passport in time. Your only option is to postpone your trip or travel without a passport (which is not possible for international travel). Some people in this situation have driven to a passport agency in another state, but this is expensive and only works if you have the time and money to travel.

Common reasons same-day appointments fail

The most common reason is a missing or uncertified birth certificate. The passport agency cannot issue a passport without proof of citizenship, and a photocopy of your birth certificate does not count. You must have a certified copy, which you can order from your state's vital records office. This usually takes three to seven business days.

The second most common reason is missing or incorrect information on your application. Make sure Form DS-11 is filled out completely and signed in front of the agent — do not sign it beforehand. If you make a mistake, you may need to start over with a new form.

The third reason is lack of proof of your travel emergency. If your airline ticket does not have your name on it, or if your travel date is more than 72 hours away, the agency will not book you for same-day service. Bring a document that clearly shows your name and your departure date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a same-day passport without an emergency?

No. Same-day appointments are reserved for people with documented travel departing within 72 hours. If your travel is further away, you can use expedited mail service (about two weeks) or routine service (four to six weeks), but not same-day in-person service.

What counts as a travel emergency?

The State Department defines it as travel departing within 72 hours. You must have a ticket, itinerary, or confirmation with your name and departure date on it. A family emergency or business trip does not count unless you are actually leaving within three days.

Can I use my old passport as proof of citizenship for a same-day appointment?

Yes. An expired or valid passport counts as proof of citizenship. Bring it with you. You do not need a birth certificate if you have a previous passport.

What if the passport agency is closed when I need an appointment?

Passport agencies are closed on weekends and federal holidays. If you need a passport on a weekend, you cannot get same-day service. Plan ahead or use expedited mail service if possible. Some agencies have extended hours during peak travel seasons — call ahead to ask.

Can I get a passport card instead of a book on the same day?

Yes, but it takes longer. A passport book is printed and bound at the agency and is usually ready before you leave. A passport card is also printed there but takes additional processing time. Ask the agent how long the card will take when you arrive for your appointment.