How to Get a Passport Appointment When You Need One Soon

What "urgent" means at the passport agency

The State Department does not have a formal "urgent" appointment category. Instead, they offer three processing speeds: routine (which takes 6 to 8 weeks), expedited (4 to 6 weeks), and expedited in-person (same day or next day, but only at certain locations). If you need your passport within weeks rather than months, expedited in-person is your only real option.

Expedited in-person appointments are available at passport acceptance facilities and passport agencies in major cities. You cannot book these online — you must call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to schedule one. The phone line opens at 8 a.m. Eastern time, and lines fill up quickly on weekday mornings.

The cost of expedited in-person service is $60 on top of the passport fee itself. You pay this fee when you arrive for your appointment, not when you book.

Key Takeaways

• Call 1-877-487-2778 at 8 a.m. Eastern time on a weekday to book an expedited in-person appointment; online booking does not offer this option.
• Expedited in-person appointments are only at passport agencies and some acceptance facilities, not at every location that accepts passport applications.
• Bring your completed application form, proof of citizenship, a government ID, a new passport photo, and payment for both the passport and the $60 expedited fee.
• Same-day or next-day service is possible, but availability depends on which location you can reach and how far ahead you call.
• If you cannot reach the phone line, some passport agencies accept walk-ins for expedited service, though wait times can be several hours.

Which locations offer expedited in-person appointments

Not every place that accepts passport applications can issue one the same day. Only passport agencies — the federal offices run directly by the State Department — and a limited number of passport acceptance facilities offer expedited in-person service. Passport agencies exist in about 20 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, Denver, and Washington, D.C. A full list is on the State Department website under "Passport Agencies."

Some county courthouses and post offices are passport acceptance facilities, but most of these can only accept your application and send it away for processing. They cannot issue a passport on the spot. When you call 1-877-487-2778, the representative will tell you which locations near you can do expedited in-person service and what appointments are open.

If you live far from any passport agency, you may have to travel. Many people in rural areas drive several hours to reach the nearest agency. Budget for travel time and cost when you plan your appointment.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport). You can fill this out online using the State Department's form filler tool, print it, and sign it in front of the passport agent — you do not sign it before you arrive. Bring the original, not a copy.

You will also need proof of citizenship (an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), a government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), and a new passport photo taken within the last six months. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, in color, with a white background. Many pharmacies and post offices take passport photos for $10 to $15.

Bring payment for the passport itself ($130 for an adult book passport, $100 for a card passport) and the $60 expedited in-person fee. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card — cash is not accepted at passport agencies. If you are renewing a passport and it is in your possession, bring that too.

How to book by phone and what to expect

Call 1-877-487-2778 starting at 8 a.m. Eastern time on a weekday. The line is often busy in the first hour. Have ready the zip code of the location you want to visit and your preferred dates. The representative will check what appointments are open and book you for the earliest available slot.

Once you have an appointment time, write it down and take a screenshot or photo of the confirmation if the representative gives you one. Some callers do not receive a confirmation number — if that happens, write down the date, time, and location the representative stated, and call back to confirm the day before your appointment.

Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring all documents listed above. The appointment itself usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You will receive your passport the same day or the next business day, depending on which agency you visit and what time your appointment is.

Walk-in options if you cannot book by phone

If you cannot reach the phone line or no appointments are open, some passport agencies accept walk-ins for expedited service. This is not may provide — policies vary by location and change based on staffing. Call the specific passport agency directly (not the main information line) to ask whether they take walk-ins that day.

If you do walk in, expect to wait. Waits of two to four hours are common, especially in the morning. Bring all your documents and payment. You will be served on a first-come, first-served basis after scheduled appointments are complete.

Walk-in service is riskier than booking ahead because you might arrive and be told they cannot serve you that day. If you have any flexibility in your timeline, booking by phone is more reliable.

What to do if you cannot get an appointment in time

If the nearest passport agency has no appointments for weeks, or if you live too far away to travel, consider whether you actually need a passport book or whether a passport card will work. A card is smaller, costs less ($100 instead of $130), and can be issued faster in some cases. However, a card is only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean — it cannot be used for air travel outside the United States.

If you need a passport for international air travel and cannot book an expedited appointment, contact the passport agency directly to ask about emergency service. Emergency passports exist for people with a death in the family, a medical emergency, or a critical business need, but they are issued at the agency's discretion and require documentation of the emergency.

Another option is to contact your U.S. senator's or representative's office. Congressional offices have staff who help constituents with passport delays and can sometimes push applications through faster or find appointments that are not showing as open to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an expedited appointment online?

No. The State Department's online appointment system only offers routine and expedited-by-mail service. Expedited in-person appointments must be booked by calling 1-877-487-2778. This is the only way to get same-day or next-day service.

How much does expedited in-person service cost?

The expedited in-person fee is $60 on top of the passport fee itself. A passport book costs $130 (or $100 for a card), so your total will be $190 for a book or $160 for a card. You pay both fees at your appointment.

What if my birth certificate is not an original?

You must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A photocopy or a copy you printed from an online vital records system is not acceptable. If you do not have your original, contact your state's vital records office to order a certified copy — this can take one to two weeks depending on the state.

Can I get a passport if I am not a U.S. citizen?

No. You must be a U.S. citizen to hold a U.S. passport. If you are a permanent resident or visa holder, you cannot get a U.S. passport, but you may be able to renew your passport from your country of citizenship.

What if I miss my appointment?

Call the passport agency or the main information line as soon as you realize you will miss it. Depending on how far in advance you call, they may be able to reschedule you. If you miss without calling, you will lose that appointment slot and have to call back to book a new one.