How to Schedule a Passport Appointment at Your Post Office

Book your appointment online or by phone before you visit

Most post offices that handle passports require you to book an appointment in advance — you cannot walk in and expect to be seen the same day. The fastest way to schedule is through the USPS Passport Acceptance Agent locator at usps.com/passports. Search for your zip code, and the tool shows which post offices near you accept passport applications and whether they have openings.

Once you find a location with available times, you can book directly through that same tool. Some post offices let you choose your preferred date and time; others show you what slots are open and you pick from those. If the online system is not working or you prefer to call, phone the post office directly and ask to schedule a passport appointment. Have your zip code and a few flexible dates ready when you call.

Appointment slots fill up, especially in spring and summer. If your nearest post office is fully booked, check locations a few miles away — you may find an opening sooner. Book as soon as you know you need a passport, even if your trip is months away.

Key Takeaways

• Use the USPS Passport Acceptance Agent locator at usps.com/passports to find post offices near you that accept passport applications and to see available appointment times.
• Book your appointment online through the locator tool or call the post office directly; walk-ins are not accepted at most locations.
• Bring your completed passport form, proof of citizenship, a government-issued ID, and a passport photo to your appointment.
• Appointment slots fill quickly during peak months, so book as soon as you know you need a passport.
• If your nearest post office has no openings, check other locations in your area — you may find an earlier time a short distance away.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring originals, not copies, of your proof of citizenship and government-issued ID. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport. Your government ID can be a driver's license, state ID card, or military ID — it must be current and have your photo on it.

You will also need a completed passport form. For a first passport or a replacement, use Form DS-11. Do not sign the form before you arrive — the acceptance agent must watch you sign it. You can fill it out at home and bring it unsigned, or fill it out at the post office.

Bring a passport photo that meets State Department standards: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background, and your full face visible and in focus. You can have photos taken at most post offices, pharmacies, or portrait studios. The post office photo service usually costs around $15 to $20, though prices vary by location.

How long the appointment takes and what happens during it

Plan to spend 15 to 30 minutes at your appointment. The acceptance agent will check that your form is complete, verify your identity and citizenship documents, and watch you sign the form if you have not already. They will take your photo if you did not bring one. They will also collect your payment — currently $130 for a passport book plus a $35 execution fee for first-time applicants, though fees change periodically.

The agent does not decide whether you get a passport — they only verify that your paperwork is correct and send it to the State Department. After your appointment, the State Department processes your application. Standard processing takes about four to six weeks; expedited processing takes two to three weeks but costs an extra $60.

You will receive your passport by mail at the address you provided on your form. The post office will not call you when it arrives — check your mail regularly. If you need your passport by a specific date, ask the agent about expedited processing before you leave.

Payment methods and fees at the post office

Post offices accept cash, check, money order, and most credit and debit cards. Bring enough to cover the execution fee ($35 for a first passport) plus the passport book fee ($130 for a standard book). If you choose expedited processing, add $60 to that total. Some post offices may have a small fee for passport photos if you have them taken there.

The execution fee is what you pay the post office for processing your application. The passport book fee goes to the State Department. Both are required; you cannot pay one without the other. Ask the agent before your appointment if you are unsure about the total cost, since fees can change.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

If you need to change your appointment time, go back to the USPS Passport Acceptance Agent locator and look for the option to modify or cancel your booking. The exact steps depend on which post office you booked with, since some use the online system and others manage appointments by phone. If you cannot find a way to reschedule online, call the post office directly and explain that you need to move your appointment to a different date.

Cancel only if you truly cannot make it, because canceling frees up a slot for someone else and you will have to book again, which may mean waiting longer. If you cancel and want to reschedule, use the locator tool again to find the next available time.

What to do if you cannot find an appointment near you

If every post office in your area is booked solid, you have two other routes. First, check post offices in neighboring towns or counties — you are not limited to your home zip code. Second, look for a passport acceptance facility at a library, courthouse, or city government office in your area. These facilities also require appointments and follow the same process as post offices, but they sometimes have different schedules and may have openings when post offices do not.

If you need a passport urgently and cannot get an appointment within your timeline, you can apply in person at a passport agency or passport acceptance facility that handles expedited same-day service. These are located in major cities and require a different application process. Check the State Department website for the nearest agency and call ahead to confirm they can see you without an appointment or with a same-day appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring someone else to my appointment?

Yes. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must come with you. If you are an adult, you can bring someone for support, but the acceptance agent will still need to see your documents and watch you sign the form. The person with you does not need an appointment.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can request one from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. This takes time, so start the process early. If you have a naturalization certificate or previous passport instead, bring that — the post office accepts any of these as proof of citizenship.

Do I have to pay for the appointment itself?

No. The appointment is free. You only pay the execution fee ($35) and passport book fee ($130) when you submit your application at the post office. Expedited processing costs an extra $60 if you choose it.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

Call the post office as soon as you realize you will not make it. Explain that you need to reschedule. If you do not show up and do not cancel, the slot is wasted and you will have to book a new appointment, which may take longer depending on availability.

Can I renew my passport at the post office?

It depends. If your passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and is not expired by more than five years, you may be able to renew by mail without an appointment. If you need to renew in person or your passport does not meet those conditions, you will need a post office appointment and must use Form DS-11, the same form for a first passport.