How to Schedule a Passport Appointment at Your Local Post Office

Book your passport appointment online through the USPS website or by phone

The U.S. Postal Service lets you reserve a time slot for passport services at participating post offices. You can book online at usps.com by selecting "Passport Services" and choosing your location, or call 1-877-874-6351 to schedule by phone. The online system shows available dates and times at post offices near you — some locations fill up weeks ahead, especially during spring and summer.

When you book online, you will need to enter your ZIP code or city to find nearby offices that handle passports. Not every post office offers passport services; the search results show only those that do. You will select your preferred date and time, then receive a confirmation number by email or text. Write down or save this number — you will need it when you arrive.

If you call instead, a representative will walk you through available times and confirm your appointment over the phone. They will give you a confirmation number at the end of the call. Either way, arrive 15 minutes early with all required documents.

Key Takeaways

• Book online at usps.com or by phone at 1-877-874-6351; not all post offices offer passport services, so check availability in your area first.
• You will need a confirmation number for your appointment, which you receive immediately after booking online or by phone.
• Bring your completed passport form, proof of citizenship, photo ID, and a new passport photo to your appointment.
• Processing times vary: routine service takes several weeks, while expedited service (available for an extra fee) is faster but still takes at least one week.
• If your preferred location is fully booked, check post offices in nearby towns or choose a later date, since availability changes as cancellations occur.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed Form DS-11 (for a new passport) or Form DS-82 (to renew an existing one). You can fill these out before you arrive or at the post office, though arriving with them completed saves time. Download the forms from state.gov or ask for them when you call to book.

You will also need proof of U.S. citizenship — an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport. Bring your government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID). The post office will not accept expired IDs, so check the expiration date before you go.

Bring a new passport photo that meets State Department rules: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a white or off-white background. Many post offices can take your photo on-site for a fee if you do not have one. You will also need to bring payment — the fee depends on the type of passport and service speed you choose.

Passport fees and processing times at the post office

Post offices handle the paperwork and photo for passport applications, but they do not set the fees — the State Department does. A new adult passport book (ages 16 and up) costs $130 for the passport itself plus $35 for the execution fee the post office collects. A passport card (smaller, for land and sea travel only) costs $55 plus $35. A child passport (under 16) costs $100 plus $35.

Processing time depends on how quickly you need it. Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time the State Department receives your application. Expedited service costs an extra $60 and takes 2 to 3 weeks. The post office sends your application to the State Department, which does the actual processing — the post office cannot speed this up beyond expedited service.

Pay by check, money order, or credit card at your appointment. The post office will not accept cash for the execution fee. If you need your passport faster than expedited service allows, you will have to contact the State Department directly about emergency or expedited passport services at a passport agency office, not a post office.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. A postal worker will review your documents to make sure everything is complete and correct. They will verify your identity, witness your signature on the form, and take or scan your passport photo. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

The postal worker will collect your fee and give you a receipt. They will also give you a tracking number so you can check the status of your application online at passports.state.gov. Your documents go to the State Department's processing center, not to a local office, so you cannot pick up your passport at the post office — it will be mailed to the address you provide.

If anything is missing or incorrect, the postal worker will tell you before you leave. Do not leave the appointment without fixing problems, because the State Department will reject incomplete applications and send them back, which delays everything.

If your appointment time is not available or you need to reschedule

Post office passport appointment slots fill quickly, especially in urban areas and during peak travel seasons (March through August). If your preferred location shows no openings, check post offices in nearby towns — availability varies by location. You can also check back in a few days, since cancellations open up new slots regularly.

To reschedule an existing appointment, log into your USPS account online or call 1-877-874-6351. Have your confirmation number ready. You can change the date and time as long as you do it before your original appointment time. If you miss your appointment without canceling, you will have to book a new one.

If no post office near you has openings and you need a passport urgently, contact the State Department's National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They can tell you about passport agency offices in your region, which handle expedited and emergency services but require an appointment made directly with them, not through USPS.

Passport renewal by mail as an alternative

If your passport is not damaged, was not issued when you were under 16, and expired fewer than five years ago, you may be able to renew by mail instead of visiting a post office. You send your passport, completed Form DS-82, a new photo, and payment to the State Department address on the form. This takes longer than a post office appointment — routine mail renewal takes 8 to 11 weeks — but you do not have to leave home.

Mail renewal is not available if your passport was lost or stolen, if you want to change your name, or if you need expedited service. In those cases, a post office appointment is required. Compare the post office timeline (6 to 8 weeks routine, 2 to 3 weeks expedited) against mail renewal to decide which works for your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a passport appointment for someone else?

No. The person applying for the passport must be present at the appointment. For minors under 16, both parents or guardians must attend. The postal worker will verify identity and witness signatures, so the applicant has to be there in person.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can use a naturalization certificate, a previous passport, or a court order showing citizenship. Contact the State Department's National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 before your appointment to confirm what documents they will accept in your situation.

Can the post office issue a passport on the same day?

No. The post office collects your application and sends it to the State Department, which processes it and mails the passport to you. Even expedited service takes at least one week after the State Department receives your application. The post office cannot issue passports directly.

What if I need my passport in less than a week?

Post office expedited service will not be fast enough. Contact a passport agency office directly — the State Department operates these in major cities and can handle emergency passports for same-day or next-day service if you have proof of urgent travel. Call 1-877-487-2778 to find the nearest agency and schedule an emergency appointment.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

You need an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted at post offices for passport services. If you show up without a reservation, you will be turned away. Book online or by phone before you go.