How to Book a U.S. Passport Appointment

Where and how to book your passport appointment

You book a U.S. passport appointment through the State Department's official appointment system at passports.state.gov. The website lets you choose your location, see available dates and times, and reserve a specific slot. You do not need to call or visit in person to book — everything happens online.

The appointment system shows you passport acceptance facilities near your address. These are usually post offices, libraries, or county clerk offices that the State Department has authorized. When you search by ZIP code, the system lists which locations have openings and how far out those dates are. Availability changes constantly as people cancel or new slots open.

You will need to create a login account on the State Department website before you can book. This account stores your appointment details and lets you check your status later. You can book for yourself or for a child, but each person needs their own appointment.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov using your ZIP code to find nearby locations and available dates.
• You must create a State Department account before booking, and each person explore for a passport needs their own appointment.
• Appointment availability varies by location and season, with some areas showing dates weeks or months out and others with shorter waits.
• Bring the documents listed on your confirmation email on the day of your appointment, or your appointment will be cancelled and you will need to book again.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Your confirmation email from passports.state.gov lists exactly which documents you need. The list depends on whether you are explore for your first passport, renewing an existing one, or replacing a lost or damaged passport. Do not guess — bring what the email says, because the acceptance agent will turn you away if documents are missing.

For a first-time passport, you typically need a completed process form (DS-11), a government-issued photo ID, a birth certificate, and a new passport photo. For a renewal, you may only need your old passport and a new photo, depending on your age and how long ago it was issued. If your passport was lost or stolen, you need to report it to the State Department before your appointment, and you will need additional forms.

Bring originals, not copies, unless the confirmation email specifically says a copy is acceptable. The acceptance agent will not process your process without the right paperwork, and you will lose your appointment slot.

Timing: how far in advance to book

Book as soon as you know you need a passport. Availability depends on the season and your location. In busy months (spring and summer), some areas show appointments 6 to 12 weeks out. In slower months, you may find slots within 2 to 4 weeks. Rural areas and smaller cities sometimes have shorter waits than major metropolitan areas.

The State Department processes passports in different timeframes depending on how you explore. If you book an in-person appointment at an acceptance facility, you are explore for a passport in person, which is the standard route. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks but costs extra.

If you need your passport urgently, check whether your location offers expedited service at the appointment itself. Not all acceptance facilities do. If expedited service is not available at your location, you may need to travel to a larger city or explore at a passport agency office, which handles expedited cases.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The acceptance agent will review your documents, ask you to sign your process in front of them, and take your photo if you did not bring one or if the one you brought does not meet requirements. The agent verifies that everything matches — your name on your birth certificate, your ID, your process form — and collects your payment.

You do not receive your passport at the appointment. The agent sends your process to the State Department's processing center, and you receive your passport by mail weeks later. The State Department will send you an email when your passport is ready to pick up or when it ships, depending on which service you chose.

Bring a check or money order for the process fee, or ask beforehand whether the facility accepts card payments. Fees vary depending on whether you are explore for a passport book, a passport card, or both, and whether you chose standard or expedited processing.

Cancelling or rescheduling your appointment

Log into your account on passports.state.gov to cancel or reschedule. You can change your appointment to a different date or location as long as you do it before your scheduled time. If you cancel and do not reschedule, your appointment slot opens up for someone else.

If you miss your appointment without cancelling, you lose the slot and will need to book a new one. Some facilities may flag your account, so cancel if your plans change.

If you cannot find an appointment near you

If passports.state.gov shows no availability in your area for weeks, check nearby cities or counties. You can book an appointment at any acceptance facility in the country, not just the one closest to you. Some people travel to less busy areas to get earlier appointments.

You can also contact your local passport acceptance facility directly to ask about cancellations. Facilities sometimes have same-day or next-day slots that open when people cancel, and staff may tell you when to check back online.

If you need your passport very urgently, look for a passport agency office in your state. These offices handle expedited cases and sometimes have appointments sooner than acceptance facilities. Passport agencies are located in major cities and require a different booking process through passports.state.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

You can book an appointment for a child or dependent, but you must have their birth certificate and Social Security number. Each person needs their own appointment slot. If you are booking for a minor, you will need to answer questions about custody and parental consent during the booking process.

What if I do not have a government ID?

You still need to bring an ID to your appointment. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport card. If you do not have any of these, ask the acceptance facility what alternative documents they will accept — some facilities accept school IDs, employee IDs, or other forms of identification.

Can I change my appointment after I book it?

Yes. Log into your account on passports.state.gov and select your appointment to reschedule or cancel. You can move it to a different date, time, or location. Changes must be made before your appointment time, or you will need to book a new slot.

What if the State Department website is down?

The appointment system occasionally goes offline for maintenance. If you cannot access passports.state.gov, try again in a few hours. You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to ask about availability or to get help with your account.

Do I need an appointment if I am renewing by mail?

No. Mail renewal does not require an appointment. You submit your old passport, a new photo, and your process by mail directly to the State Department. You only need an in-person appointment if you are explore for your first passport, if your passport was lost or stolen, or if you are renewing and do not meet the mail renewal requirements.