How to Schedule a Passport Appointment at Your Local Office

How to book a passport appointment

You book a passport appointment through the State Department's official website at passports.state.gov, or by calling 1-877-487-2778. The website lets you search for an appointment at the passport acceptance facility or passport agency nearest you, then reserve a specific date and time. You do not need to create an account — you can book without logging in.

When you arrive at your appointment, bring the documents the State Department requires: a completed process form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal), a government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo. If you are renewing by mail instead, you do not need an appointment. The State Department's website tells you which route applies to your situation.

Appointment availability varies by location and season. Urban passport agencies often fill up weeks in advance, while smaller acceptance facilities in rural areas may have openings sooner. If the nearest location has no openings, search a facility 30 or 50 miles away — you can travel to any office in the country.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; no account is required.
• You can search for appointments at any passport agency or acceptance facility in the country, not just your local office.
• Bring your completed process form, photo ID, proof of citizenship, and passport photo to your appointment.
• If your nearest location is fully booked, check facilities farther away — availability changes daily and varies widely by region.
• Some passport services (like expedited processing) require an in-person appointment, while standard renewals can be done by mail without one.

What documents you need before booking

Have your documents ready before you search for an appointment time. You will need a completed process form (either DS-11 for new passports or DS-82 for renewals), a valid government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or state ID, proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, and a passport photo that meets State Department standards (2x2 inches, taken within the last six months).

If you are explore for your first passport or your passport was lost or stolen, you must use form DS-11 and appear in person — there is no mail-in option. If your passport is still valid and you are straightforward renewing it, you may be able to renew by mail using form DS-82 instead, which means you do not need an appointment at all. The State Department's website has a tool that tells you which form and which process applies to you.

Searching for available appointment times

On passports.state.gov, click "Schedule an Appointment" and enter your ZIP code or city. The site shows you all passport agencies and acceptance facilities within your search radius, along with their current availability. You can expand the search radius to 50 miles or more if nearby locations are booked.

Each location displays available dates and times in a calendar view. Click on an open slot to reserve it. The system will ask you to enter your name, date of birth, and contact information, then confirm your appointment. You will receive a confirmation number by email or text — save this number and bring it to your appointment.

Availability changes constantly. If you do not see an opening at your preferred location, check again the next day or try a different facility. Some people find that searching early in the morning or late in the evening reveals cancellations that were just released.

Expedited and emergency appointments

If you need your passport within two to three weeks, you can request expedited processing at your appointment. Expedited service costs extra (the fee varies by year) and requires you to appear in person — you cannot do it by mail. Tell the staff member at your appointment that you need expedited processing, and they will add it to your process.

If you need a passport within one week or are traveling within days, some passport agencies offer emergency same-day or next-day appointments. These are extremely limited and typically reserved for international travel that cannot be postponed. Call 1-877-487-2778 and explain your situation to see if an emergency appointment is possible in your area.

What to expect at your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early with all your documents and your confirmation number. The staff will review your process, check your documents, examine your passport photo, and take your payment. Processing time after your appointment depends on whether you chose standard or expedited service — standard processing usually takes several weeks, while expedited takes two to three weeks.

You will be asked how you want to receive your new passport: standard mail or expedited mail (which costs extra). If you are traveling soon, expedited mail is faster than expedited processing alone. Some facilities also offer in-person pickup if you need your passport the same day, though this is rare and not available everywhere.

If you cannot make your appointment

Cancel your appointment as soon as you know you cannot attend. Go back to passports.state.gov, find your confirmation number, and cancel through the website. This frees up the time slot for someone else and prevents a no-show on your record.

If you miss an appointment without canceling, you may lose your process fee and have to start over. Some facilities will hold your documents for a short time, but this varies. Call the facility directly if you miss your appointment and ask whether your documents are still there.

Passport acceptance facilities versus passport agencies

The State Department operates two types of locations: passport agencies (which handle all services) and passport acceptance facilities (which are usually in post offices, libraries, or county courthouses and handle new applications and renewals only). Both can process your process, but passport agencies sometimes have more availability because they are dedicated to passports full-time.

Acceptance facilities cannot issue emergency or same-day passports — if you need one of those services, you must go to a passport agency. The appointment system shows you which type each location is, so you can choose based on what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

No. Each person must have their own appointment. If you are a parent booking for a minor child, you will need to provide the child's information, but the child must be present at the appointment with a parent or guardian. You cannot send someone else to pick up a passport on your behalf.

What if I do not have a birth certificate yet?

You can still book an appointment, but you will need to bring an alternative proof of citizenship such as a naturalization certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or valid passport. Contact the facility before your appointment if you are unsure whether your documents will work.

Do I need to print my confirmation number?

You should bring it, but most facilities can look up your appointment by name and date of birth if you do not have it. Printing or saving it on your phone makes the check-in process faster.

How far in advance should I book?

Book as soon as you know you need a passport. During peak travel seasons (spring and summer), appointments fill up four to eight weeks ahead. During slower months, you may find openings two to four weeks out. If you need your passport within two weeks, call 1-877-487-2778 to ask about expedited or emergency options.

Can I change my appointment time after I book it?

Yes. Go back to passports.state.gov, cancel your current appointment, and book a new one. You will not lose your fee — you are straightforward moving your reservation to a different time slot.