How to Schedule a New Passport Appointment

How to book a passport appointment at a passport acceptance facility

You can book a passport appointment through the State Department's official appointment system at passports.state.gov. The site lets you search for nearby acceptance facilities, see available dates and times, and reserve a specific slot. You will need to enter your zip code, choose how soon you want to be seen, and pick from the locations that appear. The system shows you openings weeks or months ahead depending on demand in your area.

When you find a time that works, you will create a login or sign in with an existing account. The appointment confirmation will arrive by email with your confirmation number, the facility address, what documents to bring, and the exact time to arrive. Print this confirmation or save it on your phone — you will need to show it when you check in.

Some passport acceptance facilities also let you book through their own websites or phone lines. County clerk offices, post offices, and library passport programs may have their own scheduling systems. Check the facility's website first to see if they take direct bookings, because their slots sometimes fill faster than the state system.

Key Takeaways

• The State Department's passports.state.gov is the main place to search for nearby facilities and book an appointment in most areas.
• You will need your zip code and preferred dates to search, and the system shows you available times weeks or months in advance.
• Your confirmation email contains your confirmation number, facility address, required documents, and arrival time.
• Some local facilities like post offices and county clerks have their own booking systems that may have different availability than the state website.
• Arrive 15 minutes early with your confirmation number and all required documents listed in your confirmation email.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed passport process form, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship. Proof of citizenship means an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport. A photocopy will not work — the acceptance agent must see the original document.

You will also need a new passport photo unless you are renewing by mail and your previous passport photo is still acceptable. The photo must meet 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. Many CVS, Walgreens, and local photo studios offer passport photos for $10 to $20.

Bring the confirmation email or printed confirmation with your confirmation number. If you are explore for a minor, bring the child's birth certificate, both parents' IDs, and a notarized consent form if one parent is not present. The specific requirements vary slightly by state, so check your confirmation email for the exact list for your facility.

How far in advance to schedule your appointment

Book your appointment as soon as you know you need a passport. Availability depends on your location and the time of year. In rural areas or during slow seasons, you may find openings within days or weeks. In major cities or during summer travel season, openings can be weeks or months away.

The State Department processes standard passports in 6 to 8 weeks after your appointment, or 3 to 5 weeks with expedited service (which costs extra). If you need your passport sooner, expedited processing can be worth the fee, but you still have to wait for your appointment slot first. Plan backward from your travel date: if you leave in eight weeks, book now. If you leave in four weeks, you will likely need expedited processing and should call ahead to see if your facility can rush your appointment.

If no appointments are available in your area, check neighboring counties or cities. Some people drive an hour or more to reach a facility with sooner openings. You can also call the passport acceptance facility directly — staff sometimes know about cancellations before they show up online.

What happens during your appointment

You will check in at the front desk with your confirmation number and photo ID. The acceptance agent will review your documents, ask you questions to verify your identity and citizenship, and take a new photo if you did not bring one. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the facility is.

The agent will collect your process form, documents, and payment. Standard passport fees are set by the federal government and do not vary by location, but acceptance facilities may charge an additional execution fee. Bring a check or money order, or ask ahead whether the facility takes credit cards or cash — policies differ.

You will not receive your passport at the appointment. The facility sends your process to a State Department processing center. You will receive your new passport by mail at the address you provided on your process. Track your process status online using your confirmation number at passports.state.gov.

If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment

Log back into passports.state.gov with the same account you used to book. Your appointments will appear on your dashboard. Click the appointment you want to change and select the option to reschedule or cancel. The system will show you other available times at the same facility or let you search for a different location.

If you cannot access the website or need to cancel when ready, call the facility directly. The phone number is in your confirmation email. Some facilities allow cancellations by phone but require rescheduling through the website.

Canceling more than a few days ahead usually opens your slot for other people. If you cancel close to your appointment time, the facility may not be able to fill the slot, so try to give as much notice as you can.

Passport appointments for minors and special situations

A minor's passport appointment works the same way, but both parents or guardians must be present with photo ID and the child's birth certificate. If one parent cannot attend, bring a notarized consent form from that parent. The child does not need a photo ID, but they do need to be present for the appointment.

If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, bring a police report or other proof of loss along with your other documents. If your passport was damaged, bring the damaged passport itself. These situations do not change the appointment process, but the acceptance agent needs to see the evidence.

If you have a name change due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the original or certified copy of the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The acceptance agent will review it and note the change in your new passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a passport appointment without a computer or internet?

You can call the passport acceptance facility directly and ask if they book appointments by phone. Not all facilities offer phone booking, but many do. The facility's phone number is listed on passports.state.gov when you search for locations in your area. Some libraries and community centers also have computers you can use to book online.

What if I miss my appointment?

Contact the facility as soon as you realize you will not make it. If you cancel or reschedule before your time, you free up the slot for someone else. If you do not show up and do not cancel, you lose your appointment and will have to book a new one through the website or by calling the facility.

Do I need to bring my Social Security number to my appointment?

You do not need to bring your Social Security card, but you will need to provide your number on the process form. The acceptance agent will ask you to verify it verbally during your appointment. Bring your photo ID instead.

How do I know if my appointment is confirmed?

Check your email for the confirmation message from passports.state.gov. It will include your confirmation number, facility name and address, date and time, and a list of documents to bring. If you do not see an email within a few minutes of booking, check your spam folder or log back into your account on passports.state.gov to view your appointments.

Can I change my appointment to a different facility?

Yes. Log into passports.state.gov, find your appointment, and select reschedule. The system will let you search for a different location and pick a new date and time. You can move your appointment to any acceptance facility in the country, though availability will vary by location.