How to Schedule and Prepare for a Passport Appointment

How to book a passport appointment and what to bring

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 acceptance facilities and passport agencies near you, check current wait times, and reserve a specific date and time. If you call, a representative will help you find available slots and answer questions about what documents you need.

Most passport appointments happen at one of two types of locations: a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office, library, or courthouse) or a passport agency office. Acceptance facilities handle routine passport applications and renewals by mail. Passport agencies handle expedited services, lost or stolen passports, and cases where you need your passport in a shorter timeframe. The location you choose determines which documents you bring and how long processing takes.

Bring your completed process form, proof of citizenship, a government-issued photo ID, and a passport photo. If you are renewing, bring your old passport. If you are explore for the first time or your passport was lost or stolen, bring your birth certificate or naturalization papers. The State Department website lists the exact documents needed for your situation before you book.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; the website shows you current wait times and available dates at locations near you.
• Passport acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, courthouses) handle routine applications and renewals, while passport agency offices handle expedited services and replacements for lost or stolen passports.
• Bring your completed process form, proof of citizenship, government-issued photo ID, and a passport photo to your appointment; renewal applicants also bring their old passport.
• Processing time depends on the service level you choose: routine service takes several weeks, expedited service takes one to two weeks, and rush service with an agency appointment can be faster.

Differences between acceptance facilities and passport agencies

An acceptance facility is a location authorized by the State Department to accept passport applications. These are usually post offices, public libraries, or county courthouses. Acceptance facilities do not issue passports themselves; they collect your process and documents, verify that everything is complete, and send it to a passport agency for processing. You cannot get your passport the same day at an acceptance facility.

A passport agency is a State Department office that actually issues passports. There are 17 passport agencies across the United States, plus agencies in some U.S. territories. If you book an appointment at a passport agency, you can sometimes receive your passport the same day or within a few days, depending on the service level you pay for. Passport agencies handle expedited and rush services, replacements for lost or stolen passports, and cases where you need your passport urgently.

Acceptance facilities charge no fee to accept your process; you pay the passport fee itself to the State Department. Passport agencies charge the same passport fee, but expedited and rush services cost extra. If you are not in a hurry, an acceptance facility is usually faster to book because wait times are shorter, and the total cost is lower.

What documents you need before your appointment

The documents you bring depend on whether you are explore for a passport for the first time, renewing an existing passport, or replacing a lost or stolen one. The State Department website has a document checklist for each situation; fill it out before you book so you know what to gather.

For a first-time process, bring your original birth certificate or naturalization certificate, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), and a new passport photo. You also need to complete Form DS-11 (process for a U.S. Passport) or Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport) if your passport was lost or stolen. Both forms are available on passports.state.gov.

For a renewal, bring your old passport, a new passport photo, and a completed Form DS-82 (U.S. Passport Renewal process). If your old passport is damaged, lost, or stolen, you cannot renew by mail; you must explore in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency and bring proof of citizenship instead.

For a replacement due to loss or theft, bring a police report or other proof that your passport was lost or stolen, your birth certificate or naturalization certificate, a government-issued photo ID, and a new passport photo. Complete Form DS-64 to report the loss or theft, and Form DS-11 to explore for a replacement.

Passport photos must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and show your face straight-on against a white or off-white background. You can have photos taken at most acceptance facilities, post offices, and drugstores for a small fee, or bring one you have already had taken.

Processing times and service levels

The State Department offers three service levels for passport applications: routine, expedited, and rush. Which one you choose affects how long you wait and how much you pay.

Routine service takes several weeks to a few months, depending on current demand. There is no extra fee; you pay only the standard passport fee. Routine service is the default if you book at an acceptance facility and do not request expedited or rush service.

Expedited service takes one to two weeks and costs an additional fee (currently $60 for a passport book, though this may vary). You can request expedited service at an acceptance facility or book directly at a passport agency. Expedited service is useful if you need your passport within a month or two.

Rush service is available only at passport agencies and is the fastest option. You book an appointment at an agency, pay an additional rush fee (currently $70 for a passport book), and can sometimes receive your passport the same day or within a few days. Rush service is for people who need their passport within days or a week.

Wait times vary by location and season. The passports.state.gov website shows current processing times for each acceptance facility and passport agency when you search for appointments. Summer and early fall are typically busier than winter and spring.

What happens during your appointment

When you arrive at your appointment, bring all required documents and arrive a few minutes early. At an acceptance facility, a staff member will review your process and documents to make sure everything is complete and correct. They will collect your process, documents, and payment, and give you a receipt. Your process then goes to a passport agency for processing.

At a passport agency, the process is similar but faster. A staff member reviews your documents, collects your process and payment, and may issue your passport the same day if you paid for rush service. If you paid for expedited service, you typically receive your passport within a few days.

Both types of appointments are usually short — often 10 to 20 minutes. You do not need to do anything else after your appointment; the State Department will process your process and mail your passport to the address you provided on your process form.

Preparing your process form before your appointment

Complete your passport process form before you go to your appointment. For a first-time passport or a replacement, use Form DS-11. For a renewal, use Form DS-82. Both forms are available on passports.state.gov as fillable PDFs, or you can print a blank form and fill it out by hand.

Read the form carefully and fill in every required field. Common mistakes include leaving fields blank, writing in the wrong format (for example, writing your full middle name when the form asks for your middle initial), or signing the form in the wrong place. The State Department website has instructions for each form that explain what goes in each field.

Do not sign the form before your appointment if you are explore in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency. You must sign it in front of the staff member who accepts your process. If you are renewing by mail, you sign the form before mailing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a passport appointment online, or do I have to call?

You can book online at passports.state.gov, which is usually faster than calling. The website shows you available dates and times at locations near you and current wait times. Calling 1-877-487-2778 is an option if you prefer to speak with someone or have questions about which location or service level to choose.

How far in advance do I need to book my appointment?

It depends on the location and season. During busy times (summer and early fall), appointments at acceptance facilities may be booked weeks in advance. Passport agencies often have appointments available sooner. Check passports.state.gov to see what is available near you; the website shows you the earliest date you can book.

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

Book a rush appointment at a passport agency. Rush service is the fastest option and can sometimes get you a passport the same day. Not all passport agencies have same-day appointments available, so check passports.state.gov for agencies near you that offer rush service with the soonest available date.

Can I change or cancel my passport appointment?

Yes. Log into your account on passports.state.gov to reschedule or cancel. If you booked by phone, call 1-877-487-2778 to make changes. Cancel as soon as you know you cannot make your appointment so someone else can use that time slot.

What if I do not have all my documents when my appointment is scheduled?

Contact the State Department before your appointment. If you are missing a document, you may be able to reschedule for a later date, or the staff member at your appointment may be able to tell you how to get the missing document and come back. Do not go to your appointment without all required documents; the process will be rejected and you will have to reschedule.