How to Renew Your Passport by Appointment

Book a Passport Renewal Appointment at Your Local Acceptance Facility

You can renew your passport by scheduling an appointment at a passport acceptance facility near you instead of walking in without one. Most acceptance facilities — including post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices — now let you book a time slot online or by phone. This means you arrive at your scheduled time, submit your documents, and leave without waiting in a long line with other applicants.

The appointment system works differently depending on which facility you choose. Some use the State Department's official scheduling tool, while others manage their own booking systems. Before you start gathering documents, find out which acceptance facility is closest to you and whether it takes appointments, because not all of them do yet.

Key Takeaways

• You can book a passport renewal appointment online through the State Department's website or by calling the facility directly.
• Bring your current passport, a completed Form DS-11 or DS-82 (depending on your situation), a new photo, and proof of citizenship or identity — the exact documents depend on which form you use.
• Appointment slots fill up weeks or months in advance in busy areas, so book as soon as you know you need to renew.
• Processing time after your appointment is separate from your appointment time — standard service takes 6 to 8 weeks, and expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks, both measured from when the facility receives your process.

Finding and Booking Your Appointment Slot

Start by visiting the State Department's passport acceptance facility locator at travel.state.gov. Enter your city or zip code to see which facilities near you accept passport renewals by appointment. The locator shows you the facility's address, phone number, hours, and whether it currently has appointments open.

Once you find a facility, click on it to see if you can book online through their system. If the facility uses the State Department's central scheduling tool, you will see available dates and times right there. If it manages its own calendar, you will see a link to that facility's booking page or a phone number to call. Some facilities still require you to call to schedule, so do not assume online booking is available everywhere.

Book your appointment as soon as you see an opening. In major cities and during peak travel seasons (spring and summer), appointment slots can fill up 6 to 12 weeks ahead. If you do not see any open slots, check back in a few days — facilities sometimes release new time slots weekly.

What Documents to Bring to Your Appointment

The documents you need depend on whether you are renewing by mail or in person. If you are renewing in person at an acceptance facility, you will use Form DS-11 (process for a U.S. Passport). If you are renewing by mail, you use Form DS-82 (U.S. Passport Renewal process). Most people renewing by appointment use Form DS-11 because they are going in person.

For a Form DS-11 renewal, bring these documents:

• Your current passport (or a certified copy if it was lost or stolen)
• A completed Form DS-11 (print it before you go, or fill it out at the facility)
• A new passport photo (4 by 6 inches, color or black and white, taken within the last 6 months)
• A government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID)
• Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport)
• The fee (currently $130 for a passport book plus $35 execution fee for in-person renewal, though fees change periodically)

If your passport was damaged, lost, or stolen, you cannot use the mail-in Form DS-82 — you must renew in person with Form DS-11. Bring a police report if your passport was stolen.

What Happens During Your Appointment

When you arrive at your appointment time, check in at the desk and give them your appointment confirmation (usually a confirmation number from your booking). A staff member will review your documents to make sure everything is there and filled out correctly. They will take your photo, collect your fee, and have you sign the process.

The entire appointment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. The facility does not issue your passport on the spot — they submit your process to the State Department's processing center, and you receive your new passport by mail weeks later. The appointment is only the submission step.

Ask the staff member for a receipt showing your process was submitted. Keep this receipt until your passport arrives, because it proves you applied if anyone asks about your status.

Processing Time After Your Appointment

After your appointment, the acceptance facility sends your process to a State Department processing center. From that point, standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks, and expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. These timelines are measured from the day the processing center receives your process, not from your appointment date.

You can pay an extra fee (currently $60) to expedite your process if you need your passport sooner. Request expedited service at your appointment, and the facility will add it to your process. Expedited service does not speed up the appointment itself — it only speeds up the processing after the facility submits your documents.

Check the status of your process online at travel.state.gov/passport/status. You will need your receipt number from your appointment. The website shows you whether your process is being processed, approved, or ready to ship.

When You Cannot Renew by Appointment

Some situations require you to renew in person but do not allow you to use an appointment slot. If your passport was issued when you were under 16, you must renew in person, but some facilities may not have appointment availability for this type of renewal. Call the facility directly to ask whether they can schedule you for a minor's passport renewal.

If your passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you may be able to renew by mail using Form DS-82, which means you do not need an appointment at all — you mail your documents directly to the State Department. Check the State Department's website to see whether your passport is old enough to may have access to for mail renewal.

If no appointment slots are open at nearby facilities, you have two options: wait for new slots to open (check back weekly), or visit a facility without an appointment and wait in line. Walk-in service is still available at most acceptance facilities, though wait times can be several hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport by appointment if it expires soon?

Yes. Book your appointment as soon as you know you need to renew, even if your passport does not expire for several months. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks after your appointment, so if you need your passport within that timeframe, request expedited service at your appointment for an extra fee.

What if I miss my appointment?

Contact the facility as soon as you realize you will miss it. Many facilities let you reschedule online or by phone. If you do not show up and do not cancel, you may lose your slot and have to book a new one, which could mean waiting weeks for the next opening.

Do I need an appointment to renew my passport by mail?

No. Mail-in renewal using Form DS-82 does not require an appointment. You print the form, gather your documents, and mail everything to the address on the form. Mail-in renewal takes the same 6 to 8 weeks as in-person renewal, unless you pay for expedited service.

Can I bring someone else to my appointment?

Yes. You can bring a family member or friend, but only you need to be present for the actual submission. If you are renewing a minor's passport, a parent or guardian must be present.

What if I need my passport before my appointment date?

If your appointment is weeks away and you need your passport sooner, visit a facility without an appointment and wait in line. Walk-in service is available at most acceptance facilities during their regular hours, though you may wait several hours. Alternatively, if you have a passport acceptance facility that offers expedited in-person service, call and ask whether they can fit you in sooner.