How to Schedule a Passport Appointment at Your Local Acceptance Facility

Where to book your passport appointment

You schedule a passport appointment through the State Department's official appointment system, not through a private company or third-party service. Go to passports.state.gov and select "Schedule an Appointment" to find acceptance facilities near you.

An acceptance facility is a post office, library, courthouse, or government office that takes passport applications and photos. The State Department maintains the list of all facilities that offer appointments. When you search by zip code or city, the system shows you which ones have open slots and what dates are available.

You do not need an appointment to renew a passport by mail if you meet certain conditions — your passport is not damaged, you were an adult when it was issued, and it expired less than five years ago. But if you need a new passport, a replacement for a lost or stolen one, or your first passport ever, you must book an in-person appointment at an acceptance facility.

Key Takeaways

• Book appointments only through passports.state.gov, the official State Department website.
• Acceptance facilities include post offices, libraries, and courthouses, and you search for them by location on the State Department site.
• Bring your completed process form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal by mail), proof of citizenship, a photo ID, and a passport photo.
• Appointment availability varies by location and season; rural areas and off-peak times often have shorter wait times than urban centers during summer.
• You can cancel or reschedule your appointment through the same State Department system if your plans change.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed process form before you arrive. For a new passport or replacement, use Form DS-11. For a passport renewal by mail, use Form DS-82 (though you can only use this form if you meet the conditions listed above). You can print these forms from state.gov or fill them out by hand — the acceptance facility will not fill them out for you.

You also need proof of U.S. citizenship. This means a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport. The birth certificate must be an official certified copy with a raised seal, not a photocopy or hospital record. If you were born outside the United States, bring your naturalization papers or a Certificate of Citizenship.

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or military ID. If you do not have one, call the acceptance facility ahead of time to ask what they will accept instead. You also need a passport photo, which must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and show your face straight-on against a white background. Many post offices and drugstores take passport photos on the spot if you do not have one ready.

How to find appointment slots and book your time

On passports.state.gov, enter your zip code or city name. The system shows you all acceptance facilities within a certain distance and lists which ones have appointments available. Click on a facility to see the calendar of open dates and times.

Appointment slots fill up quickly in major cities and during peak travel seasons (spring and summer). If you see no availability near you, try searching a wider radius or a different city. Rural post offices and smaller towns often have more open slots. You can also check back daily — cancellations happen regularly and new slots are released as the date approaches.

Once you choose a date and time, the system will ask for your name, phone number, and email address. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details. Save this email or print it — you do not need to show it at the facility, but it has your confirmation number in case you need to reschedule.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The acceptance facility staff will review your process and documents, take your photo if you did not bring one, collect your fee, and answer any questions. The appointment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

You will pay the process fee (which varies depending on whether you are getting a new passport, a replacement, or a renewal) plus a service fee charged by the acceptance facility. Most facilities accept cash, check, and card, but call ahead if you want to confirm payment methods.

After your appointment, your process goes to the State Department for processing. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks but costs extra. You can check the status of your process on the State Department website using your confirmation number.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

If you need to change your appointment, go back to passports.state.gov and select "Manage Your Appointment." Enter your confirmation number and the phone number or email you used when you booked. You can then cancel or reschedule to a different date and time at the same facility or a different one.

Canceling frees up the slot for someone else. If you reschedule, the system will show you available times at your chosen facility. There is no penalty for rescheduling, and you can do it as many times as you need before your appointment date.

What to do if you cannot find an appointment near you

If your local acceptance facilities are fully booked, you have a few options. First, expand your search radius on the State Department site — you may find availability 30 or 40 miles away. Second, check back frequently; cancellations happen daily and new slots open as the appointment date gets closer.

Third, if you need your passport urgently, you can explore for expedited processing at your appointment, which speeds up the State Department's work after you submit your process. This costs more but does not change how fast you can book the appointment itself.

Fourth, if you are traveling within two weeks and have no appointment available, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They can sometimes direct you to a facility with emergency appointments or tell you about passport acceptance locations you may have missed in your search.

Common mistakes to avoid when scheduling

Do not book through a third-party website that charges a fee to schedule your appointment. The official State Department system is free. Some private companies advertise passport scheduling services and charge $50 to $200 on top of government fees — this money does not speed up your process or may provide an appointment.

Do not assume you can renew by mail without checking the rules first. If your passport was issued when you were under 16, or if it has been lost or stolen, or if it is damaged, you must go in person. Sending in the wrong form wastes time.

Do not show up without your documents. The acceptance facility cannot issue a passport without proof of citizenship and a photo ID. If you arrive unprepared, your appointment slot is lost and you have to reschedule.

Do not confuse the acceptance facility appointment with the State Department processing time. Booking an appointment does not mean your passport will be ready in a few days. After your appointment, the State Department still needs 6 to 8 weeks (or 2 to 3 weeks with expedited processing) to make and mail your passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment without filling out the process form first?

You can schedule the appointment without the form, but you must bring the completed form to your appointment. The acceptance facility staff will not fill it out for you. read Form DS-11 or DS-82 from state.gov, fill it out by hand or print it, and bring it with you.

What if I lost my birth certificate?

Contact your state's vital records office to order a certified copy. This usually takes one to two weeks. You cannot use a photocopy or hospital birth record. If you need your passport urgently, call the National Passport Information Center to ask about other documents that might work in your state.

Do I need to bring my confirmation email to my appointment?

No, but it is helpful to have it in case there is a question about your appointment time or date. The acceptance facility staff can look up your appointment using your name and phone number even without the email.

Can I reschedule my appointment to a different city?

Yes. When you reschedule through passports.state.gov, you can choose a different acceptance facility in a different city. The system will show you available times at any facility you select.

What if my appointment is coming up and I do not have a passport photo yet?

Many post offices, drugstores, and photography studios take passport photos while you wait. You can get one the day before your appointment or even the morning of, as long as the photo meets the requirements — 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, white background, and your face straight-on.