How to Schedule a U.S. Passport Appointment

Where to book your passport appointment

You schedule a U.S. passport appointment through the State Department's official appointment system at passports.state.gov. This is the only place to book. You cannot call ahead, walk in without a reservation, or book through a third-party website.

The system shows you available dates and times at passport acceptance facilities near your zip code. Acceptance facilities include post offices, libraries, county clerk offices, and dedicated passport acceptance agencies. The availability changes daily — some locations have openings weeks out, while others may show no availability for months.

If you cannot find an appointment near you, check back the next day. Cancellations open up regularly, and the system updates overnight. You can also search a wider radius by entering a different zip code, though you will have to travel to that location for your appointment.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov only — no phone booking or walk-ins without a reservation.
• The system shows real-time availability at acceptance facilities near you, and openings change daily as people cancel.
• You will need your Social Security number, a valid ID, and proof of citizenship to complete the booking and bring to your appointment.
• Routine service takes four to six weeks after your appointment; expedited service takes two to three weeks and costs extra.
• If no appointments are available in your area, checking back daily or searching nearby zip codes often reveals openings within a week or two.

What you need before you book

Have these documents ready before you go to passports.state.gov: your Social Security number, a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), and proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport). If you are renewing a passport you still have, you may not need all of these — the system will tell you what applies to your situation.

You will also need to know whether you want routine service (four to six weeks) or expedited service (two to three weeks, with an additional fee). Expedited service is not available at all facilities, so the appointment system will show you which locations offer it.

If you are explore for a passport for a child under 16, both parents or guardians must be present at the appointment, and you will need the child's birth certificate and proof of the parents' relationship to the child.

Steps to complete your online appointment booking

Go to passports.state.gov and select "Book an Appointment." The system will ask you to enter your zip code and choose how far you are willing to travel. It then shows available dates and times at nearby facilities.

Click on a date and time that works for you. The system will ask you to create an account or sign in if you already have one. You will enter your name, email address, phone number, and the information from your ID and proof of citizenship. Do not submit documents yet — you will bring originals to your appointment.

Review your information, confirm the appointment details, and submit. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment number, location, date, and time. Save this email or take a screenshot. You will need to show your appointment confirmation when you arrive.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring the original documents you listed when you booked: your valid government ID, proof of citizenship, and Social Security card (or a document with your Social Security number). Bring your appointment confirmation email or the confirmation number written down. Bring a completed passport process form DS-11 (for new passports) or DS-82 (for renewals) — you can fill this out before you go or at the facility.

Bring one passport photo if you are explore for a new passport. You can have this taken at the facility for a fee, or bring one you had taken elsewhere. 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.

If you are paying by check or money order, bring that. Most facilities also take credit cards and debit cards. Fees vary depending on whether you want routine or expedited service and whether you are explore for a new passport or renewing.

If no appointments are available in your area

Availability changes constantly. Check passports.state.gov again the next day — the system updates overnight and cancellations often appear. You can also set up a search alert on some third-party tracking websites (not affiliated with the State Department) that monitor passports.state.gov and notify you when new slots open, though you will still book directly through the official site.

If your travel date is urgent, search a wider geographic area. You may find appointments available 50 or 100 miles away. If you can travel, this is often faster than waiting for a local opening.

Another option is to visit a passport agency in person during their walk-in hours. Passport agencies (different from acceptance facilities) are located in major cities and accept walk-ins for emergency travel within 14 days. You will need proof of your travel plans (a ticket or itinerary) and your documents. Wait times can be several hours, but you may leave with a passport the same day.

Routine versus expedited service

Routine service takes four to six weeks from the date of your appointment. Expedited service takes two to three weeks and costs an additional fee (the amount varies by year). You choose which service you want when you book your appointment, and not all facilities offer expedited service.

Expedited service does not mean you will receive your passport at your appointment. You will still leave the facility without it. The difference is how fast the State Department processes your process after your appointment. If you need a passport within days, expedited service may not be fast enough — in that case, visit a passport agency in person for emergency service.

After your appointment

You will not receive your passport at your appointment. The acceptance facility sends your process to a State Department processing center. You can track the status of your process at passports.state.gov using your process number and date of birth.

The State Department will mail your passport to the address you provided when you booked. Routine service takes four to six weeks; expedited takes two to three weeks. If you selected expedited service and paid for it, your process moves to the front of the queue.

If you need your passport before the estimated arrival date, contact the State Department's passport information line at 1-877-487-2778. They can tell you whether your passport has been mailed and provide tracking information if it has.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my appointment date or time after I book?

Yes. Log into your account at passports.state.gov, find your appointment, and select the option to reschedule. You can choose a different date and time at the same facility or a different facility. If you need to cancel instead, you can do that through your account as well.

What if I miss my appointment?

Contact the acceptance facility directly using the phone number shown in your confirmation email. Explain that you missed your appointment and ask whether you can reschedule. Many facilities will let you book a new appointment without penalty, but some may require you to start over. It is faster to call than to wait for an opening to appear online.

Do I need an appointment if I am renewing my passport by mail?

No. If your passport is still valid or expired less than five years ago (less than three years for passports issued to people under 16), you can renew by mail without an appointment. You will mail your process, documents, and payment to the address listed on the State Department website. This takes four to six weeks for routine service.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person at your appointment. The acceptance facility will verify your identity using your government-issued ID. If you cannot make your appointment, reschedule it through your account at passports.state.gov.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still book an appointment. When you reach the Social Security number field on passports.state.gov, select the option for "Do not have a Social Security number" and enter your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or leave it blank. Bring documentation of your status to your appointment — the acceptance facility staff will advise you on what is needed.