How to Schedule and Prepare for Your U.S. Passport Application Appointment

Book your passport appointment through the State Department's official system or at an acceptance facility near you

You cannot walk into a passport office without an appointment. The State Department requires you to schedule a time slot in advance through their online appointment system at passports.state.gov, or by calling 1-877-487-2778. Some passport acceptance facilities — post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices — also let you book appointments directly through their own systems.

The appointment type you need depends on whether you already have a passport. If you are explore for your first passport or your passport was lost or stolen, you need an in-person process appointment. If you are renewing a passport that is still in your possession, you may be able to renew by mail instead, which does not require an appointment. Replacement appointments are for passports that were damaged or need a name change.

Appointment availability varies by location and season. Passport offices in major cities often book weeks or months out, especially in spring and summer. Rural areas and smaller cities typically have shorter wait times. If your appointment date is too far away, check whether a different location near you has an earlier opening.

Key Takeaways

• Schedule your appointment at passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; walk-ins are not accepted at any passport facility.
• Bring your completed Form DS-11 (for new passports) or Form DS-82 (for renewals), a valid photo ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo meeting State Department standards.
• Appointment times are typically 15 to 30 minutes long, but arrive 15 minutes early to check in and complete any final paperwork.
• If you cannot make your appointment, cancel it through the same system where you booked it so someone else can use that time slot.
• Processing times vary: routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks, expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks, and emergency same-day service is available only at passport agencies in major cities.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring originals, not copies, of your proof of citizenship. This means your birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad. A certified copy from the vital records office in your state counts; a photocopy does not. If you were born outside the United States and do not have a consular report, bring your original birth certificate and evidence that at least one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth.

You also need a valid photo ID issued by a government agency — a driver's license, state ID card, military ID, or previous passport all work. Bring the original. If you do not have a government-issued photo ID, tell the passport office when you book your appointment; they can tell you what alternatives they accept.

Your passport photo 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 cannot wear sunglasses, a hat, or a uniform unless for religious reasons. Many pharmacies and post offices offer passport photo services for $10 to $20. Do not use a selfie or a photo from social media, even if it meets the size requirement — the State Department rejects them regularly.

Bring your completed process form. For a new passport, that is Form DS-11. For a renewal, it is Form DS-82 (if you are renewing by mail) or Form DS-11 (if renewing in person). You can fill out the form online at passports.state.gov and print it, or fill it out by hand before you arrive. Do not sign the form until you are at the appointment — the passport officer must witness your signature.

Processing speed and when to schedule your appointment

The State Department offers three processing speeds, and the one you choose affects how soon you receive your passport. Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks and costs the standard fee. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks and adds a $60 fee on top of the process fee. Emergency same-day service is available only at passport agencies in major cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Denver, and a few others) and requires proof of international travel within 14 days.

If you are traveling within the next two weeks, you cannot get a passport in time through normal channels. Your only option is to visit a passport agency in person and show proof of your travel plans — a flight confirmation, hotel reservation, or cruise ticket. Even then, same-day service is not may provide; the agency will tell you on the day of your visit whether they can issue your passport before you leave.

Book your appointment as soon as you know you need a passport. If you are traveling in three to four months, routine service is fine. If you are traveling in six to twelve weeks, consider expedited service to give yourself a buffer in case of delays. If your travel is sooner than six weeks away, call 1-877-487-2778 to ask about expedited service or emergency appointments.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. You will check in at the desk, and staff will verify your appointment and ask you to confirm your information. They will review your documents to make sure everything is there and complete. If anything is missing or incorrect, they may ask you to fix it on the spot or reschedule.

The passport officer will ask you questions about your process — your full legal name, date of birth, where you were born, and whether you have ever held a passport before. Answer honestly. If you are explore for your child's passport, the officer will ask both parents or guardians present to confirm they consent. If only one parent is present, bring a notarized consent form from the other parent.

You will sign your process in front of the officer. They will take your photo at the appointment unless you brought one that meets their standards. They will collect your documents, take payment, and give you a receipt. Keep this receipt — it is your proof that you applied, and you will need it to track your passport or pick it up when it is ready.

Fees and payment methods

The cost of a passport depends on the type and your age. A passport book for an adult (16 and older) costs $130 for a new passport or $110 for a renewal. A passport card (a wallet-sized ID valid for travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean by land or sea) costs $35 for a new card or $30 for a renewal. You can get both a book and a card together for $165 for a new passport or $140 for a renewal.

Expedited service adds $60. Execution fees (the fee the passport office charges to process your process) are included in the prices above. Some passport acceptance facilities charge an additional acceptance fee of $35, but passport agencies do not.

Payment methods vary by location. Most passport agencies accept cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Some acceptance facilities accept only certain methods. Ask when you book your appointment or check the facility's website.

Canceling or rescheduling your appointment

If you cannot make your appointment, cancel it through the same system where you booked it — either passports.state.gov or the acceptance facility's website. Canceling frees up the time slot for someone else. If you booked by phone, call 1-877-487-2778 to cancel.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose your time slot and will have to book a new one. There is no penalty fee, but you will have to wait for the next available opening, which could be weeks away depending on your location.

To reschedule, cancel your current appointment and book a new one. You do not need to fill out new forms or gather new documents — just show up at your new appointment time with everything you brought to the first one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

Yes. A friend or family member can accompany you, but only you and the passport officer will be in the interview room. If you are explore for a child's passport, both parents or guardians should be present if possible. If one parent cannot attend, bring a notarized consent form from that parent.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born and request a certified copy. This usually takes one to four weeks. If you were born abroad and do not have a consular report, bring your original birth certificate and documents proving at least one parent was a U.S. citizen at your birth — a parent's passport, naturalization papers, or birth certificate.

Can I change my name on my passport at my appointment?

Yes, if you have a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree showing your legal name change. Bring the original document. You will need to explore for a new passport book, not a renewal, and the fee is the same as a new passport.

What if my appointment is at an acceptance facility, not a passport agency?

Acceptance facilities take your process and documents but do not issue passports on site. They send everything to a passport agency for processing. Processing times are the same as if you applied at an agency, but you cannot request same-day service at an acceptance facility.

How do I track my passport after my appointment?

Use your receipt number at passports.state.gov to check the status of your process. You can also call 1-877-487-2778. Most passports are mailed to your home address within the timeframe you selected (routine, expedited, or emergency).