How to Schedule and Prepare for a U.S. Passport Appointment

How to book a passport appointment

You book a U.S. passport appointment through the State Department's official scheduling system at passports.state.gov. The site lets you choose your location, see available dates and times, and reserve a specific slot. You do not need to call or visit in person to book — everything happens online.

When you arrive at the scheduling page, select the type of service you need: a new passport, a passport renewal, or a passport amendment. The system then shows you nearby acceptance facilities or passport agencies with open appointments. Availability varies by location and season; some cities have slots weeks out, while others fill up quickly, especially in spring and summer.

After you book, the State Department sends a confirmation email with your appointment number, date, time, and the address where you need to go. Save this email or print the confirmation — you will need to bring it with you.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov, where you can see real-time availability and choose your preferred date and location.
• Bring your confirmation email or printed confirmation, a valid photo ID, proof of citizenship, and proof of residence to your appointment.
• Processing times vary: routine service takes several weeks, while expedited service (available for an extra fee) is faster but not available at all locations.
• If you cannot make your appointment, cancel it online so someone else can use that slot, or reschedule through the same system.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your confirmation number or printed confirmation email. You also need a valid photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport card all work. If you do not have one of these, bring two documents that together prove your identity, such as a birth certificate and a Social Security card.

For a new passport, bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad. For a passport renewal, bring your most recent passport. You also need to prove where you live: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last year works.

Bring a passport photo if you already have one. If not, the acceptance facility or passport agency can take one for you on the day of your appointment, though this adds time and cost. A passport photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and show your face straight-on against a white background.

Passport processing times and expedited service

Standard passport processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks but costs an additional fee. Not all locations offer expedited service, so check when you book your appointment.

If you need your passport sooner than expedited service allows, you can request an emergency appointment at a passport agency (not an acceptance facility). Emergency appointments are for travel within 72 hours or a life-or-death emergency. You cannot book these online; you must call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to request one.

Processing times can shift based on how many applications the State Department is handling. During peak travel seasons, wait times often stretch longer than the standard estimate. Check the State Department website for current processing times before you book.

Acceptance facilities versus passport agencies

An acceptance facility is usually a post office, library, or courthouse that collects your process and documents but does not issue your passport. Staff verify your paperwork, take your photo if needed, and send everything to a passport agency. Acceptance facilities handle routine applications only — you cannot get expedited service or an emergency passport there.

A passport agency is a State Department office that actually issues passports. Agencies can offer expedited and emergency service, and they process applications faster than acceptance facilities because they do not have to mail documents elsewhere. However, passport agencies are in fewer locations than acceptance facilities, and appointments there often fill up sooner.

When you book online, the system shows you both types of locations. If speed matters and a passport agency is near you, book there. If only an acceptance facility is convenient, that works for a standard process — just expect the full 6 to 8 week timeline.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. Staff will check your confirmation number and photo ID, then review all your documents to make sure they are complete and correct. If anything is missing or wrong, they may ask you to fix it on the spot or tell you to come back with the right paperwork.

You will sign your process in front of staff. If you are explore for a child's passport, both parents or guardians must be present, or the absent parent must provide written consent. You will also be asked to confirm your mailing address — this is where your passport will be sent when it is ready.

At an acceptance facility, staff collect your documents and send them to a passport agency. At a passport agency, you may receive your passport the same day if you are using expedited service, or it will be mailed to you. Ask staff before you leave what to expect and how you will know when your passport is ready.

Fees and payment methods

A new adult passport book costs $130. A passport card (a wallet-sized ID valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean) costs $35. A combined book and card costs $165. Minors' passports cost less — a child under 16 pays $100 for a book or $20 for a card.

Expedited service adds $60 to the passport book fee. An execution fee of $35 is charged at acceptance facilities and some passport agencies for processing your process. Passport photos cost $15 if you have the facility take one.

Most locations accept cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Some acceptance facilities accept only certain payment methods, so check before your appointment. If you pay by check, make it out to the U.S. Department of State.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

If you need to change your appointment, log back into passports.state.gov with your confirmation number and reschedule. You can move your appointment to a different date or location. Canceling frees up the slot for someone else and takes just a few clicks.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose your spot and your fee. You will have to book a new appointment and pay again. If an emergency prevents you from making it, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 as soon as possible to explain and ask about your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a passport appointment by phone or mail?

No. The State Department only takes passport appointments through passports.state.gov. You cannot book by phone, mail, or in person. The online system is the only way to reserve a time slot.

What if there are no appointments available near me?

Check the system again in a few days — cancellations open up regularly. You can also search for appointments in nearby cities or counties. If you need a passport urgently, call 1-877-487-2778 to ask about emergency appointments or passport agencies with faster availability.

Do I need to bring my Social Security number to my appointment?

You do not need to bring a Social Security card, but you will be asked for your number on the process form. If you do not have one, tell staff — you can still get a passport without it, though the process may take longer.

Can someone go to my appointment for me?

No. You must be present at your appointment in person. The only exception is for minors — a parent or guardian can attend on behalf of a child, but the child must also be present.

How do I know when my passport is ready?

The State Department does not send notifications when your passport ships. Check your email for any messages from the State Department, and track your mail. If your passport does not arrive within the stated processing time, call 1-877-487-2778 with your process number to check the status.