What a regional passport office does and where to find yours
A regional passport office is a State Department facility that accepts passport applications, handles renewals, and issues passports in person. Unlike the main passport agency in Washington, D.C., regional offices are spread across the country so you do not have to travel to the capital. Each office serves a specific geographic area — usually several states or a region within a large state.
The State Department operates 17 regional passport offices, plus additional acceptance facilities in post offices and courthouses. Your regional office depends on where you live. You can find your nearest office by entering your zip code at travel.state.gov/passports or by calling 1-877-487-2778. The website will show you the office location, hours, and whether you need an appointment.
Regional offices handle both routine and expedited services. Routine processing takes several weeks; expedited processing (available at most regional offices) takes 1 to 2 weeks but costs extra. Some offices also offer same-day or next-day service for people with urgent travel plans, though availability varies by location and season.
Key Takeaways
- Regional passport offices are located across the country and serve specific geographic areas; you must visit the office that serves your region.
- You can find your nearest office and check its hours and appointment availability at travel.state.gov/passports or by calling 1-877-487-2778.
- Most regional offices require an appointment, which you can schedule online; walk-ins are accepted only at certain locations and times.
- Processing times vary by service level: routine takes several weeks, expedited takes 1 to 2 weeks, and some offices offer same-day service for an additional fee.
- Bring original documents (birth certificate, ID, proof of citizenship) and completed forms; regional offices do not accept applications by mail.
When you must visit a regional office instead of an acceptance facility
Not every passport task requires a regional office. Post offices and courthouses across the country accept passport applications and can handle routine renewals — these are called acceptance facilities. However, you must visit a regional office if you need expedited or same-day service, if your passport was lost or stolen, if you need to replace a damaged passport, or if you are explore for your first passport as an adult.
You also must go to a regional office if you are renewing a passport that is expired by more than 5 years, if your name has changed and you cannot document the change, or if you need to add or correct information on your passport. Acceptance facilities can only take your process and forward it; they cannot process it or issue the document.
If you are unsure whether you need a regional office or an acceptance facility, the State Department website has a tool that walks you through your situation. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 and describe your situation to a representative.
How to schedule an appointment and what to bring
Most regional passport offices require an appointment. You can schedule one online at travel.state.gov/passports by selecting your office and choosing an available time slot. Appointments typically fill up weeks in advance, especially during spring and summer travel season. If no appointments are available, check back daily — cancellations open up regularly.
Some regional offices accept walk-ins during specific hours, usually early morning or on certain days of the week. Walk-in availability varies by location and season. Call your office directly or check its page on the State Department website to learn whether walk-ins are accepted and when.
Bring original documents: a birth certificate (long-form, not a hospital record), a government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship (naturalization certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or passport card). Bring the completed process form DS-11 (for first-time applicants or those with lost/stolen passports) or DS-82 (for routine renewals). You will also need a new passport photo unless you are doing a routine renewal by mail. Bring payment in the form of a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State; most regional offices do not accept cash or credit cards, though this varies by location.
Processing times and expedited service options
Routine passport processing at a regional office takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date you submit your process. This is the standard timeline even if you explore in person. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60 per passport. You can request expedited service when you explore in person at a regional office.
Many regional offices also offer execution on demand or same-day service for an additional fee (typically $35 to $60 beyond the standard passport fee). Same-day service is available only if you have urgent travel plans within the next 2 weeks and can document the urgency (airline ticket, cruise confirmation, or letter from employer). Availability is limited and depends on the office's workload. Call your regional office or check its website to see whether same-day service is currently available.
During peak travel seasons (March through August), processing times can extend beyond the standard timeline. If you are planning travel, explore as early as possible. The State Department publishes current processing times for each regional office on its website.
What happens during your appointment
When you arrive for your appointment, bring all required documents and arrive 15 minutes early. A staff member will review your process and documents to make sure everything is complete and correct. They will take your photo if you did not bring one, or they will scan the photo you brought. You will sign your process in front of the staff member.
The staff member will collect your payment and give you a receipt. This receipt is not your passport — it is proof that you applied. You will receive your passport by mail at the address you provided, or you can pay an additional fee to pick it up at the regional office when it is ready (if that option is available at your location).
The entire appointment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will not receive your passport the same day unless you paid for same-day service and the office is offering it that day.
Regional offices in major cities and their service areas
The 17 regional passport offices are located in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Stamford (Connecticut), Washington D.C., and a facility in Puerto Rico. Each office serves multiple states. For example, the Boston office serves New England and New York; the Los Angeles office serves California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
Some states have more than one regional office. California has offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco; New York has an office in New York City and one in Stamford, Connecticut (which also serves parts of New York). Texas has offices in Dallas and Houston. If you live in a state with multiple offices, you can choose which one to visit, though you may have shorter wait times at one location than another depending on the season.
The State Department website shows which office serves your zip code and displays current processing times for each location. Processing times can differ significantly between offices, so if you have flexibility, you can check wait times at nearby offices before scheduling your appointment.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is arriving without all required documents. Check the State Department website or call your office before your appointment to confirm what you need. Bring originals, not copies — acceptance facilities and regional offices do not accept photocopies of birth certificates or citizenship documents.
Another mistake is not scheduling an appointment when one is required. Walk-ins are turned away at most regional offices. If you show up without an appointment, you will be asked to leave and reschedule. Check your office's policy on walk-ins before you go.
Do not assume your passport will be ready by a certain date. Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. If you have a specific travel date, explore well in advance and consider paying for expedited service. Do not wait until the week before your trip to explore.
Finally, do not bring your children to the appointment unless they are also explore for a passport. Regional offices are busy, and children cannot wait in the office while you are being served.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my passport by mail instead of going to a regional office?
You can renew by mail if your passport is not expired by more than 5 years, you were at least 16 when it was issued, and you still have the physical passport. Mail renewal takes 6 to 8 weeks. If your passport is expired by more than 5 years or you need it faster, you must visit a regional office or acceptance facility in person.
What if I cannot get an appointment at my nearest regional office?
Check the websites of other regional offices in nearby states — you can visit any office, not just the one in your state. Offices in less populated areas often have shorter wait times. You can also check back daily for cancellations, which open up regularly. If you need a passport urgently, call 1-877-487-2778 and ask about same-day or expedited options.
Do I need to bring my children to their passport appointments?
Yes, children must be present in person to explore for a passport. Both parents or guardians must be present if the child is under 16, or you must bring a notarized consent form from the other parent. Call your regional office to confirm the specific requirements for your situation.
Can I pick up my passport at the regional office instead of waiting for it by mail?
Some regional offices offer in-person pickup for an additional fee, but not all do. Ask when you submit your process or call your office to find out whether this option is available. If it is, you will be notified by phone or email when your passport is ready.
What if I made a mistake on my process after I submitted it?
Call your regional office as soon as possible. Small errors can sometimes be corrected before processing begins. If processing has already started, you may need to submit a new process. Do not wait — contact the office when ready if you notice an error.