How to Book and Prepare for Your Passport Application Appointment

You need an appointment at a passport acceptance facility or agency office, booked through your state or country's official system

A passport application appointment is not optional—most U.S. passport agencies and acceptance facilities require you to book a time slot before you arrive. You cannot walk in without one. The appointment holds your place in the queue and tells the office how many staff to have on hand that day.

Where you book depends on what you need. If you are applying for your first passport, renewing one that is not damaged, or adding pages, you can use a passport acceptance facility—usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office. If your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, or if you need it urgently, you must go to a passport agency office in a major city. Each route has its own booking system.

Booking opens 4 to 6 weeks ahead for routine appointments and up to 8 weeks for expedited service. Slots fill quickly in summer months and before holidays. The earlier you book, the more options you have.

Key Takeaways

• Routine passport appointments at acceptance facilities book through the State Department's official website or by phone; you cannot book online at every facility type.
• Passport agency appointments for lost, stolen, or damaged passports require calling the National Passport Information Center—online booking is not available for these cases.
• You must bring specific documents to your appointment: a completed form, proof of citizenship, a government ID, and a new photo, or the appointment will be rescheduled.
• Appointment slots open 4 to 6 weeks in advance and fill fastest during summer and before major holidays.
• If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose your slot and must book again; cancellation requires at least 24 hours' notice.

How to book at a passport acceptance facility

Go to passports.state.gov and select "Book an Appointment" under the acceptance facility option. Enter your zip code or city. The system shows you nearby facilities and available dates. Select a time, confirm your details, and you will receive a confirmation number by email and text.

Not every acceptance facility uses the online system. Some post offices and libraries still require phone bookings. The State Department website tells you which facilities in your area accept online reservations and which ones you must call. If your preferred location is phone-only, call the facility directly during business hours to reserve a slot.

Write down your confirmation number and bring it to your appointment. The office will ask for it when you arrive. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or call the facility to confirm the booking went through.

How to book at a passport agency for urgent or replacement cases

If your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, or if you need a passport in fewer than 4 weeks, you must go to a passport agency office, not an acceptance facility. These appointments do not book online. Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD 1-888-874-7793 for hearing-impaired callers). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time.

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and a list of nearby passport agencies ready when you call. The agent will tell you which agency has the earliest opening and book your appointment. You will receive a confirmation number and a letter in the mail with your appointment details. Bring both to your appointment.

Passport agencies are located in major cities: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Some states have no agency office, so you may need to travel. If travel is not possible, ask the agent about alternatives when you call.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring originals, not copies, of these documents:

• A completed Form DS-11 (for first-time applicants or replacement passports) or Form DS-82 (for routine renewals). You can fill these out before you arrive or at the facility.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship: a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport.
• A government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, state ID, or military ID.
• A new passport photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last 6 months. Most acceptance facilities can take the photo on-site for a fee if you do not have one.
• Payment: a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State." Some facilities accept card or cash, but not all. Call ahead to confirm.

If you are applying for a child's passport, bring the child, both parents' IDs, and the child's birth certificate. If one parent cannot attend, bring a notarized consent form from that parent.

Missing even one document will result in your appointment being rescheduled. The office will not process your application that day. Check the State Department website for your specific situation—rules differ for name changes, damaged passports, and other cases.

How to cancel or reschedule your appointment

If you need to change your appointment, cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled time. Go back to passports.state.gov, find your confirmation number, and select the cancellation option. You will be able to book a new slot immediately.

If you booked by phone at an acceptance facility, call that facility directly to cancel. If you booked through the National Passport Information Center, call them back at 1-877-487-2778 to reschedule.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, your slot is lost and you must book again from the beginning. Canceling gives your slot to someone else and keeps the system moving.

What to expect when you arrive at your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring your confirmation number and all original documents. The staff will check your documents, take your photo if you did not bring one, collect your payment, and submit your application.

Processing times vary. A routine passport takes 6 to 8 weeks by mail, or 3 to 5 weeks with expedited service (which costs extra). A replacement passport at an agency office can take 1 to 2 weeks. The office will tell you when to expect your passport and how it will be delivered.

Do not assume your appointment means your passport is approved. The appointment is only the submission step. The State Department reviews your application after you leave, and they may contact you if something is missing or unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a passport appointment online for every acceptance facility?

No. Most post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices use the online system at passports.state.gov, but some still require phone bookings. The State Department website shows which facilities in your area accept online reservations. If your preferred location is not listed as online, call the facility directly.

What if there are no available appointments near me?

Check facilities in neighboring cities or counties—you do not have to use the one closest to you. If your area is fully booked, check back daily; cancellations open up slots. For urgent cases, call the National Passport Information Center; they may have agency office appointments available sooner than acceptance facilities.

Do I need to print my confirmation email?

No, but bring the confirmation number. You can show it on your phone or have it written down. The office will look it up in their system when you arrive. Printing is optional.

What happens if I bring the wrong documents to my appointment?

Your appointment will be rescheduled. The office will not process your application that day. You will need to book a new slot and return with the correct documents. Check the State Department website before your appointment to confirm what you need for your specific situation.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must be present at your appointment. The only exception is for children under 16, whose parent or guardian must attend. The office needs to verify your identity in person.