How to Reschedule Your Passport Appointment

How to reschedule depends on where you booked

The method you use to reschedule depends entirely on which office issued your appointment. If you booked through the State Department's official appointment system at passports.state.gov, you reschedule online through that same system. If you booked at a local passport acceptance facility — a post office, library, or county clerk's office — you contact that specific location directly by phone or in person.

Do not assume all passport offices use the same rescheduling process. A post office passport window handles cancellations differently than a state passport agency office. Before you call or visit, confirm which type of facility holds your appointment by checking your appointment confirmation email or letter.

Key Takeaways

• State Department appointments made at passports.state.gov are rescheduled online through your account on that same website.
• Appointments at post offices, libraries, and county offices are rescheduled by calling or visiting that specific location — not through a central system.
• You need your confirmation number or appointment details when you contact any office to reschedule.
• Rescheduling usually takes effect immediately if done online, or within one business day if done by phone.
• If you cannot reach the office or the new date you need is not available, cancelling and rebooking may be faster than rescheduling.

Rescheduling through passports.state.gov

Log into your account at passports.state.gov using the email address and password you created when you booked. Once logged in, select "View My Appointments" or a similar option — the exact wording varies by browser and whether you are on a phone or computer. Your upcoming appointment will appear with options to reschedule or cancel.

Click the reschedule option and the system will show you available dates and times at your original location. If no dates work for you, the system will tell you that immediately rather than making you wait on hold. You can then choose to cancel and rebook at a different location, or try again another day when more slots may have opened.

After you reschedule, you will receive a new confirmation email with your updated appointment time. Keep this email — you will need the confirmation number when you arrive for your appointment.

Rescheduling at post offices and local acceptance facilities

Call the specific post office, library, or county office where your appointment is scheduled. Do not call the main post office number or the library's general line — ask for the passport acceptance section or passport window directly. Have your confirmation number ready when you call; the staff member will need it to find your appointment in their system.

Explain the new date and time you need. The staff member will check availability and either confirm the reschedule on the phone or tell you to come in person to make the change. Some facilities allow rescheduling only in person, so ask before you make a trip.

If you cannot reach anyone by phone, visit the facility during its posted hours and ask to reschedule at the counter. Bring your confirmation letter or email so staff can locate your appointment quickly.

What to do if your preferred date is not available

If the system or staff member tells you that your preferred date has no open slots, you have two options: wait for new slots to open, or cancel and rebook at a different location.

New appointment slots are released regularly — sometimes weekly, sometimes daily depending on the location and time of year. If you are flexible, check back in a few days. If you need a specific date soon, look for availability at a different passport office or acceptance facility. A location 30 or 40 miles away may have open slots when your nearest office is full.

To book at a different location, cancel your current appointment and create a new one at the alternate location. This is often faster than waiting for your original location to have availability.

Rescheduling when you have already paid the passport fee

If you paid your passport fee at your original appointment and then need to reschedule, you do not pay again. Your fee is tied to your case, not to a specific appointment date. When you reschedule, bring the same documents and identification you planned to bring to your original appointment.

If you cancelled your appointment before paying and then rebooked at a different location, you will pay the fee at your new appointment. The fee amount depends on the type of passport (standard, expedited, or routine) and whether you are renewing or applying for the first time.

How far in advance you can reschedule

You can reschedule an appointment up until the day before it is scheduled. Some systems allow rescheduling up to a few hours before your appointment time, but do not count on this — reschedule as soon as you know you cannot make the original date.

If your appointment is tomorrow and you cannot make it, call the office immediately. Explain your situation and ask whether they can move you to a later date. If rescheduling is not possible, ask about cancelling without penalty and rebooking when you are ready.

What happens if you miss your rescheduled appointment

If you do not show up for your rescheduled appointment, the office will cancel it. You will lose any fee you paid and will have to book a new appointment from scratch. Some offices may flag your account if you miss multiple appointments, which can delay future bookings.

If you know you cannot make your rescheduled appointment, cancel it rather than no-showing. This keeps your account in good standing and allows someone else to use that time slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my appointment multiple times?

Yes, you can reschedule as many times as you need before your appointment. However, if you reschedule repeatedly and then miss appointments, some offices may require you to cancel and rebook rather than allowing further changes.

Do I need to bring the same documents if I reschedule?

Yes. Rescheduling changes only the date and time of your appointment, not what you need to bring. Bring the same documents, photos, and identification you would have brought to your original appointment.

What if I reschedule and then need to reschedule again?

You can reschedule again using the same method you used the first time. If you are rescheduling through passports.state.gov, log in and select reschedule again. If you are rescheduling at a local facility, call or visit again.

Can I reschedule to a different city or state?

Not by rescheduling. If you need to move your appointment to a different location, you must cancel your current appointment and book a new one at the new location. This is treated as a new booking, not a reschedule.

Will rescheduling delay my passport?

Rescheduling itself does not delay your passport. However, if you reschedule to a date further in the future, your passport will be issued later than it would have been at your original appointment. Plan your new appointment date with your travel timeline in mind.