How to Book and Prepare for a Passport Appointment in Denver

Where to book a passport appointment in Denver

Denver has two locations where you can book a passport appointment in person: the Denver Passport Agency at 1999 Broadway, Suite 100, and the Denver Public Library's Main Branch at 10 West 14th Avenue Parkway, which accepts passport applications but does not issue passports. The Passport Agency handles both new passports and renewals. The library location is useful if you need to submit documents but cannot reach the Passport Agency, though processing will still route through the federal system.

You must book an appointment before you arrive at either location — walk-ins are not accepted. Go to travel.state.gov, click "Book an Appointment," and select Denver from the city list. The website shows available dates and times for the next several weeks. If no slots appear, check back in a few days; cancellations open up regularly. You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to book by phone, though the website is usually faster.

Processing times vary depending on whether you need a passport urgently. Standard service takes several weeks; expedited service (available for an extra fee) takes one to two weeks. The Passport Agency can sometimes issue same-day or next-day passports for travel within 72 hours, but you must request this when you book and bring proof of your travel plans.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at travel.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; the Denver Passport Agency is at 1999 Broadway and the library branch is at 10 West 14th Avenue Parkway.
• Bring your completed DS-11 form (new passport) or DS-82 form (renewal), a government-issued ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo that meets federal standards.
• Standard processing takes several weeks; expedited service costs extra and takes one to two weeks; same-day service is available only for travel within 72 hours with proof.
• Passport photos must be taken at an approved location or brought from home if they meet the State Department's size and background requirements.
• Bring the original documents you need, not copies, because the Passport Agency must see and verify them in person.

What documents to bring to your Denver appointment

The documents you need depend on whether you are getting a new passport or renewing an existing one. For a new passport, bring your completed DS-11 form (available at travel.state.gov or at the appointment location), an original government-issued ID such as a driver's license or state ID, an original birth certificate or naturalization certificate, and a passport photo. If you were born outside the United States, bring your original Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship instead of a birth certificate.

For a passport renewal, the requirements are simpler if your passport is still valid and was issued when you were 16 or older. Bring your completed DS-82 form, your current passport, and a new passport photo. If your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you must apply for a new one using DS-11 instead, which requires the same documents as a first-time applicant.

Bring originals, not copies. The Passport Agency must see and verify your birth certificate, citizenship document, and ID in person. If any document is not in English, bring a certified English translation along with the original. Bring more than one form of ID if you have it — a passport card counts, as does a military ID or passport from another country.

Passport photo requirements and where to get one in Denver

Your passport photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and show your full face straight on against a white or off-white background. You cannot wear sunglasses, a hat, or anything that obscures your face, though religious head coverings are permitted if they do not shadow your face. The photo must be in color on white paper, not printed on colored stock.

You can have a photo taken at most CVS and Walgreens locations in Denver — both chains offer passport photos and can print them to the correct size. FedEx Office locations also provide this service. A single passport photo usually costs $10 to $15. If you already have a photo at home that meets these standards, you can bring it instead; the Passport Agency will not reject a home photo if it meets the size and background rules.

Do not use a selfie or a photo from social media, even if it looks professional. The State Department rejects photos taken indoors with artificial lighting, photos where you are smiling with your mouth open, and photos where your head takes up less than 50 percent of the frame. If you are unsure whether your photo will pass, have it taken at a pharmacy or print shop — the cost is small compared to the delay if the Passport Agency rejects it and asks you to return with a new one.

Fees and payment methods at the Denver Passport Agency

Passport fees are set by the federal government and do not vary by location. A new adult passport book (for ages 16 and up) costs $130 for the passport itself plus a $35 execution fee, totaling $165. A passport card (a wallet-sized ID valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) costs $55 plus $35, totaling $90. You can get both a book and a card together for $165 plus $20, totaling $185.

A passport renewal costs $110 for the book or $30 for the card if you are renewing by mail through DS-82. If you renew in person at the Passport Agency using DS-11, add the $35 execution fee. Expedited service adds $60 to any passport fee. Same-day or next-day service adds $70 on top of expedited fees.

The Denver Passport Agency accepts cash, check, and credit or debit card. Bring exact change or be prepared to pay by card if you do not have the exact amount in cash. You cannot pay online before your appointment; payment happens at the appointment itself.

What to expect during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring all documents listed on your appointment confirmation, plus your completed form. A staff member will review your documents, verify your identity, take a new photo if the one you brought does not meet standards, and collect your payment. The entire appointment usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

The Passport Agency will not issue your passport on the day of your appointment. Instead, they send it to you by mail after processing. Standard service takes several weeks from the appointment date. Expedited service takes one to two weeks. If you paid for same-day or next-day service, your passport will be ready for pickup at the Denver Passport Agency the next business day or the same day, depending on what you selected.

If the Passport Agency finds a problem with your documents or photo during the appointment, they will tell you what needs to change and may ask you to reschedule. This is why bringing originals and documents that clearly meet the requirements matters — it prevents delays. If you are unsure about any document, call 1-877-487-2778 before your appointment to confirm it will be accepted.

Parking and getting to the Denver Passport Agency

The Denver Passport Agency is located at 1999 Broadway, Suite 100, in downtown Denver. Street parking is available on Broadway and nearby side streets, though it can be difficult during business hours. The building has a paid parking garage; rates vary but typically run $2 to $3 per hour. The RTD light rail stops at the Civic Center Station, which is a five-minute walk from the building.

The Denver Public Library's Main Branch, where you can submit passport applications, is at 10 West 14th Avenue Parkway. It has a parking lot and is also near the Civic Center light rail station. Both locations are in the same downtown area, so if you are choosing between them, parking and transit access are roughly equivalent.

If your appointment is cancelled or you need to reschedule

If the Passport Agency cancels your appointment, they will contact you by email or phone at the number you provided when you booked. Check your email regularly in the weeks before your appointment. If you need to reschedule, go back to travel.state.gov, log in with the confirmation number from your appointment, and select a new date. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 to reschedule by phone.

If you miss your appointment without cancelling, you will lose your slot and must book a new one. The website shows availability in real time, so if you cannot make your appointment, cancel it as soon as you know so someone else can use that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport by mail instead of going to Denver in person?

Yes, if your passport is still valid, was issued when you were 16 or older, and is not damaged or lost. Mail your completed DS-82 form, current passport, new photo, and payment to the address on the form. Processing takes several weeks. If your passport is expired by more than five years, you must renew in person.

What if I need a passport in less than a week?

Call 1-877-487-2778 and ask about same-day or next-day service when you book. This service is available only if you have travel within 72 hours and can bring proof (a flight itinerary or cruise ticket). Same-day and next-day appointments are limited and fill quickly.

Do I need an appointment at the Denver Public Library location?

Yes. The library accepts passport applications but does not issue passports, so your application will be forwarded to the Passport Agency for processing. You still must book an appointment through travel.state.gov and select the library location. Processing times are the same as at the Passport Agency.

What if my birth certificate is old or faded?

Bring it anyway. The Passport Agency can usually read older documents, and they have experience with faded or worn certificates. If it is truly illegible, contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born and request a certified copy before your appointment.

Can someone else pick up my passport if I paid for same-day service?

No. You must pick up your passport in person at the Denver Passport Agency. Bring your ID. If you cannot pick it up on the day it is ready, it will be held for a limited time before being returned to processing.