How to Book a Passport Appointment in Houston

Where to book a passport appointment in Houston

Houston has two locations where you can book a passport appointment in person: the Houston Passport Agency (the federal office that issues passports) and the Harris County Clerk's office (which accepts passport applications). The Houston Passport Agency handles expedited and routine passport services. The Harris County Clerk accepts new applications and renewals, but does not issue passports — applications go to the federal agency after you submit them.

You must book an appointment before you arrive at either location. Walk-ins are not accepted. Both offices use the same federal booking system, so you will schedule through the same website regardless of which location you choose.

The Houston Passport Agency is located at 1919 Smith Street, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77002. The Harris County Clerk's office has multiple locations across the county; the main office is at 1001 Preston Street, Houston, TX 77002. Check which location is closest to you before you book, because appointment slots vary by site.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment through the federal system at passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; both the Passport Agency and Harris County Clerk use the same booking tool.
• You must have an appointment — neither location accepts walk-ins, and showing up without one will turn you away.
• The Houston Passport Agency handles expedited service (1 to 2 weeks) if you pay the expedite fee; the Harris County Clerk does routine applications only (4 to 6 weeks).
• Bring your completed application form, proof of citizenship, a government ID, and a passport photo; the exact documents depend on whether you are renewing or applying for the first time.
• Appointment availability changes weekly, so if you do not see a slot that works, check again in a few days.

How to book your appointment online

Go to passports.state.gov and select "Book an Appointment" from the homepage. You will be asked to choose your location (Houston Passport Agency or Harris County Clerk), your appointment type (new passport, renewal, or passport card), and your preferred date and time. The system shows you available slots for the next several weeks.

Once you select a slot, you will create an account or sign in if you already have one. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment number, date, time, and location. Save this email or print it — you will need the appointment number when you arrive.

If you cannot find an appointment that works, try searching again in a few days. Slots open and close as other people cancel, so persistence often works. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 to book by phone if the website is not working or you prefer to speak to someone.

What documents to bring to your appointment

The documents you need depend on whether you are renewing an existing passport or applying for the first time. For a new passport, bring your completed Form DS-11, an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), and a passport photo (2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months). You must also bring your Social Security card or a document showing your number.

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 Form DS-82, your current passport, and a new passport photo. You do not need to bring your birth certificate or ID for a routine renewal, but bring them anyway if your passport is expired or was issued before you turned 16.

For a passport card (the wallet-sized version used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean), bring the same documents as you would for a new passport or renewal, depending on your situation. The card costs less than a book passport but cannot be used for air travel.

Bring the originals of all documents, not copies. The office will not accept photocopies of your birth certificate or ID. If you do not have an original birth certificate, you can order one from the Texas Vital Statistics Unit before your appointment, but this takes time — plan ahead.

Fees and payment methods

A new passport book costs $130 (execution fee $35, book fee $95). A passport card costs $30 (execution fee $35, card fee $0, but the execution fee applies). A renewal costs $110 for a book or $15 for a card. Expedited service (1 to 2 weeks instead of 4 to 6 weeks) costs an additional $60.

Both the Houston Passport Agency and Harris County Clerk accept cash, check, and credit or debit card. If you pay by check, make it out to the U.S. Department of State. Bring exact change if you are paying cash, because the offices may not have change available.

If you choose expedited service at the Houston Passport Agency, your passport will be ready in 1 to 2 weeks. If you use routine service at either location, expect 4 to 6 weeks. These timelines assume no problems with your application — missing documents or unclear photos can add weeks.

Differences between the Houston Passport Agency and Harris County Clerk

The Houston Passport Agency is a federal office that both accepts applications and issues passports on-site. If you choose expedited service here, you can pick up your passport in 1 to 2 weeks. The agency also handles passport replacements (if yours was lost or stolen) and corrections to existing passports. Appointments at the Passport Agency tend to fill up faster because of the expedited option.

The Harris County Clerk accepts applications but does not issue passports. After you submit your application, it goes to a federal processing center, and you will receive your passport by mail in 4 to 6 weeks. The Clerk's office is useful if you do not need your passport quickly or if you prefer a location closer to your home (they have multiple offices across the county).

If you need your passport within two weeks, you must book at the Houston Passport Agency and pay for expedited service. If you have more time, either location works, and the Clerk's office may have more available appointments.

What to expect during your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring your appointment confirmation email or the appointment number written down. The staff will check your documents, verify your information, take a new passport photo if yours does not meet requirements, and collect your payment. The entire process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

If you are applying for a new passport, a staff member will ask you questions about your citizenship, your parents' names and birthplaces, and whether you have ever held a passport before. Answer honestly — false statements on a passport application are a federal crime. If you are renewing, the process is faster because the staff only needs to verify that your information has not changed.

If you are at the Houston Passport Agency and chose expedited service, ask when you can pick up your passport. They will give you a pickup date and instructions. If you are at the Harris County Clerk, you will receive your passport by mail; ask for tracking information so you can monitor delivery.

If you cannot make your appointment

Cancel your appointment as soon as you know you cannot attend. Go back to passports.state.gov, sign into your account, and select "Cancel Appointment." This frees up the slot for someone else and allows you to rebook for a different date. If you do not cancel and miss your appointment, you will have to book a new one, and the next available slot may be weeks away.

If you need to reschedule, you can cancel and rebook in the same session. The system will show you available slots immediately after you cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport appointment the same day or next day?

No. The Houston Passport Agency and Harris County Clerk both require advance booking, and same-day or next-day slots are rarely available. Book as soon as you know you need a passport. If you need one urgently, book expedited service at the Passport Agency (1 to 2 weeks) rather than routine service (4 to 6 weeks).

What if I lost my passport or it was stolen?

You will need to report it lost or stolen and apply for a replacement. Bring a police report (if you filed one), your completed Form DS-11, proof of citizenship, and a government ID. The Houston Passport Agency handles replacements; the Harris County Clerk does not. Book an appointment at the Passport Agency location.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person. A parent or guardian can accompany a minor, but the applicant must be present. If you cannot attend, cancel your appointment and rebook for a time you can make it.

Do I need a passport photo before my appointment?

You should bring one, but the office can take a new photo if yours does not meet federal requirements (2 by 2 inches, taken within six months, neutral background, no glasses or head coverings). If you bring a photo that does not meet standards, they will take a new one for a small additional fee.

How do I track my passport after I apply?

If you applied at the Houston Passport Agency with expedited service, ask for a pickup date before you leave. If you applied at the Harris County Clerk or chose routine service, you will receive your passport by mail. The office will give you tracking information; you can also check the status on passports.state.gov using your application number.