How to Book a Passport Appointment in Nashville

Where to Book Your Passport Appointment in Nashville

Nashville has two locations where you can book a passport appointment: the Nashville Passport Acceptance Facility at 701 South Sixth Street (inside the downtown post office), and the Hermitage Post Office at 5805 Old Hickory Boulevard. Both accept passport applications and renewals, though neither issues passports on-site — that happens at the federal facility in Memphis.

The downtown location is easier to reach if you use public transit or work in the city center. The Hermitage location serves the eastern suburbs and has shorter wait times on some days. You do not need an appointment at either location to apply for a new passport or renew an expiring one, but you do need one if you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, applying for a passport card only, or requesting expedited service.

To find current hours and book an appointment, visit the U.S. State Department's passport appointment scheduler at passports.state.gov. You will need to enter your zip code, select Nashville as your city, and choose which location and date work for you. The system shows available slots up to several weeks ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Nashville has two passport acceptance locations: downtown on South Sixth Street and in Hermitage on Old Hickory Boulevard, both inside post offices.
• You can walk in without an appointment for a new passport or standard renewal, but you must book ahead if your passport was lost, stolen, or if you need expedited service.
• Book your appointment through the State Department's official scheduler at passports.state.gov, which shows available dates weeks in advance.
• Bring your completed DS-11 form (new passport) or DS-82 form (renewal), a valid ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo to your appointment.
• Processing takes four to six weeks for standard service or two to three weeks for expedited service, which costs extra and must be requested at the time of application.

What Documents to Bring to Your Nashville Appointment

Bring your completed passport application form before you arrive. For a new passport, use Form DS-11. For a renewal, use Form DS-82 if your passport is not damaged and you still have it, or DS-11 if it is lost or stolen. You can fill these out online at passports.state.gov and print them, or pick up a paper copy at either Nashville location.

You will also need proof of U.S. citizenship (an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), and a passport photo that meets State Department standards — 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. CVS, Walgreens, and most local photo shops in Nashville can take passport photos while you wait.

If you are renewing and still have your passport, bring it with you. If you are applying for a child's passport, bring the child, both parents or guardians if possible, and their IDs. Bring payment in the form of a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State — the Nashville locations do not accept cash or credit cards.

Processing Times and Costs in Nashville

Standard passport processing takes four to six weeks from the date you submit your application. Expedited service takes two to three weeks and costs an additional $60 on top of the base fee. You must request expedited service at the time of your appointment — you cannot add it later.

A new adult passport book costs $130, plus a $35 execution fee at the acceptance facility, for a total of $165. A passport card (valid for domestic travel only) costs $30 plus the $35 execution fee. A renewal costs $110 plus $35. If you need your passport faster than expedited service allows, you can request an emergency appointment at the State Department's office in Memphis, but this requires proof of imminent international travel or a family emergency.

The Nashville acceptance facilities do not collect fees — you pay when you submit your application. If your application is rejected because documents are missing or incomplete, you will be told at your appointment and can resubmit, but you will not get a refund.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment Day

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early with all documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get separated. The staff will review your paperwork, take your photo if you did not bring one, and collect your payment. The entire process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

If you are applying for a child's passport and only one parent is present, bring a notarized consent form from the other parent, or bring both parents together. If the child's parents are divorced or separated, bring custody documents. These rules exist to prevent passport fraud, and the staff will ask for them if they apply to your situation.

After your appointment, you will receive a receipt with a tracking number. You can use this number to check your application status online at passports.state.gov. Your passport will be mailed to the address you provided on your application, not picked up at the Nashville location.

When You Cannot Use the Nashville Locations

If your passport was lost or stolen, you must report it to the State Department before you can apply for a replacement. You can do this online at passports.state.gov or in person at the Nashville facility. Once reported, you will need to apply for a new passport using Form DS-11, which requires an in-person appointment.

If you need your passport in fewer than two weeks, the Nashville locations cannot help you. You will need to go to the State Department's regional office in Memphis or request an emergency appointment. Emergency appointments are reserved for imminent international travel (within 72 hours) or a family emergency abroad, and you must bring proof — a plane ticket, hotel reservation, or a letter from a family member.

If your passport is damaged, torn, water-damaged, or has missing pages, you cannot renew by mail. You must apply in person at the Nashville facility using Form DS-11 and pay the full new passport fee, even though you have a passport already.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

You can walk in for a new passport or standard renewal without an appointment. However, wait times vary — some days the line is short, other days it is 45 minutes or longer. If you need expedited service, a replacement for a lost passport, or a passport card only, you must book an appointment in advance.

Can I get my passport the same day?

No. Even expedited service takes two to three weeks. Same-day passports are not available in Nashville. If you need your passport within 72 hours, you must contact the State Department's emergency services or travel to Memphis.

What if I made a mistake on my application form?

If you notice an error before your appointment, print a new form and bring that instead. If the staff finds an error at your appointment, they will tell you what to correct. In most cases, you can fix it right there and resubmit. If the error is significant, you may need to reschedule.

Can someone else pick up my passport for me?

No. Passports are mailed directly to the address on your application. You cannot pick it up at the Nashville facility or have someone else collect it. If you move before your passport arrives, contact the State Department with your new address.

What if I cannot make my appointment?

Cancel through the State Department's scheduler at passports.state.gov at least 24 hours before your appointment. This frees up the slot for someone else. If you miss your appointment without canceling, you may have to wait longer to book another one.