How to Get a Passport Appointment in San Antonio

Where to book a passport appointment in San Antonio

San Antonio has two locations where you can book a passport appointment: the San Antonio Passport Acceptance Facility at 615 E. Houston Street (downtown, inside the federal courthouse) and the San Antonio Post Office at 10410 Perrin Beitel Road (north side). Both accept passport applications and can process routine renewals, but only the downtown facility handles expedited service and passport card requests.

You cannot walk in without an appointment at either location. You must book your slot in advance through the State Department's official appointment system at travel.state.gov/appointments. The system shows you available dates and times at both locations, and you choose which one works for you. Appointments typically fill two to four weeks out, though this varies by season.

If you need a passport urgently — within two weeks — call the San Antonio Passport Acceptance Facility directly at (210) 472-7000. They can sometimes fit emergency cases into same-day or next-day slots, but you must call, not book online. Have your travel dates and flight confirmation ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at travel.state.gov/appointments; you cannot walk in without one.
• The downtown facility at 615 E. Houston Street handles expedited passports and passport cards; the north-side post office handles routine applications and renewals only.
• Appointments fill two to four weeks ahead, so book as soon as you know your travel dates.
• If you need a passport within two weeks, call (210) 472-7000 directly instead of booking online.
• Bring your completed DS-11 form (new passport) or DS-82 form (renewal), a valid ID, proof of citizenship, and a passport photo.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring originals, not copies, of everything. The staff will not accept photocopies of your birth certificate, naturalization papers, or other citizenship documents. If you are applying for a new passport (not a renewal), bring your original birth certificate or naturalization certificate. If you are renewing, you can bring your expired passport instead.

You need a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or military ID. Bring the actual card. You also need one passport photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. The photo must show your face straight-on, with a plain white or off-white background. You can get photos taken at CVS, Walgreens, or most post offices for around $15 to $20.

Fill out the correct form before you arrive. If this is your first passport or your passport was lost or stolen, use Form DS-11. If you are renewing an expired passport that is still in your possession and you have not changed your name, use Form DS-82. Download both forms from travel.state.gov or pick one up at the appointment location. Do not sign the form until you are at the appointment — the staff must watch you sign.

How long appointments take and when you will get your passport

The appointment itself usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. The staff will review your documents, take your photo if yours does not meet standards, collect your fee, and answer questions. You do not receive your passport at the appointment. Processing happens after you leave.

A routine passport takes 6 to 8 weeks to arrive by mail. An expedited passport (available only at the downtown location) takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an extra $60. If you need your passport in fewer than two weeks, you must request emergency service when you call for an appointment; this is handled case-by-case and is not may provide.

The State Department sends your passport by mail to the address you provide on your application. Track it using the tracking number they give you at your appointment. If your appointment is at the post office location, processing still goes through the State Department, not the post office, so delivery time is the same.

Passport fees and payment methods

A new adult passport book costs $130. A passport card (smaller, for land and sea travel only) costs $35. A passport renewal costs $110 for the book. Expedited service adds $60 to any of these. You pay at your appointment, not when you book.

Both locations take cash, check, and credit or debit card. If you pay by check, make it out to "U.S. Department of State." Bring exact change or be prepared for the staff to tell you they cannot make change — this varies by location and day.

What to expect if you are renewing by mail instead

If your passport is not damaged, expired fewer than five years ago, and you have not changed your name, you can renew by mail without an appointment. Send your expired passport, a completed DS-82 form, a new passport photo, and a check for $110 to the address on the form. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks.

Mail renewal is slower and you lose your passport during processing, so it is not useful if you travel soon. Use it only if your passport expired years ago and you have no immediate travel plans. If you need your passport within eight weeks, book an in-person appointment instead.

Booking tips and what usually goes wrong

Book your appointment as soon as you have travel dates. The online system fills fastest in summer (May through August) and around holidays. If you see no appointments available, check back daily — cancellations open up regularly, especially a few days before the appointment date.

The most common mistake is bringing a copy of your birth certificate instead of the original. The staff will turn you away and you will have to reschedule. The second most common mistake is signing your form before the appointment; if you do, you will have to fill out a new one. The third is arriving without a passport photo or with a photo that does not meet the size and background rules.

If you cannot make your appointment, cancel it online at travel.state.gov/appointments so someone else can use that slot. If you simply do not show up, that appointment is wasted and you will have to book a new one, which may be weeks away.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not through the online system. Call (210) 472-7000 directly and explain your situation. The downtown facility sometimes has emergency slots, but they are not may provide and you must call, not book online. Have your travel confirmation ready.

Do I need an appointment at the post office location?

Yes. Both the post office and the downtown facility require appointments booked through travel.state.gov/appointments. You cannot walk in without one.

What if my birth certificate is in another state?

You can order a certified copy from the state where you were born. Most states mail them within one to two weeks. Order early if your appointment is soon, or reschedule your appointment to a later date. Bring the certified copy to your appointment, not a photocopy.

Can someone else pick up my passport for me?

No. The State Department mails passports only to the address you provide on your application. You cannot have someone else collect it. If you move before it arrives, contact the State Department to update your address.

What if I need a passport card instead of a book?

Book your appointment at the downtown location (615 E. Houston Street), not the post office. The post office cannot issue passport cards. At your appointment, tell the staff you want a card, not a book. A card costs $35 and takes the same time as a book.