How to Schedule and Attend Your U.S. Passport Renewal Appointment

Where to book your passport renewal appointment

You book a passport renewal appointment through the State Department's official scheduling system at passports.state.gov. The site lets you choose a location, see available dates, and reserve a specific time slot. You cannot walk in without an appointment — all passport agencies and acceptance facilities now require one.

The system shows you locations near your zip code, including passport acceptance facilities (usually post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices) and full passport agencies in major cities. Passport agencies handle renewals faster than acceptance facilities, but they have fewer appointments available. Acceptance facilities typically have more open slots but take longer to process your renewal.

If you cannot find an appointment in your area within a reasonable timeframe, check nearby cities or counties. Some people travel 30 or 40 miles to get an earlier date. The scheduling system updates regularly as cancellations open up, so checking back every few days may reveal new slots.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov using the official State Department scheduling system; walk-ins are not accepted.
• Passport agencies process renewals faster than acceptance facilities, but acceptance facilities have more appointment availability.
• Bring your current passport, a completed DS-11 or DS-82 form (depending on your situation), a new photo, and proof of citizenship or identity.
• Arrive 15 minutes early with all required documents; missing documents will result in your appointment being rescheduled.
• Processing times vary: routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks, and expedited service (available at agencies) takes 2 to 3 weeks for an additional fee.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your current passport, even if it is expired. You will also need a completed application form — either Form DS-82 (if you are renewing by mail or in person and your passport is not damaged) or Form DS-11 (if your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged). Download both forms from passports.state.gov before your appointment and fill them out completely. Bring the original, not a copy.

You need a new passport photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. The photo must show your face straight-on against a white or off-white background, with a neutral expression and no glasses or head coverings (unless for religious reasons). Many CVS, Walgreens, and post offices take passport photos for $10 to $15.

Bring one form of government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID. If you changed your name since your current passport was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change. Bring the original document, not a photocopy.

Processing times and fees

Routine passport renewal takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date the State Department receives your application. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60. Expedited service is available only at passport agencies, not at acceptance facilities, so if speed matters, book at an agency rather than a post office or library.

The standard renewal fee is $130 for a passport book (valid for 10 years if you are 16 or older). If you need your passport faster than expedited service allows, you can request emergency service at a passport agency, which typically processes applications the same day or within 24 hours. Emergency service costs an additional $35 on top of the expedited fee, and you must show proof of imminent travel (a plane ticket or cruise confirmation dated within two weeks).

Payment is cash, check, or money order at most acceptance facilities. Passport agencies accept all of those plus credit and debit cards. Ask your specific location what it accepts when you arrive.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. The staff will review your documents, verify that your form is complete, and take a new photo if the one you brought does not meet requirements. They will collect your current passport and your payment. If anything is missing or incorrect, they will reschedule your appointment rather than process it, so double-check everything before you go.

The entire appointment usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. The staff will give you a receipt showing your application number and the expected delivery date. Keep this receipt — you will need it if you want to check the status of your renewal online or if you need to contact the State Department.

After your appointment, the State Department mails your new passport to the address you provided on your form. Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks; expedited takes 2 to 3 weeks. You can track the status at passports.state.gov using your application number and date of birth.

If you cannot make your appointment

Cancel or reschedule through passports.state.gov at least 24 hours before your appointment time. Log in with the same email address you used to book, find your appointment, and select the option to cancel or change the date. If you cancel without rescheduling, you will need to go back to the site and book a new slot.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose the slot and must book again. Some locations have a policy of charging a no-show fee or requiring you to wait longer for the next available appointment, so contact the specific location if you are unsure.

Passport agencies versus acceptance facilities

A passport agency is a State Department office that handles renewals, replacements, and new passports. There are 17 agencies across the country, located in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Agencies process renewals in 2 to 3 weeks with expedited service or 6 to 8 weeks with routine service. They also offer same-day emergency service if you are traveling within two weeks.

An acceptance facility is a post office, library, county clerk office, or other local government office authorized to accept passport applications. Acceptance facilities cannot issue passports themselves — they collect your documents and forward them to a processing center. Renewals through acceptance facilities take 6 to 8 weeks with routine service. Expedited service is not available at acceptance facilities.

If you live near a passport agency and have time flexibility, book there for faster processing. If you need a specific date soon or live far from an agency, an acceptance facility may be your only option. Check passports.state.gov to see which locations are near you and what dates they have open.

Common reasons appointments get delayed or canceled

Missing or incomplete documents are the most common reason an appointment does not result in a new passport being issued. Bring originals, not copies, of your current passport, proof of citizenship, and any name-change documents. Fill out your form completely and sign it in the correct places. Review the form instructions on passports.state.gov before you arrive.

A passport photo that does not meet requirements will delay your appointment. The photo must be recent (taken within six months), show your full face straight-on, have a white or off-white background, and show a neutral expression. Glasses, hats, and head coverings are not allowed unless for religious reasons. If your photo does not meet requirements, the staff will take a new one on-site, which adds time to your appointment.

Name changes require original documents proving the legal change. A photocopy of a marriage certificate or divorce decree will not work — bring the original or a certified copy from the court or vital records office. If you do not have the original, contact the issuing office before your appointment and ask how to obtain a certified copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport by mail instead of going to an appointment?

You can renew by mail only if your passport is not damaged, was not lost or stolen, and you still have it in your possession. You must also have been at least 16 when it was issued and it must have been issued within the last 15 years. If you meet all those conditions, you can mail your application, photo, and current passport directly to the State Department without scheduling an appointment. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks by mail.

What if my passport is damaged or I lost it?

A damaged or lost passport requires an in-person appointment and Form DS-11, not a mail renewal. You cannot use the mail-in process. Book an appointment at a passport agency or acceptance facility, bring proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization papers), and be prepared to pay the full replacement fee, which is higher than a standard renewal.

Do I need to bring my birth certificate to my appointment?

You need proof of citizenship, which can be an original or certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad. If your current passport is valid and you are renewing it in person, you may not need to bring proof of citizenship — your current passport serves as proof. Check the form instructions or call your appointment location to confirm what that specific location requires.

What if I changed my name since my passport was issued?

Bring the original or certified copy of the document showing your legal name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The staff will verify the name change and issue a new passport in your current legal name. If you do not have the original document, contact the court or vital records office that issued it and request a certified copy before your appointment.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person at your appointment. The staff will verify your identity and take a new photo. A parent, spouse, or attorney cannot attend on your behalf or submit your application for you.