Do You Need an Appointment to Get a Passport?

Yes, you need an appointment at a passport acceptance facility or agency office

You cannot walk in without one. The U.S. State Department requires you to book a time slot before you arrive at any passport acceptance facility or passport agency office. Walk-ins are turned away, even if the office appears empty.

The only exception is if you are applying for an emergency passport the same day you travel — some passport agencies have limited same-day service, but you still must call ahead to confirm they can see you and what documents you need to bring.

Where you make your appointment depends on what you are doing: renewing by mail, applying in person for the first time, or replacing a lost or damaged passport. Each route has different appointment rules.

Key Takeaways

• All in-person passport work requires a scheduled appointment; you cannot arrive without one.
• You book appointments through the State Department's official scheduling system at passports.state.gov, not by calling or emailing.
• Passport acceptance facilities (usually post offices and libraries) handle new applications and replacements; passport agencies handle expedited and emergency work.
• Appointment availability varies by location and season, with summer and holiday periods filling weeks or months in advance.
• If you cannot get an appointment in time, you may be able to renew by mail instead, which does not require an appointment.

Where to book your appointment online

Go to passports.state.gov and use the appointment scheduling tool. You will enter your zip code or city to see which facilities near you have openings. The system shows you available dates and times, and you book directly through the website.

You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, a barcode, and instructions on what to bring. Save this email or print the confirmation — you need the barcode when you arrive.

The State Department does not take appointments by phone or email. If you cannot access the website, some libraries and post offices that serve as acceptance facilities can help you schedule, but they will still use the same online system.

Passport acceptance facilities versus passport agencies

Passport acceptance facilities are usually post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices. They handle new passport applications and replacements for lost or damaged passports. You need an appointment, and processing takes the standard timeframe (currently 6 to 8 weeks for routine service, or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service, though these times change).

Passport agencies are federal offices that handle expedited and emergency passports. If you need your passport in less than two weeks, you must go to an agency, not an acceptance facility. Agencies also handle passport renewals by mail that have been rejected or delayed. You book appointments through the same State Department website, but availability is much tighter and appointments fill faster.

If you are renewing a passport that is not damaged and you have not changed your name, you may be able to renew by mail without an appointment at all. The State Department website has a tool that tells you whether you may have access to for mail renewal.

How far in advance to book

Book as soon as you know you need a passport. Appointment availability depends on your location and the time of year. In rural areas, you might find openings two to three weeks out. In major cities during summer, appointments can be booked solid for two to three months.

If you cannot find an appointment in time for your travel date, contact the passport agency that serves your region directly — they sometimes hold back same-day or next-day slots for people with imminent travel. You will find the phone number for your regional agency on the State Department website.

Do not wait until the week before you travel. Passport processing times are measured in weeks, not days, and even expedited service takes time. If you are traveling within six weeks, you should be looking for an appointment today.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your confirmation email or printed barcode, a valid government-issued photo ID, and the documents required for your specific situation. For a new passport, you need proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport) and proof of identity. For a replacement, you need your lost or damaged passport if you have it, plus ID.

You will also need a passport photo unless you are renewing by mail. Passport photos have specific requirements: 2x2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background, and your full face visible and in focus. You can have photos taken at the acceptance facility itself, usually for a small fee, if you do not have one already.

Bring the completed application form. For a new passport, that is Form DS-11. For a replacement, it is Form DS-82 (if you are may be able to access) or Form DS-11 (if you are not). The State Department website has these forms, and many acceptance facilities have them on hand.

What happens at your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. The staff will check your documents, verify your identity, take your photo if you did not bring one, and collect your application and fee. The fee varies depending on the type of passport and whether you are paying for expedited service. Current fees are listed on passports.state.gov.

You will not receive your passport at the appointment. The facility sends your application to a processing center, and your passport is mailed to you when it is ready. The timeframe depends on whether you paid for routine or expedited service.

If anything is missing or incorrect, the staff will tell you at the appointment. If you forget a document, you will have to reschedule. This is why checking the requirements before you go matters.

If you cannot make your appointment

Cancel through the State Department website as soon as you know you cannot attend. This frees up the slot for someone else and prevents you from being marked as a no-show. You can then reschedule for a different time.

If you miss an appointment without canceling, some facilities may require you to wait longer before you can book again, or they may flag your application. Call the facility directly if you missed an appointment to ask what to do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport without an appointment?

No. All in-person passport work requires a scheduled appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted at any passport acceptance facility or agency office. If you need a passport urgently, call your regional passport agency to ask about same-day or next-day availability, but you still must have an appointment.

What if there are no appointments available in my area?

Check surrounding cities and counties — you can travel to a different facility if it has earlier availability. You can also contact your regional passport agency by phone to ask about expedited or emergency options. If you are renewing and may be able to access for mail service, that does not require an appointment and may be faster.

Do I need an appointment to renew my passport by mail?

No. Mail renewal does not require an appointment. You send your application, passport, photo, and fee directly to the address on the State Department website. You are may be able to access for mail renewal only if your passport is not damaged, you have not changed your name, and you were at least 16 when it was issued.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person at your appointment. The staff need to verify your identity and take your photo. A parent or guardian can accompany a minor, but the minor must be present.

How do I change or cancel my appointment?

Use the State Department website to cancel your current appointment, then book a new one for the date and time you need. If you cannot access the website, call the acceptance facility directly and ask them to help you reschedule.