How to Schedule Your Passport Appointment

Where to book your passport appointment

You book a passport appointment through the State Department's official scheduling system, not through a private website or third party. Go to passports.state.gov and look for the "Schedule an Appointment" button — it will direct you to the appointment portal run by a contractor called TravelGov.

You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to book by phone. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often long, so the online portal is usually faster.

Walk-in appointments are not available at most passport acceptance facilities. Some locations accept limited walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis, but you should not count on this. Booking ahead is the only reliable way to get a time slot.

Key Takeaways

• Book through passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778; do not use third-party websites claiming to speed up the process.
• You will need to choose between a passport acceptance facility (for first-time applicants or renewals by mail) and a passport agency (for expedited service or replacement documents).
• Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid ID ready before you start booking, because the system will ask for them.
• Appointment availability changes daily and varies widely by location; if your preferred date and location are full, check back the next day or consider a different facility.
• Bring all required documents to your appointment, or the staff will turn you away and you will lose your time slot.

What type of appointment you need

The State Department runs two different kinds of passport locations, and you must book at the right one for your situation. A passport acceptance facility is usually a post office, library, or courthouse. These handle first-time passport applications and passport renewals by mail. They do not issue passports on the spot — they collect your documents and send them to a processing center.

A passport agency is a federal office that issues passports directly. You need a passport agency appointment if you are applying for expedited service (faster processing), if you need a replacement passport in person, or if you are renewing a passport in person rather than by mail. Passport agencies are located in major cities; there are about 30 across the country.

If you are renewing a passport by mail and do not need it urgently, you do not need an appointment at all — you can mail your application directly. But if you want to hand it off in person, you need an acceptance facility appointment.

Information you need before you book

Have these details ready before you open the scheduling system. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID). The system will verify your identity using this information.

You will also need to know what type of passport you want — a regular passport book, a passport card (smaller, for land and sea travel only), or both. If you are renewing, you will need your current or expired passport number. If you are applying for the first time, you will not have one yet.

Write down the zip code or city where you want your appointment. The system shows you available locations and dates for that area. If your preferred location is booked solid, you may need to travel to a different city or wait and check back daily for cancellations.

Steps to book your appointment online

Go to passports.state.gov and click "Schedule an Appointment." The system will ask you to enter your Social Security number and date of birth to search for any existing passport records. This step takes a few minutes.

Next, you will select your appointment type: first-time passport, renewal, replacement, or expedited service. Choose the one that matches your situation. If you are unsure, the system has descriptions for each option.

Then you will enter your location preference and see available dates and times. Appointments fill up quickly in major cities, so if nothing appears for your first choice, try nearby zip codes or a different facility type. You can also check back the next day — cancellations happen regularly.

Once you select a date and time, the system will ask for your contact information (phone number and email) and confirm your appointment. You will receive a confirmation number and a reminder email. Save both. You will need the confirmation number when you arrive.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your confirmation number and the documents listed on your confirmation email. For a first-time passport, you will need an original or certified birth certificate, a valid government ID, and proof of citizenship (your birth certificate counts as this). You will also need a passport photo — either bring one or have it taken at the facility for a fee.

For a renewal, requirements depend on whether you are renewing by mail or in person. If you are renewing in person at a passport agency, bring your current or expired passport, a valid ID, and a new passport photo. If you are renewing by mail, you do not need an appointment.

For a replacement (lost or stolen passport), bring a police report or affidavit, a valid ID, and a passport photo. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. If any document is missing, the staff will not process your application and you will need to reschedule.

Processing time after your appointment

After your appointment, processing time depends on the service level you chose. Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs extra. Expedited service is available at passport agencies and some acceptance facilities, but not all.

If you booked at an acceptance facility, your documents go to a processing center by mail, which adds a few days on each end. If you booked at a passport agency, processing is faster because the agency handles it directly.

You will receive your passport by mail at the address you provided. The State Department does not hold passports for pickup at the office. If you need your passport urgently and processing time is tight, ask about expedited shipping when you apply.

If your appointment time does not work or you need to cancel

You can reschedule or cancel through the same online system where you booked. Log in with your confirmation number and the phone number you provided, and you will see options to change your date or cancel. Cancellations free up slots for other people, so cancel as soon as you know you cannot make it.

If you cancel and want to rebook, you go back through the scheduling system and select a new time. There is no penalty for canceling, but you will lose your original time slot.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you will need to book a new one. The system will let you reschedule, but you may have to wait longer for the next available slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

No. The person who will receive the passport must book the appointment themselves using their own Social Security number and ID. Parents or guardians can book for minors under 16, but the minor's information is used to create the appointment.

What if the system says no appointments are available?

Availability changes daily as cancellations happen. Check back the next morning. You can also try a different location — a passport facility 30 miles away may have openings when your nearest one is full. Expedited appointments sometimes open up faster than routine ones.

Do I have to pay when I book the appointment?

No. You pay the passport fees when you arrive at your appointment. Bring a check, money order, or credit card — acceptance facilities and passport agencies accept all three. Fees vary depending on whether you want a book, card, or both, and whether you chose expedited service.

What happens if I arrive late to my appointment?

Most facilities will not see you if you arrive more than 15 minutes late. You will lose your appointment and have to reschedule. Arrive at least 10 minutes early to allow time for check-in.

Can I get an appointment the same day or next day?

Same-day appointments are not available through the online system. Next-day appointments are rare but possible if someone cancels. Your best chance is to check the system first thing in the morning, when cancellations from the previous day appear.