How to Schedule a New Passport Appointment

Where to book your new passport appointment

You book a new passport appointment through the State Department's official scheduling system at passports.state.gov. This is the only place the State Department runs appointments — there is no phone line to call and no walk-in option at most locations. You will need to create an account, enter your information, and choose from available dates at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency near you.

The type of location matters. Passport acceptance facilities are post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices that take your photos and documents but do not issue passports on-site — they mail everything to a processing center. Passport agencies are federal offices in major cities that can issue passports the same day or within a few days if you pay for expedited service. Passport agencies handle only appointments; you cannot walk in. If you need a passport urgently, a passport agency is faster, but they have fewer appointment slots and book up weeks ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at passports.state.gov by creating an account and selecting from available dates — this is the only official scheduling system.
• Passport acceptance facilities (post offices and libraries) are slower but have more appointment slots, while passport agencies are faster but book up further in advance.
• You will need a government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization papers), and a completed passport form before your appointment.
• Standard processing takes four to six weeks; expedited processing at a passport agency can be same-day or next-day but costs extra and requires an appointment at a federal office.
• If no appointments are available in your area, check the system again in a few days — cancellations open up regularly.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring originals, not copies. You need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), proof of citizenship (original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad), and a completed passport application form. For a new adult passport, use Form DS-11 if you are applying in person at a passport agency, or Form DS-82 if you are applying by mail through an acceptance facility. For a child under 16, use Form DS-11. You can fill these out before you go or fill them out at the facility — most acceptance facilities have forms on hand.

Bring a new, unsigned passport photo. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background and your face taking up 50 to 69 percent of the frame. You can get a photo taken at most post offices, pharmacies, and portrait studios for $10 to $20. Do not sign the back of the photo — the State Department will tell you where to sign it during your appointment.

If you are renewing a passport you already have, the rules are different and you may not need an in-person appointment at all. This article covers new passports only.

How to find and book an available appointment slot

Go to passports.state.gov and select "Schedule an Appointment." You will be asked to enter your zip code or city. The system shows you all passport acceptance facilities and agencies within a set distance, along with their next available appointment dates. Dates vary widely — a post office in a small town might have slots three weeks out, while a passport agency in a major city might show nothing for two months.

If you see no available dates, do not assume the location is fully booked for months. The system releases appointments in batches, and cancellations happen constantly. Check again in two or three days. If you are flexible about location, search a wider radius — driving 30 minutes to a less-busy facility often opens up much sooner dates. Some people find that searching late at night or early in the morning shows more availability.

Once you select a date and time, you will be asked to confirm your name, date of birth, and contact information. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment number and a list of what to bring. Save this email or print it — you will need the appointment number when you arrive.

Processing time and costs for new passports

Standard processing takes four to six weeks from the day the passport agency receives your application. If you apply at an acceptance facility, add a few days for mail time to the processing center. You will receive your passport by mail at the address you provide.

Expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs an extra $60. You can request expedited processing at your appointment, but not all acceptance facilities offer it — passport agencies do. If you need a passport faster than expedited processing allows, some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for an additional $35 to $60 on top of the expedited fee, but only if you book an appointment at a passport agency and arrive in person.

A new adult passport costs $130 for a book (the standard format) or $100 for a card (smaller, valid for five years instead of ten). A new child passport costs $100 for a book or $85 for a card. These fees are paid at your appointment. Acceptance facilities and passport agencies accept cash, check, and card.

What to expect during your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring all your documents and your confirmation email. A staff member will review your application form, check your documents against your ID, take a new photo if the one you brought does not meet requirements, and collect your fee. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes at an acceptance facility.

At a passport agency, the process is similar but faster because they issue the passport on-site or within days. If you are paying for same-day service, you will receive your passport before you leave. If you are paying for expedited service, you will receive it within two to three weeks by mail.

Do not sign your passport application form before your appointment — the staff member will tell you where to sign it in front of them. If you sign it early, they may reject it and ask you to fill out a new form.

If your appointment is cancelled or you need to reschedule

If the State Department cancels your appointment (this happens occasionally when a facility closes unexpectedly), you will receive an email. Go back to passports.state.gov and book a new slot. You do not lose your place in the queue.

If you need to reschedule your own appointment, log into your account on passports.state.gov, find your appointment, and select the option to reschedule. You can move it to a different date or location. If you cancel without rescheduling, you will need to book a new appointment from scratch.

What to do if no appointments are available near you

Check the system every few days. Cancellations happen regularly, especially at popular locations, and new slots open up. If you are willing to travel, search a wider area — a city 45 minutes away often has sooner dates than your hometown.

If you need a passport urgently and cannot find an appointment, contact your nearest passport agency directly by phone. Agencies sometimes hold emergency appointments for people with imminent travel or documented hardship. You will need to explain your situation and provide proof (a flight confirmation, a death in the family, a work requirement). This is not a may provide, but it is worth asking if your situation is genuinely time-sensitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a passport without an appointment?

No. The State Department requires an appointment at either a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. Walk-ins are not accepted. You must schedule through passports.state.gov.

What if I do not have my original birth certificate?

You can request a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $15 to $30. You can order it online or by mail. Do this before your passport appointment — you cannot proceed without proof of citizenship.

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person. The staff member will check your ID against your face and will ask you questions about your application. Parents or guardians must appear with children under 16.

What if I miss my appointment?

You will lose that slot. Go back to passports.state.gov and book a new appointment. There is no penalty, but you will have to wait for the next available date.

Do I need a passport card or a passport book?

A passport book is valid for 10 years and works for all travel — air, land, and sea. A passport card is smaller, valid for 5 years, and works only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. If you travel internationally by air or to other countries, get a book. If you only drive to Mexico or Canada, a card is cheaper and smaller.