How to Schedule and Prepare for Your U.S. Passport Appointment

What to expect when you book a passport appointment

A U.S. passport appointment is a one-on-one meeting at a passport acceptance facility or agency office where you submit your application and documents in person. The appointment itself usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You will not receive your passport that day — the government processes it after your appointment and mails it to you, which takes several weeks depending on demand.

The State Department runs most passport services through a network of local acceptance facilities, which are often located in post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices. Some cities also have dedicated passport agencies that handle appointments directly. Where you can book depends on where you live and how quickly you need the passport.

Booking an appointment is free. You do not pay a fee to schedule; you pay the passport fee itself when you arrive at your appointment. The cost varies by passport type — a standard adult passport book costs $130, plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165 if you are applying for the first time.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment through the State Department's official scheduling system at passports.state.gov, not through third-party websites.
• You will need your Social Security number, a valid ID, and proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization papers, or previous passport) before you book.
• Passport agencies in major cities often have faster processing times than local acceptance facilities, but appointments fill up weeks in advance.
• If you need a passport urgently, some passport agencies offer expedited in-person service the same day or within a few days, but you must book through their phone line, not online.

How to book an appointment online

Go to passports.state.gov and select "Schedule an Appointment" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your zip code or city to find facilities near you. The system shows you available dates and times at each location.

When you book, you will create a temporary account and receive a confirmation number. Write this down or save the email — you will need it when you arrive. The confirmation shows your appointment date, time, location, and a list of documents to bring. Do not rely on memory; bring the confirmation with you.

Appointments typically open 60 to 90 days in advance. If you do not see available times near you, check back in a few days — cancellations happen regularly and new slots open. If your deadline is urgent and no appointments appear within your timeframe, call the passport agency in your region directly; they handle expedited same-day or next-day appointments by phone only.

Documents you must bring to your appointment

Bring originals, not copies, of the following: a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), and your Social Security card or a document showing your number. If your birth certificate is not certified, the facility will not accept it — order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born.

You will also need a completed passport application form. For a first-time adult passport, use Form DS-11. You can fill it out before you arrive or at the facility, but filling it out ahead of time moves your appointment along faster. Download it from passports.state.gov, print it, and sign it in front of the acceptance agent — do not sign it beforehand.

Bring a passport photo that meets State Department standards: 2 by 2 inches, color or black and white, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. You can have a photo taken at the facility for an extra fee if you do not have one ready. Many post offices and pharmacies also take passport photos for $10 to $20.

If you are renewing a passport or applying as a minor, the document list changes. Check your confirmation email for the exact list for your situation.

What happens during your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The acceptance agent will review your documents, ask you questions to verify your identity and citizenship, and check that your application form is complete. They will take your passport photo if you did not bring one. You will pay the passport fee at this time — bring a check, money order, or card, depending on what the facility accepts. Some locations take cards; others do not.

The agent will scan your documents and take your fingerprints. This is routine and takes a few minutes. Once everything is processed, you will receive a receipt with a tracking number. Keep this receipt — it is your proof that you submitted your application.

After your appointment, the State Department sends your documents to a processing center. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks; expedited processing (which costs an extra $60) takes 2 to 3 weeks. Processing times are estimates and can stretch during peak travel seasons.

Expedited same-day or next-day service

If you need a passport within days, not weeks, some passport agencies offer expedited in-person service. This is different from the online appointment system. You must call the passport agency in your region directly — the phone numbers are listed on passports.state.gov under "Passport Agencies." Explain your situation and ask if they have same-day or next-day appointments available.

Same-day service is rare and usually reserved for travel within 72 hours with proof of a ticket. Next-day service is more common but still limited. You will pay the standard passport fee plus the $60 expedited fee. The agency will tell you what documents to bring and whether you need to bring proof of your travel plans.

Passport agencies are located in major cities: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. If you live far from one, expedited service may not be practical.

Common mistakes that delay your appointment

The most frequent problem is bringing an uncertified birth certificate. A photocopy, even if notarized, will not work — you need an official certified copy from the vital records office. Order this weeks ahead if possible, because it can take 2 to 4 weeks to arrive by mail.

The second mistake is not signing Form DS-11 before the appointment. You must sign it in front of the agent, not beforehand. If you sign it early, the agent will ask you to sign again, which wastes time.

The third is bringing an expired or soon-to-expire ID. Your ID must be valid on the day of your appointment. If it expires within a few months, bring a second form of ID as backup.

The fourth is not bringing enough money. Know the exact fee before you arrive and bring cash or a check if the facility does not take cards. Some locations have ATMs, but do not count on it.

If you need to reschedule or cancel

Log back into your account on passports.state.gov using your confirmation number and the email address you used to book. You can reschedule to a different date or location, or cancel entirely. If you cancel, your slot opens up for someone else.

If you cannot access your account online, call the passport information line at 1-877-487-2778. They can help you reschedule or answer questions about your appointment. Wait times are long during peak seasons, so call early in the day if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else go to my appointment for me?

No. You must appear in person. The acceptance agent needs to verify your identity and citizenship face-to-face, and you must sign your application in front of them. There are no exceptions for this requirement.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can use a naturalization certificate, a previous passport, or a consular report of birth abroad. If you have none of these, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born and request a certified copy. This can take weeks, so start immediately if your appointment is coming up.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

Most acceptance facilities require an appointment. Walk-ins are turned away. A few locations accept walk-ins on a limited basis, but the wait can be several hours. Check the facility's page on passports.state.gov to see if walk-ins are accepted at your location.

How long does it take to get my passport after the appointment?

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date of your appointment. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs $60 extra. You can track your application using the receipt number you received at your appointment.

What if I made a mistake on my application form?

Tell the acceptance agent before you leave. They can correct minor errors on the spot. If you do not notice the mistake until after you leave, contact the passport agency or call the information line — they can sometimes fix it before processing begins, but this is not may provide.