Where to Book Your Passport Appointment

The two places that take passport appointments

You can make a passport appointment at a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. These are different offices with different wait times and what they can do for you.

A passport acceptance facility is usually in your local courthouse, library, or town hall. They take your application and documents, but they do not issue the passport — they send everything to a passport agency. A passport agency is a federal office run by the State Department that actually produces and mails your passport. Only passport agencies can issue passports, but most people never go to one because acceptance facilities handle the first step.

Which one you need depends on whether you already have a passport, how fast you need it, and whether you are applying in person or by mail.

Key Takeaways

• Passport acceptance facilities are in courthouses, libraries, and town halls and handle most first-time applications, but you must book an appointment before you go.
• Passport agencies are federal offices that issue the actual passport and handle expedited requests, but you can only visit one if you need your passport within two weeks or have a specific problem.
• You book acceptance facility appointments through your county or city website, or by calling the facility directly — there is no single national booking system.
• You can apply by mail to a passport agency without an appointment if you have time and your passport is not damaged or lost.
• Walk-ins are not accepted at most facilities, so arriving without an appointment will waste your trip.

Finding and booking at a passport acceptance facility

Start by searching "[your county name] passport acceptance facility" or "[your city name] passport acceptance facility." Most counties list their facilities on the clerk's office website with phone numbers and hours. Some facilities use online booking systems; others require you to call. A few take walk-ins, but this is rare and you should call first to confirm.

If you cannot find your county's list, call your county clerk's office directly. They maintain the official list of acceptance facilities in your area and can tell you which ones have appointments open soonest. You can also search the State Department's facility locator at iafdb.travel.state.gov, which lists every acceptance facility in the country and links to their booking systems when available.

When you call or book online, have your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number ready. The facility will ask what type of passport you need (book or card), whether this is your first passport or a renewal, and your preferred appointment date. Most facilities can see you within two to four weeks, though this varies by location and season.

When you need a passport agency appointment instead

You can only book an appointment at a passport agency if you meet one of these conditions: you need your passport within two weeks, you are traveling within two weeks and do not have a passport yet, your passport was lost or stolen, your passport was damaged, or you have a legal name change or citizenship issue that requires agency review.

If you meet one of these conditions, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Tell them your situation and they will schedule you at the nearest passport agency that has an opening. You cannot book a passport agency appointment online — you must call.

Passport agencies are located in major cities: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. If you live far from any agency, the National Passport Information Center can sometimes arrange a phone or video appointment instead, though this depends on your situation.

Applying by mail without an appointment

If you have a valid passport and are renewing it, and you do not need it within two weeks, you can mail your application and old passport to a passport agency without booking an appointment. You will need to fill out Form DS-11 or DS-82 (depending on whether you are renewing or replacing), include your old passport, a new photo, and the fee, then mail everything to the address on the form.

Mail processing takes four to six weeks under normal conditions and up to eight weeks during peak travel season (spring and summer). The passport agency will mail your new passport back to you. You do not need to visit an office at all for this route.

If you are applying for your first passport or your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, you cannot use the mail route — you must go to an acceptance facility or passport agency in person.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed application form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal), a government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), a new passport photo, and the fee. The fee varies depending on the type of passport and your age — check the State Department website for current amounts.

If you are applying for a child's passport, bring the child, both parents' IDs, the child's birth certificate, and written consent from any parent not present. If you are renewing and your passport is not damaged, you may be able to mail it instead of going in person — ask the facility when you book.

Bring originals of all documents, not copies. The acceptance facility or agency will make copies for you. If any document is not in English, bring a certified English translation along with the original.

How long appointments take and what to expect

An appointment at an acceptance facility usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. The staff will review your documents, take your photo if you did not bring one, collect your fee, and give you a receipt. They will tell you when to expect your passport in the mail — usually two to three weeks for routine service.

An appointment at a passport agency takes 30 to 45 minutes and includes the same steps, but the agency can issue your passport the same day or within a few days if you paid for expedited service. Expedited service costs extra and is only available at passport agencies, not acceptance facilities.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring all required documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost. If you are missing any document, the facility will turn you away and you will have to reschedule.

What to do if you cannot find an appointment

If your county's acceptance facilities are fully booked, try facilities in neighboring counties — you can use any acceptance facility in the country, not just one near you. Search the State Department locator for facilities in nearby areas and call to ask about their availability.

If you need your passport within two weeks and cannot find an acceptance facility appointment, call the National Passport Information Center to book a passport agency appointment instead. Passport agencies prioritize urgent cases and usually have openings within a few days.

If you are applying by mail and the wait is too long, you can pay for expedited service, which cuts the processing time to two to three weeks instead of four to six. Mail your application with the expedited fee to the address on the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk in without an appointment?

Most facilities do not accept walk-ins and will turn you away. A very small number of acceptance facilities take walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis, but you should call ahead to confirm. Passport agencies never accept walk-ins — you must have a scheduled appointment.

What if I miss my appointment?

Call the facility or agency as soon as you know you cannot make it and ask to reschedule. If you miss your appointment without calling, you may lose your slot and have to wait for the next available opening, which could be weeks away.

Do I need to bring my child to the appointment?

Yes, if you are applying for a child's passport for the first time, the child must be present at the appointment. For passport renewals, the child does not need to attend if they are over 16 and their passport is not damaged.

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

You can book an appointment for a minor or dependent adult, but that person must be present at the appointment with valid ID. You cannot submit someone else's application without them there.

How do I know if my appointment is confirmed?

The facility or agency will give you a confirmation number or receipt when you book. Write it down and bring it to your appointment. If you booked online, you should receive a confirmation email — check your spam folder if you do not see it.