Where to Schedule Your Passport Appointment

The two places that take passport appointments

You can schedule a passport appointment at a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. These are different places that handle different situations, and which one you need depends on whether you already have a passport and how quickly you need it.

A passport acceptance facility is usually a post office, library, or courthouse in your town. They handle new passports and renewals by mail for people who are not in a rush. A passport agency is a federal office that handles expedited service, replacements for lost or stolen passports, and damage cases. If you need your passport within weeks rather than months, or if your situation is complicated, you go to the agency instead.

Key Takeaways

• Passport acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, courthouses) handle routine new passports and standard renewals and do not require an appointment in most places.
• Passport agencies handle expedited passports, lost or stolen passports, and damage cases, and most require you to schedule an appointment in advance.
• You can find your nearest acceptance facility by searching the State Department's facility locator or calling ahead to confirm hours and what documents they need.
• To schedule at a passport agency, visit the State Department's appointment system at passports.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778.
• Bring your completed form, proof of citizenship, photo ID, and a new passport photo to whichever location you choose.

Finding a passport acceptance facility near you

Most people start at a passport acceptance facility because they are local and free to use. The State Department runs a facility locator at iafdb.travel.state.gov where you enter your city or ZIP code and see every post office, library, and courthouse in your area that accepts passport applications. The list shows their hours, phone numbers, and whether they are currently open.

Call before you go. Some facilities have reduced hours, and a few have paused accepting passports temporarily. When you call, ask what documents they need you to bring and whether they accept checks or only cash. Most post offices accept both, but some smaller locations are cash-only. Ask too whether they take appointments or work on a walk-in basis — the majority work walk-in, but a few require you to call ahead and reserve a time slot.

If you are renewing a passport by mail and do not need to appear in person, you do not need an appointment at all. You can mail your application directly to the address on the form, though processing takes several months.

Scheduling at a passport agency for faster service

If you need your passport within two to four weeks, or if your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, you must go to a passport agency rather than an acceptance facility. Passport agencies are federal offices in major cities, and nearly all of them require an appointment.

Schedule your appointment at passports.state.gov using the online appointment system. You will select your nearest agency, choose a date and time from available slots, and receive a confirmation number. If you cannot use the website, call 1-877-487-2778 to schedule 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.

When you book, the system will ask why you need an appointment — whether it is expedited service, a lost or stolen passport, damage, or a name change. Answer honestly, because the agency uses this to route your case and estimate how long you will wait. Expedited appointments often have shorter wait times than routine ones.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed passport form (Form DS-11 for a new passport, Form DS-82 for a standard renewal, or Form DS-64 if your passport was lost or stolen). You will also need proof of citizenship — an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport. Bring a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or state ID card.

You must have a new passport photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. Most acceptance facilities and all passport agencies can take your photo on site for a fee if you do not have one, but bringing one saves time and money. Bring the original documents, not copies — the agency or facility will not accept photocopies of your birth certificate or ID.

If you are applying for a minor's passport, bring the child's birth certificate and both parents' IDs. If only one parent is present, bring a notarized consent form from the other parent, or a court order granting sole custody.

Passport agency locations and typical wait times

The State Department operates passport agencies in 17 cities: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C., and a few others. You can see the full list and their addresses on passports.state.gov.

Wait times vary by location and season. Agencies in major cities like New York and Los Angeles often have longer waits than smaller ones. Summer and early fall are peak travel seasons, so appointments fill faster and processing takes longer. If your nearest agency is fully booked, check agencies in nearby cities — you can travel to any agency in the country for your appointment.

Processing time at an agency is usually one to two weeks for expedited service, though it can stretch longer during peak season. Standard service at an acceptance facility takes four to six weeks by mail, sometimes longer.

What happens if you cannot find an appointment

If the online system shows no available appointments at your nearest agency, check again in a few days — cancellations open up regularly and slots refill. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 to ask whether appointments are available by phone that are not showing online, though this is rare.

If you truly cannot get an appointment and your travel date is approaching, you have two options. First, contact your nearest passport agency directly by phone and explain your situation — they may be able to fit you in as a walk-in for an emergency. Second, if you are traveling internationally within the next week, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad; they can issue an emergency passport valid for limited travel.

Do not wait until the last week before your trip to schedule. Passport agencies prioritize by appointment date, not by travel date, so booking late means a late appointment and a tight timeline.

Acceptance facilities versus agencies: which one do you need?

Situation	Go to	Appointment needed?	Processing time
New passport, no rush	Acceptance facility	Usually no	4–6 weeks by mail
Renewing by mail, standard service	Mail application directly	No	4–6 weeks
New passport, need it in 2–4 weeks	Passport agency	Yes	1–2 weeks
Lost, stolen, or damaged passport	Passport agency	Yes	1–2 weeks
Name change or correction	Passport agency	Yes	1–2 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk in to a passport agency without an appointment?

Most passport agencies do not accept walk-ins and will turn you away if you do not have a scheduled appointment. A few agencies in smaller cities may take walk-ins during off-peak times, but you should not count on it. Always schedule ahead through passports.state.gov or by phone.

Do I need an appointment at a post office for a passport?

Most post offices accept passport applications on a walk-in basis and do not require an appointment. However, some locations in busy areas do ask you to call ahead and reserve a time. Call your local post office before you go to confirm their process.

What if I miss my passport agency appointment?

If you miss your appointment, you lose that time slot. You will need to schedule a new appointment through passports.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778. If your travel date is very soon, call the agency directly and explain — they may be able to reschedule you quickly or fit you in as a walk-in.

Can I schedule a passport appointment for someone else?

You can schedule an appointment for a minor or dependent adult, but that person must be present at the appointment. The applicant themselves must sign the form and answer questions in person. You cannot complete a passport application on someone else's behalf.

How far in advance should I schedule a passport appointment?

Schedule as soon as you know your travel date. During peak season (May through August), appointments at major agencies fill two to three weeks out. During slower months, you may find slots one to two weeks ahead. Booking early gives you more choice of dates and times.