How to Get a Passport Appointment When You Need to Travel Soon

Where to book a same-day or next-day passport appointment

If you need a passport within days, you have two real options: a passport acceptance facility that offers expedited service, or a regional passport agency that handles emergency appointments. Not all acceptance facilities offer expedited processing — you have to call ahead and ask. Regional passport agencies (run by the State Department) handle the actual emergency appointments, and they exist in 26 cities across the US.

The fastest route depends on your timeline. If you need the passport in hand within 1 to 2 weeks, an acceptance facility with expedited service may work. If you need it in 3 to 5 business days or sooner, you need a regional passport agency appointment. Call the agency in your region first — they will tell you whether they have same-day or next-day slots and what documents you must bring.

You cannot book a regional passport agency appointment online. You must call the agency directly during business hours. The phone number for your region is on the State Department's website under "Regional Passport Agencies." Have your travel dates and flight confirmation ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

• Regional passport agencies in 26 US cities handle emergency appointments and can issue passports in 3 to 5 business days or same-day in some cases.
• You must call the regional agency directly — there is no online booking — and have your travel confirmation and ID ready.
• Bring your completed passport form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal), proof of citizenship, government ID, and a photo; the agency will tell you what else they need when you call.
• Expedited service at a regular acceptance facility takes 1 to 2 weeks and costs more, but works if your travel date is further out.
• If you are traveling internationally within 72 hours, some agencies can issue a passport the same day, but availability is limited and you must call to confirm.

What documents to bring to a regional passport agency

Bring the same core documents you would bring to any passport appointment, plus your travel confirmation. You need your completed passport application form (DS-11 if this is your first passport or your old one was lost; DS-82 if you are renewing), your original birth certificate or naturalization papers, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), and a new passport photo. The agency will not accept a photo you printed at home — it must meet State Department standards, which means it was taken at a photo service or passport acceptance facility.

Bring your flight itinerary, cruise confirmation, or whatever document shows your travel date and destination. The agency uses this to confirm the urgency. Bring the original documents, not copies — they will return them to you. If you are renewing and your passport is not expired or will not expire within six months, bring that passport too.

If you are applying for someone under 16, that person must be present, and both parents or guardians must be present with photo ID. If only one parent can attend, bring a notarized statement from the other parent giving permission.

How long the appointment takes and when you get your passport

The appointment itself usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. The agency will review your documents, take your photo if you did not bring one that meets their standards, and process your application on the spot. You pay the passport fee plus an expedited service fee at the appointment.

When you get your passport depends on what you told the agency when you called. If you booked a same-day appointment and your application is complete, you may walk out with your passport the same day. If you booked a next-day appointment, you pick it up the next business day. Some agencies mail it to you instead — ask when you call which option they offer. If your application is missing something, they will tell you at the appointment and you may have to come back.

Do not assume same-day service is available. Call the agency and ask what they can do for your specific travel date. If they say they cannot get you a passport in time, ask whether they can issue a temporary travel document that works for air travel while your full passport is being processed.

Cost of an emergency passport appointment

A passport book costs $130 for an adult (age 16 and up). Expedited service adds $60. If you need it the same day or next day, the regional agency may charge an additional emergency fee — this varies by agency, so ask when you call. Some agencies charge $35 to $50 extra for same-day service.

You pay in person at the appointment. Bring a check, money order, or credit card — not all agencies take all payment types, so ask when you call. If you are getting a passport card (the small ID-sized version that works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean), that costs $35 plus the same expedited and emergency fees.

What to do if the regional agency cannot see you in time

If the nearest regional agency has no appointments before your travel date, ask whether they can refer you to another region that has availability. Some people travel to a different city for a same-day appointment if their home region is booked. This is legal and the State Department allows it.

If no regional agency has an opening, ask about a temporary travel document. This is a one-time document that lets you fly internationally while your full passport is being processed. It is not a passport and does not work for all countries, but it can get you on a plane. The agency will tell you whether this is an option for your destination.

If you are stuck, contact your airline or cruise line. Some will rebook you at no charge if you can show that you applied for a passport in time but the government could not process it. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking.

Renewal by mail does not work for urgent travel

If your passport is expired or expiring soon, you might think you can renew it by mail to save time. You cannot. Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks even with expedited service. The only way to get a passport in days is through a regional passport agency appointment.

The one exception: if your passport is not expired and will not expire within six months, you can renew it by mail with expedited service (1 to 2 weeks). But if you need it sooner than that, you still have to go to a regional agency.

Preparing before you call the regional agency

Have these things ready before you pick up the phone: your travel date and destination, your flight or cruise confirmation number, your birth certificate or naturalization papers, your current government ID, and the form you need to fill out (DS-11 or DS-82, which you can download and fill out ahead of time or fill out at the appointment). If you do not have a passport photo yet, ask the agency whether they take photos at the appointment or whether you must bring one.

Write down the phone number and hours for your regional agency before you call. Agencies have different hours and some are closed on weekends. If you reach a voicemail, leave a message with your travel date and call back during business hours — do not wait for a callback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport the same day I call?

Some regional agencies offer same-day service if you have a flight within 72 hours and your application is complete. You must call the agency directly to ask — availability is limited and changes daily. If they say yes, you may be able to come in that afternoon or the next morning and walk out with your passport.

What if I do not have my birth certificate?

You need an original birth certificate or a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. If you do not have it, contact that state's vital records office immediately — they can mail or email a certified copy, but it takes several days. Some regional agencies may accept other documents like a naturalization certificate or baptism record if you explain the situation, but call ahead to ask.

Do I have to go to the agency in my state?

No. You can go to any regional passport agency in the country. If your home state's agency is booked and another region has same-day appointments, you can travel to that city for your appointment. This is allowed and the State Department does not require you to use your home state's agency.

What if my travel plans change after I get the passport?

Your passport is valid for 10 years (or 5 years if you are under 16), so you can use it for any trip during that time. There is no penalty or fee for changing your travel dates after the passport is issued.

Can I get a passport for someone else?

No. The person applying must be present at the appointment, except for children under 16, whose parents or guardians must be present. You cannot pick up someone else's passport or apply on their behalf.