Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.

Houston Passport Agency Expedited Service

The Houston Passport Agency expedites passports for U.S. citizens within 8 days to as quickly as the same day for applicants with urgent travel needs. Individuals who are not in a rush can apply for a new passport at application acceptance facilities in the Houston area.

Regional agencies only serve those who need to travel, or submit their passports for foreign entry visas, within 14-28 days. The first step is to schedule an appointment through the automated service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Appointments can also be made through the new online appointment system.

If you are unable to travel to Houston to present your application, you can authorize a third party to submit the application. This can be a friend, family member, travel agent or registered courier service.

If your departure date is more than 14 days away, or you do not need to submit your passport for foreign visas within 28 days, you can submit the application form and supporting documents at the nearest application acceptance facility.

Click here for urgent passport expediting by a registered courier service .

Houston Passport Agency
George Thomas "Mickey" Leland Federal Building
1919 Smith Street,4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002

Appointments Available From

7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday

All Federal Holidays are excluded

Automated Appointment Phone Number

(Available 24 hours/7 days)
1-877-487-2778

Processing Times

Passports are issued according to travel plans. Same-day passports are issued in emergency situations.

*This agency can issue both the U.S. passport book and U.S. passport card on-site.

UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 10 and 13 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 7 to 9 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.

Map

How to Get to the Houston Passport Agency

Car: From George Bush IAH, take JFK Blvd. to Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway) west. Take the Downtown Houston exit onto I-45 South. Stay on I-45 South, take the McKinny Street exit, go 1 block to Smith Street. Turn right onto Smith Street and follow Smith Street to Pierce Street. The building is on the left.

From Hobby Airport, turn right onto Airport Blvd., travel on Airport Blvd. to I-45. Go under the freeway and enter the freeway going north. Take the St. Joseph Parkway exit off the freeway, follow St. Joseph Parkway to Louisiana Street. The building will be directly across the street.

Taxi: From George Bush IAH and William P. Hobby Airports - taxis available. Travel time from George Bush Airport is approximately one hour, and, from Hobby Airport is approximately 30 minutes.

Apply Online for Your Passport.

What to Do When You Arrive for Your Appointment at the Houston Passport Agency

You will need your Social Security Number or your confirmation number.

Please arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to your appointment. Earlier arrivals will not be admitted.

Late arrivals, 15 minutes after the scheduled appointment, will have to reschedule their appointments.

Upon entry to the building, you will go through security, including metal detectors.

They are located on the 4th floor.

Go to check-in/information. Your appointment will be verified.

You will be given a numbered ticket with the approximate, current waiting time at the bottom. (We do our best to keep the waiting time as short as possible.)