Disclaimer: This site may earn affiliate commissions from your purchases through our links, at no extra cost. Learn more.

Schedule a Passport Appointment Online: Routine & Expedited Service

How to Book a Passport Appointment Online

There are 2 ways to make a passport appointment online. Your choice depends on how quickly you need your new passport:

Table of Contents

Routine passport processing appointments

Appointments for new passport applications are available online through the United States Postal Service. Users can use the online appointment scheduler to apply for a new passport in person at an application acceptance facility. We detail each of the steps of this process in the video below.

Note that both individual and family appointments are available. Some locations offer passport photo services, as well.

That said, the more services and applications involved with your appointment, the more time it will take, especially if each person needs a passport photo taken. As a result, you may have to try multiple locations before finding one with the number of consecutive available appointments you need to submit your applications.

Be advised: Routine passport processing time is currently taking 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited applications are taking 2 to 3 weeks This does not include delivery times. Our expert advice is to apply early. If you know you are going to be traveling internationally, plan to get your passport as soon as possible.

Urgent Passport Processing Appointments

If you have urgent international travel plans and need either a new passport or a passport renewal, you can schedule an appointment online at a Regional Passport Agency. Appointments at these agencies are only for those who need to get a passport expedited and can provide proof of travel abroad within the next two weeks (or 28 days if a visa is required).

The video below gives a full walkthrough of how the online appointment scheduling process works.

Note: you may find it hard to get an appointment depending on demand and the season. If you require an emergency passport appointment but are struggling to get one, you do have some additional options:

  • Contact the congressional liaison department for your state's representatives - Your congressperson may be able to help you get your passport application processed more quickly than you can on your own. Just like with other methods For more on this strategy, check out our guide to expediting a passport with your congressperson's help.
  • Attempt to get an appointment at a regional agency other than the one closest to you - Just because you have a regional passport agency nearby, doesn't mean that's where you have to go to apply for an urgent or emergency passport. You can always try to get an appointment at one of the 25 other agency locations (knowing it will require additional travel and costs).

What if you need a new passport fast?

Passport expediting services can help you get your new passport fast. However, an expediter can't get you out of the requirements that you must sign the DS-11 New Passport Application and take an oath in front of a Passport Acceptance Agent. Even if you are using a passport expediting service to get a new passport fast, you will still need to make an appointment to sign your form in person.

The good news is that you can sign your DS-11 and complete your oath at one of the thousands of passport offices across the country. The form can then be mailed or handed to a passport expediting service. Follow the directions to make an appointment through the USPS website to satisfy your signature and oath requirements, and then you can hand over your application materials to your passport expediter of choice. They will then be able to rush your application to a regional passport agency for you.

Visit our guide to the top US passport expeditors to find a reliable and efficient expediting service that can help you get your travel documents on time.

Book a Routine Passport Appointment Online at USPS.com

The United States Postal Service online passport appointment system is simple. In most cases, it is better than the previous system of requesting appointments by phone.

Here's how the online USPS scheduler works:

Step 1: Choose a Service

The first step is to select the passport service you need from the drop-down menu.

There are four options:

  • New Passport Only
  • New Passport with Photo Service
  • Passport Photo Only
  • Passport Renewal

If you select Passport Renewal, you will see a message that you are not eligible to make an appointment. This is because you do not need to apply in person to renew a passport.

Check that you meet the requirements for a passport renewal. If you qualify, complete Form DS-82 and mail it to the address on the form. You can also choose to expedite your passport renewal if you need to.

Apply for a new passport if you need:

Next, select the total number of adult and minor applicants. For passport purposes, a minor is anyone under the age of 16.

You can select up to 6 adults and 6 minors for a single appointment.

Step 2: Choose Search Method

The online appointment system allows you to search by Location or Date. We recommend you search by Location first to find the passport offices nearest to you. If the nearest locations do not have available dates that work for you, try searching by date.

Know that the online system has some limitations:

  • The system does not include all the passport application acceptance facilities that exist.
  • The system does not show some offices. Some that are missing include public libraries, local government offices, and post offices that do not need an appointment.

Moving on. At this step, you can check the small box to include locations that offer photo services. This is an option even if you did not include this service in Step 1.

Next, you will see a list of passport application acceptance facilities within the radius you chose. On larger devices, maps will also appear. Hovering over the "i" icon next to a location will bring up a list of Appointment Hours (pictured below).

If you don't get any results, you need to increase the radius.

Once you find a location that has hours that work for you, click the "Select Location" button. A section will open for you to select a date.

A window will open with a calendar. Find the date you want to submit your passport application and click the "Select Date" button.

Step 3: Select a Time

Select an available time from the list. The schedule has 15-minute slots for each application. As such, you will need a longer appointment slot if you need many passports at once.

Once you make your selections, they will be listed on the page for you. Make a mistake? You can click the "Edit" link to make any changes.

Step 4: Provide Contact Information

Enter your first name, last name, telephone number, and e-mail address. You can also request to receive text message updates. This is a good way to make sure you get reminders and information about your appointment.

Be sure to check the box to agree to the Terms and Conditions. You cannot make your appointment without doing so.

Review the Privacy Act Statement, then click the button to review your information.

Step 5: Review & Confirm Appointment Information

Before moving on, review everything. Make sure your personal information is correct. Confirm and note your chosen location, date, and time of your appointment. Once you're sure everything is good to go, click the button and confirm your appointment. You will receive a confirmation number that should be kept for your records.

If any information is incorrect, click the "Edit" link and make any necessary changes.

It's possible you can't get an appointment close enough or as soon as you need. If you need more choices than the online system offers, visit our passport facility directory. It includes a longer list of state-by-state listings to choose from.

If you need to apply for a passport by a specific date but can't get a passport appointment near you using this system, visit our passport facility directory for more options. Our directory includes other authorized locations such as public libraries, universities, and both municipal and county government buildings.

Step 6: Prepare for Your Appointment and Go

Once you have booked your appointment, all that's left is to gather your completed application, supporting documents (including your proof of citizenship documents), and payment (check or money order are always accepted, and most locations also accept credit and debit cards).

Verify you have everything you need and properly completed before going to your appointment. In some cases, errors may result in a denied application. That means you will have to start the process again, including making a new appointment.

You can check the U.S. State Department website for application status updates. Once your new passport has been issued, it will arrive in the mail. We recommend opting for rush delivery service via Priority Mail Express, which shortens the delivery time to 72 hours or less.

How to Schedule an Urgent Appointment at a Regional Passport Agency

If you have urgent international travel plans and need expedited passport services, scheduling an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency is the way to go. Follow the steps below to get started.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Regional Passport Agency appointments are only available for travelers with urgent needs. To qualify, you must:

  • Have international travel plans: Travel must be within 14 days or 28 days if a visa is required. For more details, check out our guide on proof of travel requirements.
  • Provide proof of travel: A flight itinerary, hotel reservation, or a similar document showing your travel plans is required.

If you don't meet these requirements, explore options like routine passport services or expediters. Learn more in our emergency passport renewal guide.

Step 2: Gather the Necessary Information

Before scheduling your appointment, make sure you have the following information ready:

  • Your full name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
  • Your travel details, including dates, destination, and purpose of the trip.

Be sure to prepare the required documents in advance, including proof of identity and a compliant passport photo.

Step 3: Schedule Your Appointment

Appointments can be booked either online or by phone. Here's how:

Online Scheduling
  1. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Online Passport Appointment System.
  2. Choose the option to schedule an appointment at a passport agency or center.
  3. Enter your ZIP code to find the nearest agency. To compare agencies, see our ranked guide to regional passport agencies.
  4. Select an available date and time that works for your schedule.
  5. Confirm your appointment and save the confirmation number for your records.
Phone Scheduling
  1. Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
  2. Follow the prompts to schedule an appointment.
  3. Provide your personal and travel information as requested.
  4. Record your appointment details and confirmation number for reference.

Note: Appointment availability varies by location and season. If appointments at your nearest agency are unavailable, try other locations or call the hotline for additional options. Alternatively, explore our list of top passport expediters for additional assistance.

These professionals can make and attend Regional Passport Agency appointments on your behalf, saving yout time and money.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Appointment

Ensure you have the following items ready to bring with you:

  • Completed application form: Download and fill out Form DS-11 for new passports or the appropriate renewal form.
  • Proof of citizenship: Examples include a certified birth certificate or a previous passport.
  • Proof of identity: Bring a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license. See acceptable proof of identity for more details.
  • Passport photo: One recent, compliant photo. Learn more about passport photo requirements.
  • Proof of travel: Printed evidence of your travel plans, such as a flight itinerary.
  • Payment: Application fees can be paid by check, money order, or credit/debit card.

Tip: Verify your documents are complete and accurate before your appointment to avoid delays.

Step 5: Attend Your Appointment

On the day of your appointment:

  • Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
  • Pass security: Be prepared for security screening at the agency. Avoid bringing prohibited items.
  • Check-in: Provide your confirmation number and ID at the check-in desk.
  • Submit your application: Hand over your documents to the passport agent for review and processing.

Once approved, your expedited passport will be sent to you by mail.

Additional Tips

By following these steps, you can secure your appointment and get your passport in time for your trip.

Related Articles:

About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Fast Track My Passport: Speedy and reliable courier service.

Get the Latest Updates

Fill out the form, tick all boxes, click subscribe for updates on passports and travel news.