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

San Diego Passport Agency Expedited Service

The San Diego Passport Agency expedites passports for U.S. citizens with urgent travel needs. If you require passport service in order to travel abroad within 14 days when no visa is required or within 28 days if you need to get a travel visa, then you can apply at the San Diego Agency. The first step is to make an appointment by calling an automated system which is available 24 hours/day. Appointments can also be made through the new online appointment system.

If you are unable to travel to the San Diego Passport Agency but need to get your passport fast, you can apply through a qualified passport expediting service.

If you do not have emergency travel needs, you must apply in person for a new passport at a California passport office or by mail if you need a renewal.

San Diego Passport Agency
1 Columbia Place
401 West A St.
10th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

Appointments Available From

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mondays through Fridays

All Federal Holidays are excluded

Automated Appointment Phone Number

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

Processing Times

Will call service is offered for life/death emergencies and immediate travel abroad (leaving within 8 business days). Pickup will be based on travel plans. For all other customers, passports will be issued within 8 business days of applying at the agency. You will be informed of how the passport will be sent during your appointment.

*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 8 and 11 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 5 to 7 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

Directions

Public Transportation Directions

From Santa Fe Depot (1050 Kettner Blvd):Walk approximately two blocks heading East on West B St toward Kettner Blvd, turn left at Kettner Blvd, turn left at West Ash St, turn left at Pacific Hwy

From Main Downtown Trolley Station (American Plaza): Walk approximately two blocks heading North on India St toward West B St, turn left at West Ash St, turn left at Pacific Hwy

Driving Directions Metered parking is available, and public parking lots range from $8.00 - $12.00 (daily rate)

From San Diego International Airport:Head West on North Harbor Dr towards Winship Ln, make a U-turn at Winship Ln, turn left at West Grape St, turn right at Pacific Hwy, turn left at West A St

From San Ysidro Port of Entry (South): Take I-5 North to exit 17A, merge onto West Hawthorne St, turn left at Pacific Hwy, turn left at West A St

From San Diego Coastal (North):Take I-5 South toward Downtown to exit 17, merge onto Front St toward the Civic Center, turn right at West Ash St, turn left at Pacific Hwy, take the first left onto West A St

Apply online for reliale expedited passport courier service.

What to Do When You Arrive for Your Appointment at the San Diego 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.

Take the elevator to the 10th 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.)