U.S. Regional Passport Agencies Ranked (2026)

Need a passport in days, not weeks? The State Department currently lists 27 passport agency and center locations that accept appointments for urgent international travel. This 2026 ranking compares the 26 locations based on actual custome reviews and feedback

Ratings, service experiences, and appointment availability vary. These rankings show which locations received the strongest and weakest visitor feedback in our analysis; they do not guarantee the outcome or pickup timing of an individual appointment.

Registered passport courier services can reduce the travel, time, and expenses associated with visiting an agency by coordinating document review, submission logistics, tracking, pickup, and return delivery for eligible urgent applications.

Key Takeaways

The following locations received the three highest weighted visitor-review scores in this analysis:

• Buffalo Passport Agency - Buffalo, NY
• Arkansas Passport Center - Hot Springs, AR
• El Paso Passport Agency - El Paso, TX

The following locations received the three lowest weighted visitor-review scores in this analysis:

• New Orleans Passport Center - New Orleans, LA
• National Passport Center - Portsmouth, NH
• Miami Passport Agency - Miami, FL

Methodology: How We Assessed the Agencies

We compiled publicly available online reviews and ratings for the 26 locations included in this analysis. The rankings use weighted averages that account for both each location's average rating and its review volume.

These rankings measure public review sentiment rather than official agency performance. Reviews can be influenced by appointment availability, applicant preparedness, travel urgency, processing expectations, and other factors outside an individual employee's control. Ratings and review counts also change over time.

Why This Regional Passport Agency Review Data Matters

If you need a passport fast, you are not required to visit the agency closest to home. Many locations cluster on the coasts and southern border states.

Passport agency locations remain concentrated in a limited number of states and major metropolitan areas. For many Americans, visiting an agency means driving several hours, crossing state lines, or flying to the appointment.

Travel expenses—including transportation, meals, lodging, and time away from work—add to the cost. The agency determines when each passport will be ready based on the travel date and case circumstances, so applicants should follow the pickup or delivery instructions provided at the appointment.

Because the investment is substantial, choosing the right agency matters. Whether you go yourself or hire a passport courier, service quality and speed can affect both cost and the success of your trip.

Top 3 Regional Passport Agencies

These locations received the strongest weighted review scores in the analysis. Visitor feedback frequently highlights organized service, helpful staff, and successful urgent-passport outcomes.

1st - Buffalo Passport Agency (Buffalo, NY)

Weighted Average Rating: 4.77 / 5

The Good.

The Buffalo Passport Agency is praised for efficiency, organization, professionalism, friendly and helpful staff, and rapid service. Numerous reviewers cite same-day turnaround for last-minute applications.

Positive Review Highlights

• "The customer service at the Buffalo Passport Agency exceeded my expectations. . efficient and organized . finished in a timely manner." (Aho, Google)
• ". pleasantly surprised by the sharp, efficient service . appointments plentiful . same-day service . new passport in two minutes." (Mr. Yen, Google)
• "BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE ever received from any Government Agency . lines flowed easily . one-day expedited passport." (Cleopatra, Google)
• "Saved my international travel plans . had passport done by 1 PM so I could catch my flight." (Amanda - Yelp)
• "Extremely helpful, fast, efficient. Cannot recommend enough." (Ryan W., Yelp)

The Bad.

Few negatives appear; most gripe about removal of the online booking system.

Negative Review Highlights

• "Horrible scheduling system . banning online appointments . takes forever to answer calls." (Dante B., Yelp)
• State Dept. response: ". We removed online booking to ensure last-minute slots go to urgent travelers . Call 877-487-2778 to check availability."

Why Buffalo Is a Top Choice

Strong customer-service ratings, repeated reports of same-day issuance for qualifying urgent travelers, and proactive staff make Buffalo the highest-rated location in this analysis.

2nd - Arkansas Passport Center (Hot Springs, AR)

Weighted Average Rating: 4.41 / 5

The Good.

The Arkansas Passport Center earns praise for great customer service, efficiency, professionalism, kind and informative staff, and prompt same-day service.

Many reviewers describe a straightforward, hassle-free process when they arrive early with the correct paperwork.

Positive Review Highlights

• "I had a very positive experience . lost my passport the day before travel . staff was kind, efficient, understanding . same-day passport." (Jill, Google)
• "Great team. Drove 5 hrs . passport for my daughter a day before our flight; extremely efficient and friendly." (Karim, Google)
• "Lots of people (pre-spring break) but got us in quickly; waited a couple hours and had passports the same day because departure was in 2 days." (Brigid, Google)
• "Highly recommend . staff friendly and professional; get there 30-60 min early . they accept first-come-first-served." (Alyssa, Google)

The Bad.

Negative reviews come mostly from travelers who failed to book or arrive early. Others note the remote location.

Negative Review Highlights

• "Be at least 30 minutes early; they pull numbers when you enter, not by appointment time . Ubers are practically nonexistent." (Jenn B., Yelp)

Why Arkansas Is a Top Choice

Reviewers frequently report same-day issuance when travel is imminent and application documents are complete. Kind, efficient staff and an organized intake process help offset the remote location.

3rd - El Paso Passport Agency (El Paso, TX)

Weighted Average Rating: 4.36 / 5

The Good.

Reviewers applaud the El Paso office for exceptional customer service, efficiency, reliability, and professionalism. Staff are kind, supportive, and knowledgeable.

Many cite successful urgent and emergency same-day issuance.

Positive Review Highlights

• "Kind, sympathetic, professional staff . appointment 8 AM, passport in hand by 10:30 AM-same-day international flight saved." (Ann, Google)
• "Needed passport for my daughter the same day . appointment 7:30; by 11 AM we had it-excellent customer service!" (Christina, Google)
• "Lifesavers . went above and beyond so I could travel to England-very kind and helpful." (Cerise C., Yelp)
• "Surprisingly amazing . processed by 8:10, passport at 11:15 . well-oiled machine." (Nate, Google)

The Bad.

Few negatives; most involve applicants arriving with the wrong form or missing documents. Some mention mail-in processing issues.

Negative Review Highlights

• "Drove 20 hrs . staff insisted on form 3053 though letter requested 5525." (Say, Google)

Why El Paso Is a Top Choice

Frequent reports of same-day issuance for urgent travelers, combined with empathetic staff and efficient service, give El Paso the third-highest weighted score in this analysis.

Bottom 3 Regional Passport Agencies

These offices earn the lowest weighted scores and draw the most consistent complaints.

24th - Miami Passport Agency (Miami, FL)

Weighted Average Rating: 2.90 / 5

The Bad.

The country's busiest agency suffers long appointment waits, slow same-day processing, and poor customer service. Some travelers missed flights despite paying expedited fees.

Negative Review Highlights

• "Same-day passports cost extra yet took 4 hours; workers weren't kind." (Morgan, Google)
• "Awful service . mismanagement cost me thousands when passport missed published timeline." (Julia, Google)
• "Made us wait day-of . flight missed . If you do same-day, book a late flight." (Grace, Yelp)
• "Waited 4+ hrs with no status updates . unprofessional and inconsiderate." (TL, Google)

The Good.

A minority reports efficient, friendly encounters when they arrive early with complete paperwork.

Positive Review Highlights

• "Nice and efficient . appointment online, back to pick up at noon, passport by 12:37." (Ana, Google)

Why Miami Is Not a Top Choice

Miami's lower weighted score reflects recurring complaints about long waits and inconsistent communication, although some prepared applicants report efficient same-day experiences.

25th - National Passport Center (Portsmouth, NH)

Weighted Average Rating: 2.80 / 5

The Bad.

Mail-in renewals report lost passports, missing documents, and phone hold times. Appointment slots are scarce.

Negative Review Highlights

• "They lost my passport . paid expedited . two hours on hold, must start over." (Kelly, Yelp)
• "Old passport missing . paid again, new photos, very disappointed." (L.K., Yelp)
• "Sent certified marriage certificate; letter says they didn't receive it-they already have my only copy." (Miss M., Google)
• "16 weeks . application allegedly unsigned . birth certificate lost." (Scott A., Google)

The Good.

Emergency walk-ins sometimes praise friendly staff and same-day issuance.

Positive Review Highlights

• "Travel emergency . very positive experience; left with passport in ~5 hrs." (Katie O., Yelp)

Why Portsmouth Is Not a Top Choice

Reports of document-handling and communication problems weigh heavily on Portsmouth's rating, despite positive feedback from some urgent applicants.

26th - New Orleans Passport Center (New Orleans, LA)

Weighted Average Rating: 2.71 / 5

The Bad.

Reviews focus on slow processing and unhelpful staff. Many cite missed vacations despite paying expedited fees.

Negative Review Highlights

• "Paid expedited . 9 weeks and nothing; could not get appointment; lost vacation money." (Tricia, Google)
• "Doesn't work. Trip canceled, no response even to congressman." (Mollyanne, Yelp)
• "Worst passport office . staff ignored me . passport just sitting there." (Spencer, Google)
• "Apply 6 months early . 10 weeks, no passport; phone line hangs up." (O A, Google)

The Good.

Some last-minute travelers praise staff kindness and same-day pickups when prepared.

Positive Review Highlights

• "Same-day passport for last-minute wedding; everyone nice and helpful." (Thomas, Yelp)

Why New Orleans Is Not a Top Choice

Recurring complaints about delays and communication give New Orleans the lowest weighted visitor-review score in this analysis, although some urgent travelers report positive same-day experiences.

When a Passport Courier Is the Better Fit

Agency rankings matter most when you plan to travel to a passport agency yourself. A registered passport courier is often the more practical route when you qualify for urgent service but cannot reasonably manage the agency trip.

Couriers coordinate document review, submission logistics, tracking, pickup, and return delivery for eligible applications. They do not receive preferential adjudication, but they can eliminate much of the travel and administrative burden involved in handling an urgent application yourself.

Passport Couriers Can Save You Time

Visiting an agency yourself requires securing an appointment, traveling to the location, completing security and intake, and following the agency's pickup or delivery instructions. A courier coordinates the submission and return process so you can continue working, preparing for travel, or handling other responsibilities.

Applicants using Form DS-11 must still appear before an authorized acceptance agent before the courier submits the sealed application package.

Passport Couriers Can Save You Money

A courier fee can be less expensive than traveling to a regional agency, particularly when the trip requires airfare, lodging, or time away from work. Compare the private service fee with the complete cost of:

• Time away from work
• Airfare, fuel, tolls, parking, or rideshares
• Meals while traveling
• Lodging while waiting for pickup

Use our urgent passport cost worksheet to compare the two routes.

Passport Couriers Can Reduce Stress

Experienced courier services review application materials, identify common document problems, explain submission requirements, and coordinate time-sensitive logistics. This support is especially valuable when application errors or unnecessary travel could disrupt an imminent trip.

Available service speeds depend on the application type, current agency capacity, government processing, and shipping. Compare the options currently available for your application and travel date before ordering.

Learn how private services work in our Guide to Passport Expediters, or compare currently audited providers in the Passport Expediting Service Directory.

Official source: Review the State Department's guidance for using a passport courier company.