U.S. Regional Passport Agencies Ranked (2025)

Need a passport in days, not weeks? The U.S. has 26 Regional Passport Agencies that handle urgent applications. . Speed, service, and appointment availability vary-our rankings show which offices deliver and which to avoid.

Registered passport expediters can save you the trip, time, and expenses that come with visiting one of these agencies on your own.

Key Takeaways

According to visitors who have applied at these agencies, several locations outperform the rest:

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

Three agencies consistently struggle with customer satisfaction:

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

Methodology: How We Assessed the Agencies

To objectively rank the best and worst regional passport agencies, we compiled data from Yelp and Google Reviews, creating weighted averages of each agency's rating. This approach considers both the average score and the volume of reviews, providing a comprehensive picture of performance from real visitors.

Online reviews often skew negative (studies show people are more likely to complain than compliment), but there is a healthy balance of positive and negative feedback for each location. The analysis below highlights the most significant differences.

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.

California and Texas boast three regional agencies each, while thirty states have none. For many Americans, visiting any agency means traveling for hours-or even days.

Travel expenses-lodging, food, ground transport-and time off work add to the cost. After applying, you may still wait days before the passport is ready for pickup, extending your stay.

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

If one of these agencies is within reach, you're likely to enjoy a speedy, hassle-free experience. While delays happen everywhere, these offices receive overwhelmingly positive feedback.

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

Consistently stellar customer service, same-day passport delivery, and proactive staff make Buffalo a standout despite minor booking gripes.

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

Arrive early with complete documents and you'll likely walk out with a same-day passport. Kind, efficient staff and a clear first-come system offset the rural setting.

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

Consistently fast same-day outcomes plus empathetic staff make El Paso a reliable pick-provided your paperwork is flawless.

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

Chronic waits and service inconsistency make Miami risky unless no alternative exists.

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

Frequent document mishandling and communication gaps overshadow occasional successes.

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

Persistent delays and poor communication make this office the lowest ranked-opt elsewhere if possible.

Alternatives: The Case for Passport Expediters

Considering the wide spread in agency ratings-and the possibility of long waits or lost documents-many travelers turn to registered passport-expediting services. Couriers hand-carry your paperwork to the agency best positioned for a fast turnaround, leveraging professional relationships to secure 24- to 48-hour delivery in urgent cases.

Passport Expediters Can Save You Time

Visiting an agency yourself means booking an appointment, traveling (often by plane), waiting hours or days for processing, then returning for pickup. A courier handles every step so you can keep working-or packing.

Passport Expediters Can Save You Money

When you tally the real costs of a DIY agency visit, a courier fee can be the cheaper option. Factor in:

• Time off from work
• Transportation (airfare, gas, tolls, parking, rideshares)
• Meals on the road
• Lodging while you wait for pickup

The sum often exceeds a professional expediting service-especially if you live far from a top-ranked agency. Use our helpful worksheet to determine which is the most cost-effective option for you.

Passport Expediters Can Reduce Stress

Applying for a passport in a time crunch is nerve-racking. Couriers navigate forms, fees, and agency quirks daily; they spot errors before they derail your trip. If you're under the gun, outsourcing the headache can be priceless.

For a deep dive into pricing, service tiers, and legit companies, read our Ultimate U.S. Traveler's Guide to Passport Expediters. Ready to compare vendors? Skip straight to our curated directory of top passport expediting services.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers