To avoid this frustration, a growing number of applicants are searching for a passport office near them that accepts walk-ins. While it isn't always the best option (more on this later), it is an option many travelers consider.
Before you visit a walk-in passport office near you, you need to know how they work. To help, let's clarify several things about these facilities so that you know what to expect.
Most application acceptance facilities require an appointment. While there are over 7,400 passport acceptance facilities, there are far fewer locations that accept walk-ins.
It may be necessary for you to travel 10 to 30 miles or more, to get to a facility where you don't need an appointment. It all depends on where you live.
If you don't have the ability (or time) to make this work, consider getting help from a reputable passport expediter. These services can dramatically reduce the effort involved in getting a new passport or a passport renewal.
While we try to keep our records up-to-date, we depend on the initiative of the passport facilities to update their own information.
Before attempting to submit your passport application as a walk-in, we recommend that you try calling the facility first. This will allow you to confirm the facility's hours for submitting applications as well as their walk-in policy.
Many of the facilities that do accept walk-ins often establish a cut-off time for getting in line. These cut-off times may be 30 minutes or more before closing.
This means that just because you arrive before closing time doesn't mean that you will be allowed to submit your application. For this reason, we recommend that you arrive earlier rather than later.
What's more, there may not be a way to know if these limits exist until it is too late. Once again, our recommendation is that you arrive early and try to be one of the first applicants in line.
There are a lot of different types of places that accept passport accplications.
There are a couple of things that are true of all acceptance facilities. This is regardless of whether they accept walk-ins or are appointment-only:
You can get a passport faster than a walk-in appointment at a passport acceptance facility. To do so, you will have to submit your passport application at a regional passport agency or center.
Know that regional passport agencies and centers require an appointment. However, they usually accept walk-ins when they can. Therefore, for the best chances of getting your passport quickly, you should first try to schedule an appointment.
If an appointment is not available before your departure date, try your luck as a walk-in. If you do, be sure to arrive early and have all your required documents with you.
Alternatively, if you are unable to go in person, you can get a registered courier to submit your passport application for expedited service at a regional agency. Couriers are able to hand deliver application forms every day, so they are not required to make an appointment. Click for expedited passport courier service in 5 days or less!.