Where to Get a U.S. Passport

Where you apply for a U.S. passport depends on the application form and your travel date.

Eligible adults can renew online or by mail. First-time applicants, children, and applicants who cannot renew must submit Form DS-11 in person. Passport agencies and centers serve travelers with urgent international travel.

When routine or expedited service is too slow, a registered passport courier can review the application and coordinate submission, tracking, pickup, and return delivery for an eligible urgent case. Check the service speeds available for your application before ordering.

Renew Your Passport Online or by Mail

Eligible adults can renew a passport without visiting an acceptance facility.

Online Passport Renewal

Online renewal is available to eligible U.S. citizens who want routine service. The applicant must complete and submit the application through the official State Department website. Third-party companies cannot submit an online renewal for you.

Online applications cannot be expedited. Your travel must be at least six weeks after the date you submit the application.

Read our online passport renewal guide for eligibility rules, photo requirements, and application steps.

Passport Renewal by Mail

You can renew by mail with Form DS-82 when your most recent passport:

• Can be submitted with the application
• Was issued within the last 15 years
• Was issued when you were age 16 or older
• Was valid for 10 years
• Is not damaged beyond normal wear
• Shows your current name, or you can document the name change

Mail renewal is available with routine or expedited processing. Use the mailing address printed on the current Form DS-82. Addresses can change, so do not copy one from an older webpage or saved application.

See our passport renewal guide for forms, fees, photos, and mailing instructions.

When the current expedited timeline does not fit your trip, review the available urgent passport renewal options.

Official source: Where to Apply for a U.S. Passport.

When to Visit a Passport Acceptance Facility

A passport acceptance facility accepts Form DS-11 applications for the State Department. These facilities do not print passports or approve applications.

You generally need to apply at an acceptance facility if you are:

• Applying for your first passport
• Applying for a child or renewing a passport issued before age 16
• Replacing a lost passport, stolen passport, or significantly damaged passport
• Applying with a passport issued more than 15 years ago
• Otherwise ineligible to renew online or by mail

You must appear in person, show the required documents, and sign Form DS-11 in front of the acceptance agent. A courier cannot complete this appearance for you. For an eligible urgent application, the courier can submit the sealed application package after the appointment.

How to Find a Passport Acceptance Facility

The State Department lists more than 7,500 acceptance facilities. They include post offices, clerks of court, public libraries, and local government offices. Many require appointments, and some take passport photos.

Use our passport office locator, then confirm the location's hours, appointment policy, fees, and photo services.

What to Bring

• A completed but unsigned Form DS-11
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship
• Valid identification and a photocopy
• One passport photo
• Passport and acceptance fees
• Documents required for a child, name change, or replacement application

Acceptance facilities offer routine or expedited submission. The State Department processes and issues the passport. Mailing time is separate from the published processing time.

When the expedited timeline is too slow, compare registered passport courier options or check whether you qualify for a passport agency appointment.

When to Visit a Passport Agency or Center

A passport agency or center provides appointment-only service for urgent international travel. These locations accept new applications, renewals, replacements, and corrections.

You can request an appointment when:

• You have international travel within 14 calendar days, or
• You need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days of travel

You must bring proof of international travel and pay the additional expedite fee. The agency sets the pickup or delivery schedule after reviewing your travel date and application.

1. Use the online passport appointment system to check eligibility and look for an appointment.
2. Complete the correct passport form.
3. Gather your supporting documents, passport photo, proof of travel, and payment.
4. Follow the arrival and security instructions in the appointment confirmation.

If you already submitted an application and your travel has become urgent, do not submit a second application. Call the National Passport Information Center for instructions.

If the agency trip is not workable, a registered passport courier can coordinate an eligible urgent submission. Service speed depends on the application type, available agency capacity, government processing, and shipping.

Read our guide to passport agency appointments and locations.

Official source: Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency.

Where to Get a Passport Outside the United States

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate when applying for a passport outside the United States. Each consular section sets its own appointment, document, payment, and delivery procedures.

Full-Validity Passport Service Abroad

For a full-validity passport, follow the instructions published by the embassy or consulate. You will generally need to:

1. Complete the correct passport form
2. Gather the required citizenship and identity documents
3. Provide a passport photo
4. Pay the required fees
5. Attend an appointment or use an approved mail procedure when offered

Processing and delivery times vary by country. Contact the consular section directly when travel is urgent. A U.S.-based passport courier does not replace the embassy or consulate application process abroad.

Emergency Passport Service Abroad

A U.S. embassy or consulate can issue an emergency passport when urgent circumstances prevent it from issuing a full-validity passport. Emergency passports are valid for one year or less. Some countries do not accept them for entry or transit, so check the rules for every destination on the itinerary.

Replace the emergency passport with a full-validity passport after the urgent trip. The correct form, supporting documents, and fees depend on why the passport was limited and when it was issued. Follow the letter and endorsement supplied with the passport.

Read our limited-validity passport guide for replacement instructions.

If a passport is lost or stolen abroad, report it to the local police when possible and bring a copy of the report to the embassy or consulate.

Official source: Replace a Limited-Validity Passport.

Choose the Right Passport Application Route

Routine processing currently takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing currently takes 2 to 3 weeks. Add mailing time to both estimates.

Apply Through the Correct Office

• Renew online or by mail when you qualify and have enough time.
• Use an acceptance facility for Form DS-11.
• Use a passport agency or center for qualifying urgent travel.
• Contact a U.S. embassy or consulate when applying abroad.

A courier can review an application and handle eligible urgent-submission logistics. Check the available service tier instead of relying on a fixed turnaround.