Do you need an in-person appointment?

Not everyone needs to apply in person. You may be able to renew your passport by mail if your most recent passport was issued after age 16 and is less than 15 years old.

You must apply in person if you are applying for the first time, your passport was lost or stolen, your passport was issued before age 16, or your name has legally changed. See the U.S. Department of State for the full list of requirements.

What is a passport acceptance facility?

Passport appointments are held at government-designated acceptance facilities, most commonly U.S. Post Office locations, county clerk offices, and public libraries. A government-certified employee ("acceptance agent") conducts the interview, reviews your documents, and submits your application to the U.S. Department of State for processing.

You can search for locations using the Passport Acceptance Facility Search on the U.S. Department of State website.

How to book an appointment yourself

Booking is free through each facility's own scheduling system. The process varies by location: most USPS locations use their RCAS online scheduler, while county and city facilities use their own systems.

Appointments open 28 days in advance. Availability can be extremely limited in large cities and during peak travel seasons (spring and summer). Saturday slots in particular fill within minutes of opening, typically right after midnight. If no appointments appear available, cancellations do open up, so checking frequently or at off-peak hours can help.

If you need a passport within 4 weeks, see Urgent Appointments for expedited options through the U.S. Department of State.

What to bring

The acceptance agent will review these documents during the interview. See the U.S. Department of State for the full checklist.

• Form DS-11: the passport application form. Fill it out beforehand using the free online form filler or print the PDF and complete by hand in black ink. Do not sign it until the agent asks you to during the interview. If you don't have a printer, forms are available at the facility; arrive 20 minutes early.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship: original or certified copy of birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization. Bring a photocopy if possible.
• Photo ID: valid in-state driver's license or equivalent. See accepted ID types.
• Passport photo: it is strongly recommended to have this taken at the facility ($15). The requirements are strict and a pre-taken photo risks rejection.
• Payment for government fees (see fees below).

Government fees

These fees are paid directly to the government during the appointment. They are separate from any third-party scheduling service fees. See the U.S. Department of State fee schedule for current amounts.

• Acceptance fee: $35 (paid to the facility)
• Passport book: $130 adult / $100 child under 16
• Passport card (optional): $30 adult / $15 child under 16
• Passport photo: $15 (if taken at the facility)
• Expedited processing: +$60

Payment methods vary by facility. Most accept personal check, money order, credit, and debit. Money orders are typically available at the facility for a $2 fee (cash or debit). Expect to spend approximately $180 per adult applicant for a standard passport book with photo.

Having trouble finding availability?

Finding an available appointment in a large city or during peak season can be very time-consuming. Pathport LLC is an independent scheduling service that monitors availability across multiple acceptance facilities and books an appointment on your behalf based on your preferences.

Our service fee is $45, separate from all government fees listed above. We are not affiliated with the U.S. government, USPS, or any acceptance facility.

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