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Passport Appointments, Renewals, & Photo Services | USPS
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Passports

Thousands of Post Offices™ accept first-time passport applications for the U.S. Department of State. Most of those locations can also take your passport photo, including digital photos for online renewals.

Renewing Passports: You must renew by mail or online if you’re eligible; you cannot renew in person:

First-Time Passports, Passports for Minors, and Passport Photos: Schedule your in-person appointment online.

Schedule an Appointment

Alert: For first-time passport and photo services, please make an appointment using our online scheduler, a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk, or at a Post Office retail counter. We also offer limited Passport walk-in hours at select locations.

Save Time with Digital Photo Services: Online passport renewals require a digital photo. For a fee, many USPS Passport locations can take a digital photo that meets State Department requirements. Book your digital photo appointment now.

First-Time Passports

First-time applicants and people who aren't allowed to get a new passport by mail.

Apply at a Post Office

Expedited Service

Renewing Passports

Eligible people renewing a passport should mail their application directly to the State Department or renew online.

Renew by Mail (Available with Expedited Service)

Renew Online (Digital Photo Services Available)

Passports for Minors

Passports for children under 16 have special requirements. Make sure you are prepared.

Learn More

Apply for a First-Time Passport

If you've never had a U.S. passport, are 16 or under, or aren't allowed to renew an existing passport by mail, you need to apply for a new passport in person at the Post Office.

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Step 1: Gather Documents Early

Generally, you should apply for your new passport as soon as you know you’ll be traveling internationally—at least several months in advance. Passport processing times may vary, so be sure to check the latest State Department service estimates. First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who need a new passport but may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U.S. State Department website explains what you'll need to bring with you.

  • Application forms (unsigned)
  • Proof of identity document and a photocopy of the front and back
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship document and a photocopy of the front and back
  • Passport fees

Apply for a Passport in Person

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need.

  1. Complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport on the State Department website.
  2. Print your completed application.
    DO NOT SIGN YOUR APPLICATION. A Postal employee must witness your signature.
  3. Have a passport photo taken. Hard copy and digital photo services are available at many Post Offices; learn more.
  4. Photocopy your proof of identity and U.S. Citizenship documents.
  5. Calculate your fees.
    • Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees.
    • State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier's, traveler's check, or money order, payable to "U.S. Department of State."

Get Started on Your Application

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

Post Offices that offer passport services have set hours, and you'll need to schedule an appointment using the online Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk.

Scheduling Online

  1. Go to Schedule an Appointment.
  2. Choose the passport service you need (including photo services), along with the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
  3. You can search for appointment by location or date first. If you search by location first, you'll then be asked to choose a date and time; if you search by date first, you'll then need to choose a location and time.
  4. After you choose your appointment location and time, provide your contact information, and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
  5. Click Review Appointment, then confirm your appointment.

If you need to modify or cancel your appointment, click the Manage Appointments tab and enter your confirmation number and email address or phone number.

Using a Self-Service Kiosk

  1. Go to a Post Office location with lobby self-service kiosks. Find USPS Locations
  2. At the self-service kiosk, touch the screen to begin, then select "Other Services," then "Passport Scheduler."
  3. Choose the passport service you need (including photo services), then enter the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
  4. Search for Post Office locations by ZIP Code™ or City/State and choose a location.
  5. Select an available appointment date and time, then agree to the Terms and Conditions.
  6. Enter your contact information and decide if you'd like to receive SMS text notifications.
  7. Review and confirm your information, then select “Schedule Appointment” to finalize.
  8. Take your printed receipt listing your confirmation number and appointment details.

Step 4: Pay Passport Acceptance & Processing Fees

First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra. Learn how to calculate fees and what you can use to pay for them.

Application Acceptance Fees – Postal Service

Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to "Postmaster," debit card, or credit card.

  • $35.00 - Post Office acceptance fee
  • $15.00 - Post Office photo fee (if needed)

Application Processing Fees – Department of State

State Department payment is sent with your application package. State Department fees are paid separately from USPS fees.

  • State Department Fees
    State Department passport fees vary. Calculate passport fees online.
  • State Department Payment Methods
    NOTE: You may not pay State Department fees with credit or debit cards. You may pay with:
    • Personal, certified, cashier's, or traveler's check, payable to "U.S. Department of State."
    • Money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." You can buy a money order at the Post Office with cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check. You cannot pay with a credit card.

Application Status Updates

Use the Online Passport Status System to check your application status if you applied by mail or in person. You may not be able to get a status update for 2 weeks after you apply or renew. During these weeks, your application and supporting documents are on their way to the Department of State. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page "U.S. Passports."

Renew a Passport

  • If you are a U.S. citizen eligible to renew your passport by mail or online, you must do so—you cannot renew in-person.
  • If you need expedited service for your renewal, you must renew by mail.
  • If you are not eligible to renew online, but you are still eligible to renew by mail, you must renew by mail.
  • If you are not eligible to renew by mail, you must apply in person as a first-time passport applicant.
  • Minors’ Passports: A minor’s passport cannot be “renewed.” Instead, each time a minor’s passport expires, you must submit a new, first-time passport application in person for them.
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Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail or Online

Reminder: If you are eligible to renew your passport by mail or online, you must do so. Also, for a minor’s passport, you need to submit a new, first-time passport application in person.

Renew by Mail

You must renew your adult passport by mail if you answer "Yes" to all of the following statements:

Your passport:

  • Is in your possession to submit with your application.
  • Is undamaged other than normal "wear and tear."
  • Was issued when you were age 16 or older.
  • Was issued within the last 15 years.
  • Was issued in your current name or you can document your name change. (Name changes are explained on Change a Passport.)

If your passport does not meet all these requirements, do not mail your renewal application. You must prepare the same application package as a first-time passport applicant.

If you are eligible to renew your passport by mail, please complete Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 (see completion instructions on the form), and mail your completed renewal application directly to the State Department for processing.

To verify if your passport is eligible for renewal by mail, please visit State Department Renew by Mail

Renew Online

Eligible U.S. citizens who don't need expedited service can renew their passports online if they meet all the requirements:

  • The passport you are renewing is (or was) valid for 10 years. It must be expiring within 1 year or have expired less than 5 years ago. Check your passport's date of issue and expiration.
  • You are age 25 or older.
  • You are not changing your personal information such as your name or sex.
  • You are not traveling for at least 6 weeks from the date you will submit your application. The State Department only offers routine service for online renewals.
  • You have a mailing address in a U.S. state or territory. You cannot renew online using an Army, Fleet, or Diplomatic Post Office address.
  • You have your passport with you, it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen.

If you are eligible, select Renew Online and follow the instructions to get started. (If you need expedited service, you must renew by mail.)

Important Note on Digital Passport Photos: Online Passport Renewals require a digital photo. USPS offers digital photo services at many locations. Our digital photos comply with all US Department of State regulations, saving time and reducing the possibility of your application being rejected.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

Apply early for renewals as many countries require that passports be valid for at least 6 months after you enter their country. Learn how to properly prepare your application package and include all the necessary documents so your passport is processed on time.

  1. Complete your Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 on the State Department website.
  2. Print and sign your DS-82 form.
  3. Have a passport photo taken. You can schedule a passport photo-only appointment at a Post Office™ location: You can get hard copy photos for Renew by Mail, or a digital photo for Renew Online.
  4. Calculate your passport renewal fees.
  5. Collect your most recent passport, completed and signed application, renewal fees, and name change documents, if needed.
  6. Choose your envelope.
  7. Address the envelope to the location for your state. See page 2 of your DS-82 form.

How to Renew a Passport - Details

Step 3: Submit Your Renewal Application

For Renew by Mail, Department of State recommends using a USPS delivery tracking service to mail your renewal application.

Choose one of the following services:

  • USPS Priority Mail® Service with Delivery Confirmation
  • USPS Priority Mail® Service with Signature Confirmation
  • USPS Priority Mail Express® Service (for 1-3 day delivery request)

Compare Delivery Tracking Services

For Renew Online, follow the State Department's instructions.

Step 4: Follow Your Application Progress

If you use a USPS delivery tracking service, go to USPS Tracking® to see when your package is delivered.

  • With a USPS tracking service, you can see when your application arrived using the tracking number on your receipt.
  • Use the Online Passport Status System to check your application status. You may not be able to get a status update for 2 weeks after you apply or renew. During these weeks, your application and supporting documents are on their way to the Department of State. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page "U.S. Passports."

USPS Tracking Status

U.S. Passport Application Status

Expedited Passport Service

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Get a New Passport Faster in Emergencies & Special Cases

If you need your passport faster for emergency travel or another special case, you can send your passport application via Priority Mail Express® service and pay the State Department fee for faster delivery.

Life-or-Death Emergency

If you need to travel within 72 hours (3 business days) for an immediate family member who is dead, dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury:

  • Visit the Life-or-Death Emergencies page on travel.state.gov to learn if you are eligible.
  • The State Department processes these requests by appointment only.
  • Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel.

Urgent Travel in Less than 10 Weeks

If you are traveling in less than 10 weeks, you must call the State Department Passport Agency to schedule an appointment:

  • You can call 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY) to schedule an appointment.
  • Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel, and you must provide proof of travel.

Note: An extremely limited number of appointments are available for customers who are traveling internationally in the next 72 hours (3 business days), and other restrictions apply.

Get My Passport Fast

Renew Your Passport Fast

If you pay an additional $60 for expedited service and mail it with Priority Mail Express, you can get your renewed passport within 10 weeks. (Expedited renewals are not available online: You must Renew by Mail.)

  • Check your eligibility under Renew Your Passport by Mail, Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail.
  • Prepare your application as listed under Renew a Passport by Mail, Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package.
  • Add these special fees, both payable to the U.S. Department of State, to your regular processing fees.
    • $60.00—Expedited application processing at the State Department
    • $22.05—1- to 3- day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department
    • Clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.
  • Ship your application to the State Department by Priority Mail Express. Cost varies by location.

Get My Passport Fast

Passports for Minors Under 16

Passport applications for children under 16 have special requirements.

  • Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of a child's passport. The best way to give consent is for both parents/guardians to go with the child when applying.
  • Children need evidence of citizenship.
  • Parents/guardians need proof of parental relationship.
  • NOTE: Children's passports are only valid for 5 years. They are not "renewable": When a child's passport expires, you must apply for a new passport for them. When making a passport appointment for a child, please choose "New Passport Only" or "New Passport with Photo Services."

Apply for a Minor's Passport

Passport Photo Services

Many USPS Post Offices that handle new passport applications also provide photo services for an additional fee (for hard copy photos and/or digital photos).

You can schedule Passport Photo appointments as part of your new passport appointment, or you can schedule an appointment for photos only (including digital photos for online renewals):

  • Hard Copy Passport Photos (printed on photo paper) can be used for your new passport application, Renew by Mail, or anything else that requires passport-style photos.
  • Digital Passport Photos follow all State Department guidelines and can be used when you Renew Online.

Schedule an Appointment for Photo Services

State Department Travel Resources

U.S. State Department Website

Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you should report it immediately to the U.S. Department of State.

Report Your Lost/Stolen Passport

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