Mar 1, 2022, 6:35 am
Last edit by: CKDGM
Passport Agency Appointments (same day expedited service)
Appointments for same-day expedited service often go quickly. It is best that you schedule your appointment with the passport agency exactly 14 days before your trip. You will want to call the passport number before the center opens at 8am EST as they will have just opened up one day (14 days out) of appointments at all agencies. Appointment times start at 8am. It is important that you have enough buffer in your travel schedule. For example, if you make an appointment for a new passport at 11am and your time of travel is at 2pm, there will not be enough time for you to get your passport. If you book the 8am slot you may have to wait until the end of the business day to get your new passport or it may only be a few hours.
You will want to have your date of travel, time of travel, your flight itinerary number, name of destination, full name of applicant, and applicant's birth city, and the zip code of where you live (to help them find the closest available center with open slots). Use the following steps to increase your chances of success to booking an appointment as they can go very quickly:
Credit: chgoeditor
Known office locator numbers (not complete)
Note: The office code (first two digits of your application locator number returned by Passport Status) is the office reviewing your documents and approving your application. It isn't necessarily the address you mailed the forms to (always Irving or Philadelphia for renewals) nor the facility where the book is physically printed and mailed (often Tucson or Hot Springs).
10: Boston
11: NYC
12: Honolulu
14: Stamford, CT
15: Portsmouth, NH
17: Aurora, CO
18: Chicago
19: Washington, DC
20-29: Portsmouth, NH
34-39: Charleston
40-42: New Orleans, LA
45: Portsmouth, NH
50: Los Angeles, CA
51: Miami
53: Seattle
54: Minneapolis
55: Dallas
56: Detroit
57: San Francisco
58: Philadelphia, PA
61-64: Tucson
65: Hot Springs, AR
67: San Juan, PR
68: Portsmouth, NH
69: Portsmouth, NH
71: US embassies/consulates abroad (possibly Portsmouth, NH)
74: Atlanta
75: St Albans, VT
76: San Diego, CA
77: Buffalo, NY
78: El Paso, TX
79: Houston, TX
80: Special Issuance Agency ("Issues diplomatic, official, service, and no-fee regular passports, and facilitates visa processing for those traveling on behalf of the U.S. government.")
95: Online
A list of agencies and their locator numbers is listed on this page under the heading, "List of passport agencies and centers with locator numbers."
H/T Nayef, txviking, and various individual posts both here and on Reddit. If you have a locator not in the above list, check the return address agency name or postmark/ZIP on your returned citizenship docs, or passport card if you applied for one, which may be the processing office, although the address itself is likely to be a PO Box in Sterling, VA in all cases (which appears to be a lockbox location that processes mail for all locations). The passport books are printed in fewer locations, often Hot Springs and Tucson, and may not correspond to the agency where the processing steps occurred. If it doesnt match the list above, please add or correct.
Appointments for same-day expedited service often go quickly. It is best that you schedule your appointment with the passport agency exactly 14 days before your trip. You will want to call the passport number before the center opens at 8am EST as they will have just opened up one day (14 days out) of appointments at all agencies. Appointment times start at 8am. It is important that you have enough buffer in your travel schedule. For example, if you make an appointment for a new passport at 11am and your time of travel is at 2pm, there will not be enough time for you to get your passport. If you book the 8am slot you may have to wait until the end of the business day to get your new passport or it may only be a few hours.
You will want to have your date of travel, time of travel, your flight itinerary number, name of destination, full name of applicant, and applicant's birth city, and the zip code of where you live (to help them find the closest available center with open slots). Use the following steps to increase your chances of success to booking an appointment as they can go very quickly:
- 14 days before your trip, you need to schedule an appointment with the passport agency.
- At 7:55 am call the passport number 877-487-2778 (This have to be exactly 14 days before your plane ticket or less. If less, it will get harder to find an appointment)
- Click 1 (For English)
- Click 2 (New Passport)
- Continue to Click 7 to repeat, and keep doing this while watching your watch or using Time.gov to get the exact time down to the second.
- When your it hits exactly 8:00 am Click 2 (for traveling within 14 days option)
- There will be a delay of 3-4 second and you will wait for the next available agent. If you are very lucky, you will be put straight through to an agent. You may be waiting few minutes or maybe as long as 15-20 minutes.
- If you did not click 1 exactly at 8 am, you may have to wait for more than an hour and half
Credit: chgoeditor
Known office locator numbers (not complete)
Note: The office code (first two digits of your application locator number returned by Passport Status) is the office reviewing your documents and approving your application. It isn't necessarily the address you mailed the forms to (always Irving or Philadelphia for renewals) nor the facility where the book is physically printed and mailed (often Tucson or Hot Springs).
10: Boston
11: NYC
12: Honolulu
14: Stamford, CT
15: Portsmouth, NH
17: Aurora, CO
18: Chicago
19: Washington, DC
20-29: Portsmouth, NH
34-39: Charleston
40-42: New Orleans, LA
45: Portsmouth, NH
50: Los Angeles, CA
51: Miami
53: Seattle
54: Minneapolis
55: Dallas
56: Detroit
57: San Francisco
58: Philadelphia, PA
61-64: Tucson
65: Hot Springs, AR
67: San Juan, PR
68: Portsmouth, NH
69: Portsmouth, NH
71: US embassies/consulates abroad (possibly Portsmouth, NH)
74: Atlanta
75: St Albans, VT
76: San Diego, CA
77: Buffalo, NY
78: El Paso, TX
79: Houston, TX
80: Special Issuance Agency ("Issues diplomatic, official, service, and no-fee regular passports, and facilitates visa processing for those traveling on behalf of the U.S. government.")
95: Online
A list of agencies and their locator numbers is listed on this page under the heading, "List of passport agencies and centers with locator numbers."
H/T Nayef, txviking, and various individual posts both here and on Reddit. If you have a locator not in the above list, check the return address agency name or postmark/ZIP on your returned citizenship docs, or passport card if you applied for one, which may be the processing office, although the address itself is likely to be a PO Box in Sterling, VA in all cases (which appears to be a lockbox location that processes mail for all locations). The passport books are printed in fewer locations, often Hot Springs and Tucson, and may not correspond to the agency where the processing steps occurred. If it doesnt match the list above, please add or correct.
Current US passport wait? (Merged Threads)
Apr 23, 2022 | 6:44 pm
#1937
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you.
You requested routine service when you applied. Routine service can take 8-11 weeks. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply at a local acceptance facility. You should receive your passport book on or around 04/30/2022.
CODE is 79
You requested routine service when you applied. Routine service can take 8-11 weeks. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply at a local acceptance facility. You should receive your passport book on or around 04/30/2022.
CODE is 79
Apr 23, 2022 | 6:45 pm
#1938
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
Passport renewal (child) update
As of 4/23---this is now the update listed: The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you.
You requested routine service when you applied. Routine service can take 8-11 weeks. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply at a local acceptance facility. You should receive your passport book on or around 04/30/2022.
I'll update again when I have more info. This site has helped me so much over the years so I like to pay it forward and update it too
Apr 24, 2022 | 10:51 am
#1939
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 6
Is it good to contact the congressman?
So, it seems noone has any experience with the New Orleans Passport facility. I contacted the congressman to accelerate the process, but it seems that the New Orleans wants money to expedite the process. If we can get the passport within 5-6 weeks, it is fine, but I am trying to understand how long it takes for this passport facility to process regular processes. Do you guys think it is a good idea to contact congressman? I am starting to become paranoid; the New Orleans will stop the process until they get the money to expedite it? Jesus Christus!
Cheers,
I
Cheers,
I
Apr 24, 2022 | 12:27 pm
#1940
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,374
Adult application, prior passport was lost but had also since expired (so it was slightly unclear to us whether a DS-64 was strictly necessary, as it was no longer valid either way). Expedite and 1-2 day shipping fees included.
- 3/14: DS-11 submitted at acceptance facility (local county courthouse)
- Pre-filled using the online filler. Because the previous passport wasn't available for submission, it automatically filed the DS-64 online form as part of the process. FWIW, didn't ever receive an email confirming the DS-64 processing, though the system said to expect one.
- 3/21 around 11pm ET: In Progress. Locator 62 (appears to be Tucson, based on later original document returned from Western Passport Center)
- Subscribed for updates. The email address given on the DS-11 was pre-filled, so it was apparently scanned in from the form, but we never received any emails at any stage.
- 3/22 check cleared (via ARC/direct debit conversion without an image)
- 3/29 around 9pm ET: Approved
- 3/30 morning (7am ET): Shipped (with USPS Express Mail tracking number)
- 3/30 11am AZ time: Accepted at Tucson AZ USPS origin facility
- 3/31 4:45pm: Delivered (next gen) to destination PO box in Atlanta
- 4/16: Birth certificate returned by regular mail (envelope from Western Passport Center, PO Box in Sterling VA)
- At some point a day or two after shipping (maybe 3/31), the State status oddly went back to Approved from Shipped and no longer showed the tracking number. That's still what it shows to this day. If you don't have Informed Delivery to hang onto the tracking number for you, you might want to start checking for the tracking number frequently in the 24 hours after Approved, just in case.
- On 3/29 we did reach out to our senator for assistance expediting, but given they acknowledged the request on 3/30, I suspect this didn't influence the timeline and locator 62 is turning around expedited applications for everyone in about a week.
- In the response the congressional office shared with us on on 3/31, in addition to providing the tracking info, the Atlanta agency noted there were no congressional appointments available on 4/1. This tells us that there is some special pool of appointments for congressional requests, but based on this data point I would suggest not relying on it at the last minute.
- We had been fortunate to get an agency appointment by calling in exactly 13 days ahead and then canceled it upon receipt of the passport. It seems that a good approach if traveling in 3-4 weeks is to hedge your bets by submitting an expedited application ASAP, calling in for an appointment 2 weeks out, and then canceling the appointment for someone else to use (which is very easy to do by email) if you receive the expedited mailed passport in time, which based on data points here, seems not uncommon even well short of the official 5-7 week time frame.
Last edited by 21A; Apr 25, 2022 at 7:09 pm
Apr 24, 2022 | 12:35 pm
#1941
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,374
Also it seems that some congressional offices will only reach out on your behalf if your travel is within a certain time frame (say, a week or two), and in some cases will ask for proof of travel.You could probably have the best of both worlds by waiting until a week or two before your trip and contacting your congressperson again; more likely than not it will be done in the regular timeline by then, but if not, you could pay to expedite at that point and still get it in time.
Apr 25, 2022 | 12:00 pm
#1942
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
Routine service renewal for child:
Check cashed and processing as of 3/31
Locator code is 79
As of 4/23---this is now the update listed: The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you.
You requested routine service when you applied. Routine service can take 8-11 weeks. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply at a local acceptance facility. You should receive your passport book on or around 04/30/2022.
Passport (NEXT GEN) received 4/25 in mail.
Check cashed and processing as of 3/31
Locator code is 79
As of 4/23---this is now the update listed: The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you.
You requested routine service when you applied. Routine service can take 8-11 weeks. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply at a local acceptance facility. You should receive your passport book on or around 04/30/2022.
Passport (NEXT GEN) received 4/25 in mail.
Apr 25, 2022 | 3:33 pm
#1944
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 647
So, it seems noone has any experience with the New Orleans Passport facility. I contacted the congressman to accelerate the process, but it seems that the New Orleans wants money to expedite the process. If we can get the passport within 5-6 weeks, it is fine, but I am trying to understand how long it takes for this passport facility to process regular processes. Do you guys think it is a good idea to contact congressman? I am starting to become paranoid; the New Orleans will stop the process until they get the money to expedite it? Jesus Christus!
Cheers,
I
Cheers,
I
Apr 25, 2022 | 3:46 pm
#1945
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 6
I applied in-person at Florida State Clerks Office, Palm Beach Garden, which seems to have sent my documents to New Orleans Passport facility. From the online discussion, I see that they accept both same-day and mail applications. Mine ended up there, which I am not sure if it is good or bad. Just wonder if anyone had any experience to share.
Cheers,
I
Cheers,
I
Apr 25, 2022 | 6:55 pm
#1946
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: NEXUS
Posts: 54
I applied in-person at Florida State Clerks Office, Palm Beach Garden, which seems to have sent my documents to New Orleans Passport facility. From the online discussion, I see that they accept both same-day and mail applications. Mine ended up there, which I am not sure if it is good or bad. Just wonder if anyone had any experience to share.
Cheers,
I
Cheers,
I
Apr 27, 2022 | 11:21 am
#1947
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 6
Just an update on our passport applications (2 adults - new, 1 toddler - renewal, regular processing):
3/23 - Applied from field office (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
4/4 - In Process (locator 42 = New Orleans, LA)
4/5 - Checks cleared
4/26 - Approved and Shipped
4/29 - Expected Delivery
According to the USPS tracker, it is shipped from LA. Will update after receiving the documents. I will also let you know how long it took to get the original documents.
Cheers,
I
3/23 - Applied from field office (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
4/4 - In Process (locator 42 = New Orleans, LA)
4/5 - Checks cleared
4/26 - Approved and Shipped
4/29 - Expected Delivery
According to the USPS tracker, it is shipped from LA. Will update after receiving the documents. I will also let you know how long it took to get the original documents.
Cheers,
I
Apr 28, 2022 | 6:47 pm
#1948
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 206
Passport (Large Book) and Passport Card RENEWAL using DS-82 Form Filler
Expedite AND 2 Day Delivery
4/15 (Fri) Dropped off at USPS in Santa Clara, CA using Priority Mail Express
4/17 (Sun) USPS tracking showed received in PA
4/19 (Tue) Online Status shows "In Process" and $238.32 personal check cashed, Locator: 42 New Orleans, LA
4/22 (Fri) Calls to make appointment at San Francisco Passport Agency scheduled for 5/4, travel date is 5/5, was informed urgent request sent to Locator 42
4/27 (Wed) Online Status shows "Shipped" for Passport and Passport Card, USPS tracking shows originating from New Orleans, LA
4/28 (Thu) Next Generation Passport RECEIVED! Along with my old Passport punctured with 2 holes and old Passport Card corner cut
5/02 (Mon) Passport Card RECEIVED via USPS First Class mail
Total: 13 days for Passport Book
Expedite AND 2 Day Delivery
4/15 (Fri) Dropped off at USPS in Santa Clara, CA using Priority Mail Express
4/17 (Sun) USPS tracking showed received in PA
4/19 (Tue) Online Status shows "In Process" and $238.32 personal check cashed, Locator: 42 New Orleans, LA
4/22 (Fri) Calls to make appointment at San Francisco Passport Agency scheduled for 5/4, travel date is 5/5, was informed urgent request sent to Locator 42
4/27 (Wed) Online Status shows "Shipped" for Passport and Passport Card, USPS tracking shows originating from New Orleans, LA
4/28 (Thu) Next Generation Passport RECEIVED! Along with my old Passport punctured with 2 holes and old Passport Card corner cut
5/02 (Mon) Passport Card RECEIVED via USPS First Class mail
Total: 13 days for Passport Book
Last edited by cce5858; May 5, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Apr 29, 2022 | 8:43 am
#1949
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 6
Here is an update (2 new, 1 renewal passports, regular process):
3/23 - Applied from field office (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
4/4 - In Process (locator 42 = New Orleans, LA)
4/5 - Checks cleared
4/26 - Approved and Shipped
4/28 - Delivered
New passports are shipped from LA, which included our original documents, too. All the passports are NextGen. The old passport was punctured but the passport card did not get cut. We are not going to use it, but it is strange that they did not cut the card. Also, I contacted the congressman 10 days ago, but I am not sure if it affected any process. I did not pay for the expedite process. Good luck to you those who are waiting for their passports. It is a stressful process; at the end it took 5 weeks, which I think should be much faster.
Cheers,
I
3/23 - Applied from field office (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
4/4 - In Process (locator 42 = New Orleans, LA)
4/5 - Checks cleared
4/26 - Approved and Shipped
4/28 - Delivered
New passports are shipped from LA, which included our original documents, too. All the passports are NextGen. The old passport was punctured but the passport card did not get cut. We are not going to use it, but it is strange that they did not cut the card. Also, I contacted the congressman 10 days ago, but I am not sure if it affected any process. I did not pay for the expedite process. Good luck to you those who are waiting for their passports. It is a stressful process; at the end it took 5 weeks, which I think should be much faster.
Cheers,
I
Apr 29, 2022 | 9:47 pm
#1950
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: NEXUS
Posts: 54
Here is an update (2 new, 1 renewal passports, regular process):
3/23 - Applied from field office (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
4/4 - In Process (locator 42 = New Orleans, LA)
4/5 - Checks cleared
4/26 - Approved and Shipped
4/28 - Delivered
New passports are shipped from LA, which included our original documents, too. All the passports are NextGen. The old passport was punctured but the passport card did not get cut. We are not going to use it, but it is strange that they did not cut the card. Also, I contacted the congressman 10 days ago, but I am not sure if it affected any process. I did not pay for the expedite process. Good luck to you those who are waiting for their passports. It is a stressful process; at the end it took 5 weeks, which I think should be much faster.
Cheers,
I
3/23 - Applied from field office (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
4/4 - In Process (locator 42 = New Orleans, LA)
4/5 - Checks cleared
4/26 - Approved and Shipped
4/28 - Delivered
New passports are shipped from LA, which included our original documents, too. All the passports are NextGen. The old passport was punctured but the passport card did not get cut. We are not going to use it, but it is strange that they did not cut the card. Also, I contacted the congressman 10 days ago, but I am not sure if it affected any process. I did not pay for the expedite process. Good luck to you those who are waiting for their passports. It is a stressful process; at the end it took 5 weeks, which I think should be much faster.
Cheers,
I
One thing I'll say based on past renewals is that the travel date on an application form definitely does influence how quickly the passport gets processed. Applications with earlier travel (or visa application deadline) dates are prioritized over those with later ones. That said, a word to the wise: don't put false information on an application! In addition to the legal penalties, why say you need a passport sooner than you do?