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)
Dec 7, 2020 | 5:20 pm
#812
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,364
for those of you with appointments at a passport agency: made an appointment last week for a lucky slot in San Diego for travel this Thursday. After a bunch of questioning and drilling as to why im traveling and where im going they accepted my application and sent it next day delivery (coming tmw) via UPS . i was told that they would not let me pick up unless flight was same day travel.
Dec 10, 2020 | 11:18 am
#813
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: None
Posts: 1
Lost my passport and have upcoming travel on 1/15/2021. I submitted the Lost Passport form and sent in my application with expedited service through a USPS office for a new one on 11/30. It's been 10 days and the application still hasn't been received by the State – status comes up as "Not Found" still. Is this something worth checking up on? Looking through this forum, seems like most people get the In Processing notification within a couple days...My payment also hasn't been cashed, which leads me to suspect that something might have went wrong in-transit.
Last edited by monkeybrain; Dec 10, 2020 at 7:13 pm
Dec 12, 2020 | 5:09 am
#814
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 479
My renewal application was received on 9/30 and all along the online tracker has reflected that. Now today I received an email update that doesnt say anything about approval, but just communicated the same status that has been shown on the website since 9/30 (below). Any ideas?
Based on posts here, I would have expected the update I just received to have been the approval. Check was cashed in early Oct shortly after receipt. The U.S. Department of State has received your application for your passport book on 09/30/2020. We're now reviewing your application and supporting documents.
You requested routine service when you applied, which we are currently processing in 10-12 weeks.
Based on posts here, I would have expected the update I just received to have been the approval. Check was cashed in early Oct shortly after receipt. The U.S. Department of State has received your application for your passport book on 09/30/2020. We're now reviewing your application and supporting documents.
You requested routine service when you applied, which we are currently processing in 10-12 weeks.
Dec 12, 2020 | 4:13 pm
#815
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1P
Posts: 35
My renewal application was received on 9/30 and all along the online tracker has reflected that. Now today I received an email update that doesnt say anything about approval, but just communicated the same status that has been shown on the website since 9/30 (below). Any ideas?
Based on posts here, I would have expected the update I just received to have been the approval. Check was cashed in early Oct shortly after receipt. The U.S. Department of State has received your application for your passport book on 09/30/2020. We're now reviewing your application and supporting documents.
You requested routine service when you applied, which we are currently processing in 10-12 weeks.
Based on posts here, I would have expected the update I just received to have been the approval. Check was cashed in early Oct shortly after receipt. The U.S. Department of State has received your application for your passport book on 09/30/2020. We're now reviewing your application and supporting documents.
You requested routine service when you applied, which we are currently processing in 10-12 weeks.
Dec 13, 2020 | 12:30 am
#816
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Austin TX
Programs: Mr Swise: AAdvantage LifetimePlt/3MM, HH Dmnd, SPG Plt
Posts: 1,451
I'm trying to make an appointment at an agency for a "non-life or death emergency." My family of 4 needs to travel, but our passports are all expired. I am finding it very difficult to find an appointment slot. I am looking at Houston, Dallas, and Arkansas. I'm about to start looking at New Orleans, too. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for snagging an appointment, besides just hammering day-by-day through the appointment booking page in hopes that something opens up? Anyone know what time they add new appointments for the next day? I've tried to find this info online without much luck. I'm going to call each agency on Monday, as well.
Not being able to get a clear idea of when we can schedule the appointment is really impeding setting our timeline, from obtaining a visa to booking flights, setting up quarantine provisions, etc. We really want to get this step done, so that we can firm up our plans. Protips appreciated!
ps- I am getting really good at identifying stoplights, crosswalks, bicycles, and palm trees in the appointment form's captcha! 🥴 lol!
Not being able to get a clear idea of when we can schedule the appointment is really impeding setting our timeline, from obtaining a visa to booking flights, setting up quarantine provisions, etc. We really want to get this step done, so that we can firm up our plans. Protips appreciated!
ps- I am getting really good at identifying stoplights, crosswalks, bicycles, and palm trees in the appointment form's captcha! 🥴 lol!
Dec 13, 2020 | 1:53 am
#817
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CVG
Programs: Hyatt Giraffe
Posts: 1,686
Sent in my passport at the very end of September. Took till about 10/7 to show up on the locator website. This was when expediting was suspended. Somewhere during the wait, it was turned back on. Finally about 2.5 months later, my passport is shipped, expecting it sometime next week.
Dec 13, 2020 | 12:26 pm
#819
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 4,122
I am finding it very difficult to find an appointment slot. I am looking at Houston, Dallas, and Arkansas. I'm about to start looking at New Orleans, too. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for snagging an appointment, besides just hammering day-by-day through the appointment booking page in hopes that something opens up?
Dec 13, 2020 | 12:33 pm
#820
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 24,766
I'm trying to make an appointment at an agency for a "non-life or death emergency." My family of 4 needs to travel, but our passports are all expired. I am finding it very difficult to find an appointment slot. I am looking at Houston, Dallas, and Arkansas. I'm about to start looking at New Orleans, too. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for snagging an appointment, besides just hammering day-by-day through the appointment booking page in hopes that something opens up? Anyone know what time they add new appointments for the next day? I've tried to find this info online without much luck. I'm going to call each agency on Monday, as well.
Not being able to get a clear idea of when we can schedule the appointment is really impeding setting our timeline, from obtaining a visa to booking flights, setting up quarantine provisions, etc. We really want to get this step done, so that we can firm up our plans. Protips appreciated!
ps- I am getting really good at identifying stoplights, crosswalks, bicycles, and palm trees in the appointment form's captcha! 🥴 lol!
Not being able to get a clear idea of when we can schedule the appointment is really impeding setting our timeline, from obtaining a visa to booking flights, setting up quarantine provisions, etc. We really want to get this step done, so that we can firm up our plans. Protips appreciated!
ps- I am getting really good at identifying stoplights, crosswalks, bicycles, and palm trees in the appointment form's captcha! 🥴 lol!
To apply at a passport agency, you must follow all of these requirements:
- Make an appointment online or call us at 1-877-487-2778
- Be traveling internationally within 72 hours (3 business days)
- Be able to show printed proof of international travel (such as your flight itinerary, hotel reservation, cruise tickets, or international car insurance)
- Pay the $60 expedite fee in addition to the regular application fees.
- Note: you can schedule your appointment up to 2 weeks before your international travel but the date of your appointment must be within 3 business days of your international travel. If you need a foreign visa, the date of your appointment must be within 10 business days of your international travel.
Last edited by TWA884; Dec 13, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Dec 13, 2020 | 3:57 pm
#822
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1P
Posts: 35
Sent in my passport at the very end of September. Took till about 10/7 to show up on the locator website. This was when expediting was suspended. Somewhere during the wait, it was turned back on. Finally about 2.5 months later, my passport is shipped, expecting it sometime next week.
Dec 13, 2020 | 5:15 pm
#823
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CVG
Programs: Hyatt Giraffe
Posts: 1,686
So it seems you sent later than I, but will receive it earlier. As I posted prior, my status is still showing they have received my application on 9/23/2020, and it is "in process". I don't know if this may be region related. Mine is handled in Texas. Where did you send yours?
Dec 14, 2020 | 1:36 am
#824
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Austin TX
Programs: Mr Swise: AAdvantage LifetimePlt/3MM, HH Dmnd, SPG Plt
Posts: 1,451
It might be different now, but when I was helping a friend renew a few months ago, it seemed that people would cancel or change appointments on a regular basis, and appointments would pop up from time to time on days that had previously been fully booked. It seemed to help to keep checking the dates I wanted multiple times throughout the day, every day -- but not sure if this is still the case now.
Dec 14, 2020 | 3:04 am
#825
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
At least pre-online-booking, I would say try your luck with calling up at 3-7:45am EST to maximize the chance of finding slots open that didn't seem available 12-24 hours earlier. Speaking of wanting an appointment for the day of the call itself.