Do you qualify?
- International travel within 14 calendar days, or a foreign visa needed within 28 days.
- Proof of travel: flight receipt or itinerary; for road or sea trips to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean, a hotel reservation, cruise or bus tickets, or international car insurance.
- Traveling later than that? Use a local office and pay $60 for expedited service (2–3 weeks, mailing not included). See expedited passports.
How to book
- Not applied yet: use the State Department's online passport appointment system from the official appointment page.
- Already applied, or a life-or-death emergency: call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793), Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Eastern Time).
- Bring the printed confirmation, proof of travel, your completed form, documents with photocopies, a photo and a card to pay.
Appointments are free. Websites that charge to "book" an agency appointment are not the State Department.
Other agencies
The State Department runs agencies and centers in other states as well; the full list is on its appointment page. For routine applications start with passport offices by city, the first passport guide or processing times.
Questions
How many passport agencies are in California?
3: Los Angeles Passport Agency, San Diego Passport Agency, San Francisco Passport Agency.
What counts as urgent travel?
International travel within 14 calendar days, or a foreign visa needed within 28 calendar days. You must show proof, such as a flight itinerary.
What is a life-or-death emergency appointment?
If an immediate family member outside the U.S. has died, is dying or in hospice care, or has a life-threatening illness or injury, and you must travel within 14 days, you may qualify for an emergency appointment. Call 1-877-487-2778.
Is there a fee to book?
No. Appointments are free. The State Department warns that anyone charging to schedule is committing fraud.
Sources: U.S. Department of State, Get My Passport Fast and each agency's official page, checked November 6, 2026.