About the Passport Office

Department of State

• The passport office is a part of the United States Department of State. Its sole purpose is to produce documents for American citizens for international travel.
  
  

Passport Agency Locations

• The U.S. Passport Office operates 18 regional passport agency locations in major cities around the country. These are full-service offices for all passport needs.
  
  

Passport Acceptance Facilities

• The U.S. Passport Office authorizes thousands of government offices as passport acceptance facilities. These include post offices, city halls and libraries. Passport applications can be dropped off at these acceptance facilities just like at passport agency offices.
  
  

In Person or Mail

• You must appear in person to get a new passport, replace a passport or if you are 16 or younger. Adults can renew undamaged passports through the mail.
  
  

Processing Time

• The normal processing time for a U.S. passport is one month. It can be as long as two months during peak times like just before the summer travel season.