All you need to know about getting an in-person passport

If you are late to the party on passport renewal like me or have a lost/slow application that requires you to make an in-person appointment, here’s what you need to know:

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1. In-person appointments will only be available to schedule 14 days prior to travel for non-urgent travel. If you call any sooner, they will tell you to call back. Appointments are not guaranteed and agents have no idea if you will leave the appointment with passport in hand as each office operates differently. The Chicago office will print passports and deliver them by the end of the day. 
    

2. Call 1-877-487-2778. to secure an appointment at a passport center. If you don't get an appointment date or location that works for you on the first attempt, take it but keep calling back to get a better one. 
   
   (Please note this is my personal experience at the Chicago office. Other locations may operate differently)

3. Show up early. Your appointment time is not a one on one appointment. It is a time slot shared with 149 other people. To avoid standing in long lines, you will want to show up as early as possible so that you can get through the lines and take a seat. If you show up at your appointment time, you may be standing for most of the day.
    

4. You’re going to be there all day. They will take your documents in the morning, process them and distribute passports late afternoon. You are free to leave and return. 
    

5. Have your email confirmation handy. You will need to show proof of appointment to get inside the building. I showed up 30 minutes early and found a line outside the door. A security guard will ask to see the email confirmation.
    

6. When you make the appointment, they will give you a 6 letter code and ask you to make a PIN. No one asked me for either of those but everyone asked me for the last 4 digits of my confirmation number - again, have that email handy and keep all confirmation numbers and PINs just in case.
    

7. Lines. Lines. And more Lines. Be prepared to stand in lines. You will wait in line to get into the building. You will wait in line for security checks. You will wait in line to verify documentation and pay. You will wait in line to drop off the application. You will wait in line to check your passport status.
    

8. ****MUST READ**** A lot of people were unable to provide documentation (birth certificates, etc.) because they had already mailed it in with passport applications. If you have already sent in your application, bring backup copies of everything you submitted. You will be asked to resubmit the documents.

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Passport renewal information

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When to call to make an appointment

 

1-877-487-2778.