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Office of Global Engagement

Passport Services

US passport laying on top of a world map that has pins it in indicating that the person has traveled there.

Passport Services is currently closed. We hope to reopen for appointments in summer 2022.


To make an appointment at another passport acceptance facility, please click here.


How Can I Get My Passport Fast?

  • Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 18-week timeframe includes the time required for processing plus mailing time both ways: i.e. the time your *application* spends in the mail on the way to the Department of State, and the time your *passport* spends in the mail on the way to you.
  • Expedited service (for an additional $60) can take up to 10 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 10-week timeframe includes time required for processing plus mailing time both ways: i.e. the time your *application* spends in the mail on the way to the Department of State, and the time your *passport* spends in the mail on the way to you.

    To speed up the mailing time, we strongly recommend you: 
  • Add an extra $17.56 for the Department of State to return your passport to you by 1-2 Business Day Express Mail after processing
    (This amount should be included in your check/money order to the US Department of State)
  • Remember, the “processing time” begins the day they *receive* your application, not the day you submit it. We send our application to them by USPS Priority Mail.

What If I Need My Passport Faster?

  • No need to call around looking for better turnaround times – all local passport offices across the country, including every single office in North Carolina, offer the EXACT SAME processing times, including for Expedited processing. 
  • The only faster option offered by the Department of State is to get an appointment to go in person to a regional Passport Agency. Agencies are able to print passports on-site so that you can get your passport immediately. The closest agencies to us are in Washington, DC or Atlanta. It is very difficult to get one of these appointments.
  • To try to get an appointment at an Agency, including for life or death emergencies, please see the Department of State’s official webpage: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html
  • (Please note: There are many misleading websites out there claiming to offer “expedited” services. We do not recommend any other websites or services other than the official Department of State website travel.state.gov.)

What If I Am Just “Renewing” My Passport?