US Postal Service Main Post Office Tallahassee

Contact Information

How Soon do you need your passport?

• Today
• Within 2 Weeks
• Within 3 Weeks
• After 4 weeks

Processing Times

The processing times below apply to all passport services.

Processing Times

Routine4-6 Weeks

Expedited2-3 Weeks

Expedited at Agency8 Business Days

Based on need, restrictions apply

Routine and Expedited processing times include mailing time.

Expedited at Agency processing time does not include mailing time.

First-Time Passports

Step 1: Start Early - Gather Documents

Apply for your passport several months before your trip. First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U.S. State Department website explains what you'll need to bring with you.

Application forms (unsigned)

Proof of identity document and a photocopy of the front and back

Proof of U.S. Citizenship document and a photocopy of the front and back

Passport fees

Apply for a Passport in Person

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need.

Complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport on the State Department website.

Print your completed application.

DO NOT SIGN YOUR APPLICATION. A Postal employee must witness your signature.

Have a passport photo taken.

NOTE: Many Post Offices with passport services can also take your photo. Call to confirm your Post Office takes photos.

Photocopy your proof of identity and U.S. Citizenship documents.

Calculate your fees.

Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees.

State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier's, traveler's check, or money order, payable to "U.S. Department of State."

Need a Passport in a Hurry?

Leaving Within 2-3 Weeks

To get a new passport application processed within 2-3 weeks, submit your application at a passport acceptance Post Office and pay for expedited processing and overnight delivery.

Prepare your application package as listed in Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package.

Add the expedited processing fee of $60, payable to the U.S. Department of State, to your other fees.

USPS mails your application package to the State Department for processing. You can purchase Priority Mail Express to expedite delivery. Cost varies by location.

Purchase overnight return delivery for $15.45, payable to the U.S. Department of State.

Leaving Within 2 Weeks or Less

NOTE: If you are traveling within 2 weeks or need a foreign visa within 30 days, you must apply at a Department of State passport agency. You can make an appointment online or call 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY).

Get a Passport in a Hurry

If you need your passport quickly, you can expedite your application. Please see our most up-to-date processing times. Expedited service is an additional $60.

Life or Death Emergencies

Call us to make an appointment for emergency passport service in case of a life or death emergency.

Life or death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family that require you to travel outside the United States within 72 hours (3 business days).

You must provide all the usual application documentation in addition to proof of the life or death emergency. Proof of an emergency includes a death certificate (translated), a statement from a mortuary, or a signed letter from a hospital or medical professional.

From the United States:

1-877-487-2778/ 1-888-874-7793 (TTY/TDD) Monday- Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, except Federal Holidays. Saturdays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Eastern Time.

202-647-4000 after business hours

From outside the United States:

Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Less than 2-3 weeksI'm traveling within 2 weeks or need a foreign visa within 4 weeksExpedited

Make an appointment at a passport agency or center

Less than 4-6 weeks(No reason needed)Expedited

Expedite at an acceptance facility or expedite a renewal by mail

More than 4-6 weeks(No reason needed)

RoutineApply at an acceptance facility or renew by mail

Expedite at a Passport Agency or Center

Make an appointment to apply at a passport agency or center using the Online Passport Appointment System. If you'd prefer, you may call our automated appointment system at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY),

Fill out your application and collect your documents, including proof of international travel. More more information, see How to Apply.

 Expedite at an Acceptance Facility

You must use Form DS-11 when applying at an acceptance facility. You cannot apply with Form DS-82 (Renew a Passport by Mail) at an acceptance facility.

Fill out your application and collect your documents. See How to Apply to find the right form for you. 

Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee. See Passport Fees for more information.

Find the acceptance facility nearest you to turn in your application and fees. Contact the facility before arriving to determine if an appointment is required.

For optional faster shipping of your application, see Overnight Delivery Service shipping below.

Expedite a Renewal by Mail

Form DS-82 must be mailed in. You cannot apply with Form DS-82 (Renew a Passport by Mail) at an acceptance facility. To find out if you are eligible to use Form DS-82, see Renew a Passport.

Fill out your application and collect your documents.

Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee. See Passport Fees for more information.

Clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope. 

For optional faster shipping of your application, see Overnight Delivery Service below.

Overnight Delivery Service (Optional)

You may choose to pay for overnight delivery service for your application.

This is an optional service and will not impact the time it takes us to process your application, only the time that your application and passport spends in the mail.

You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

Delivery to us: Purchase overnight delivery service at a post office or other passport acceptance facility for faster shipping of your application to us. The price for overnight delivery service varies depending on the area of the country.

Return to you: Include the $15.89 overnight delivery service fee with your passport fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for faster return shipping.