San Diego Passport Agency: How To Get Your Passport Fast

1. Meet U.S. Passport eligibility requirements

Eligibility requirements for DS-11 are straightforward when applying at the San Diego Passport Agency in San Diego, CA. One must meet at least one of the following conditions and apply in person:

Applicant is applying for their first U.S. passport;
Applicant is under the age of 16;
Applicant's previous U.S. passport was issued under the age of 16;
Applicant's previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago;
Applicant's previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged

If you're looking to travel within the next few weeks, be sure to submit your passport application correctly with GOV+ so you avoid delays.

2. Fill out your DS-11 application online

You will need a fair amount of information and documentation before applying for your passport. Any missing item will all but guarantee your DS-11 application will not be processed.

Be sure to bring the following:

Original proof of citizenship document. This can be an original and/or certified U.S. birth certificate OR an expired U.S. passport, OR an original naturalization certificate. If you’re unsure what “certified” means for a birth certificate, it’s reasonably straightforward - it’ll be issued by a local authority, have a raised seal, and have the signature of the local official responsible for issuing birth certificates
Acceptable photo ID. This is used as proof of identity; typically a driver’s license or some form of government-issued photo I.D.
Passport photo taken within the last 6 months. No filters, selfies, or glasses are allowed. Ensure the photo is taken against a plain white or off-white background and has the following dimensions: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm); Head must be between 1 -1 ⅜ inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head; undamaged and without any holes, creases, or otherwise obfuscating marks.
Passport fees. You will need to calculate them based on your situation and your needs.

3. Obtain a Passport photo

When applying for your passport on form DS-11 at the San Diego Passport Agency in San Diego, CA, you’ll need to make sure you provide a single passport photograph that matches requirements below. The Department of State specifies the following:

Submit a color photo, taken in last 6 months
Use a clear image of your face.
Do not use filters commonly used on social media
Have someone else take your photo. No selfies
Take off your eyeglasses for your photo
Use a plain white or off-white background

4. Submit Your Passport Application

Once you have completed a DS-11 and gathered your required documents you’ll need to make an appointment by phone and provide them to the San Diego Passport Agency.

This can be done in 2 forms:

In person at your local office
By mail

It will take up to 6 weeks to receive your passport by mail. Keep in mind that this time frame may vary depending on a number of factors.

Appointments at the San Diego Passport Agency

You can make two types of appointments:

Life-or-Death Emergency Service
Urgent Travel Service

You cannot walk-in and there is no fee to make an appointment. You cannot transfer your appointment to another customer.

You can only make an appointment by calling 1-877-487-2778. Se habla español. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services.

Hours of operation of San Diego Passport Agency

Monday - 8AM to 4PM
Tuesday - 8AM to 4PM
Wednesday - 8AM to 4PM
Thursday - 8AM to 4PM
Friday - 8AM to 4PM
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
Closed Federal Holidays

Related Services at the San Diego Passport Agency

Life-or-Death Emergencies

You may qualify for a life-or-death emergency appointment if you need to travel internationally in three (3) business days due to an immediate family member outside of the United States whom:

Has died.
Is dying.
Has a life-threatening illness or injury.

Urgent Travel Service

Currently, the travel.state.gov online booking system for Urgent Travel Service has been disabled to ensure our very limited appointments go to applicants who truly need them for urgent travel, such as a Life-or-Death Emergency.

Passport Photos

This passport office offers on-site passport photos. You must provide one photo with your passport application. Fees vary from office to office.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a U.S. passport card and what does it cost?

A U.S. passport card costs $30 for an adult and $15 for a child.

A U.S. passport card is an optional form of photo identification that fits inside a standard wallet. A passport card can be obtained alongside a passport book and is sufficient identification for domestic air flights, as well as land and sea travel within North America.

NOTE: A U.S. passport card cannot be used as identification for international air travel. For that, you must use a U.S. passport book.

What does it cost to apply for a U.S. passport?

A new or replacement adult passport is $165 with standard processing. Renewals or a second duplicate passport cost $130. Child (minor) passports cost $135.

How long does it take to get a U.S. passport?

Standard processing is 8 to 11 weeks from the moment the application is processed at your local office or passport agency.

How quickly can I get a passport?

The Department of State charges a flat $60 passport fee to speed up processing times. This “expedite fee” is paid in addition to any passport application fees.

If attempting to obtain a 72-hour turnaround on a passport, be prepared with the following:

Printed proof of upcoming travel within the next 72 hours, such as plane tickets or cruise reservations.
$60 expedite fee, in addition to all other passport application fees.

These in-person, last-minute appointments must take place within 72 hours of the travel date but are able to be reserved up to two weeks in advance.

When do passports need to be renewed?

For children under 16 years of age at the time of issuance, a passport is only valid for five years. For adults, both passport books and the newer passport cards need to be renewed every ten years. In either case, don’t wait until the last minute to renew. It’s best to apply for renewal early, considering both:

Processing time – Start approximately nine months before your passport expires.
Travel requirements – A destination country may require not just a current passport, but that your recent passport remains valid for up to six months after the planned travel to cover delays or changes.

In terms of planned usage, you’ll need to ensure your passport is renewed if you plan to:

Travel by air across borders
Take a cruise with international travel ports, even if you start and end in the United States
Take a domestic flight and need identification that meets Real ID Act standards

San Diego Passport Agency