Emergency Passport
Agency Location and Hours
The Western Passport Center in Tucson is Arizona's federal office for emergency and expedited passport issuance. It is located at 7373 E Rosewood St, Tucson, AZ 85710 — on Tucson's east side, off the Speedway Blvd corridor. There is one critical difference from most other passport agencies nationwide: the Western Passport Center opens at 8:30 AM (not 8:00 AM), and closes at 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
The 30-minute later opening is a common source of confusion — travelers accustomed to the standard 8:00 AM agency hours sometimes arrive too early. The good news is that the building is not in a congested downtown core, so parking and access are generally easier than coastal agencies. Plan accordingly and arrive at 8:30 AM, not earlier.
Who Qualifies
The Western Passport Center follows the same national eligibility criteria:
- Departing internationally within 14 calendar days — confirmed flight or travel itinerary showing your name and departure date required.
- Needing a foreign visa within 28 days — bring consulate or embassy documentation showing the visa appointment date.
Arizona's proximity to the Mexican border is relevant: while a passport card is sufficient for land crossings into Mexico, air travel to Mexico or anywhere else internationally requires a passport book. The Western Passport Center handles both. Emergency humanitarian cases are considered on an individual basis — explain your situation when you call NPIC.
Booking Your Appointment
No walk-ins are accepted. Book through the National Passport Information Center:
- Phone: 1-877-487-2778 (Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–10:00 PM ET; Sat 10:00 AM–3:00 PM ET)
- Online: travel.state.gov — phone preferred for departures within 72 hours
Arizona is in Mountain Standard Time (no daylight saving time). NPIC opens at 8:00 AM ET — that is 5:00 AM MST year-round. Arizona travelers who call at 5:00 AM MST reach NPIC as lines open, giving early access to new appointment slots before higher-population East and West Coast callers fill them. If the Western Passport Center has no slots, ask NPIC to check the Los Angeles agency as an alternative.
Required Documents
Bring originals of all documents — the agency makes copies on-site. For first-time applicants:
- Completed DS-11 form — do not sign until the agent instructs you; signing beforehand invalidates the form
- Proof of U.S. citizenship — certified birth certificate with raised seal, previous U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate
- Government-issued photo ID — Arizona driver's license, state ID, or military ID (valid or expired within 5 years)
- Photocopy of both sides of your ID
- One 2×2-inch passport photo — white or off-white background, taken within the past 6 months, no glasses
- Proof of urgent travel — itinerary showing your name and international departure within 14 days
- Payment — see fees below
For renewals, use DS-82 and bring your most recent passport (issued after age 16, within past 15 years, undamaged). No birth certificate required for renewals.
Passport Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Passport book (adult) | $130 |
| Execution fee (first-time applicants only) | $35 |
| Expedite fee | $60 |
| 1-2 day return shipping | $19.53 |
| Passport card (add-on, for land/sea border crossings) | $30 new / $30 renewal |
Government fees (book + execution + expedite) paid by check or money order to "U.S. Department of State." Return shipping is a separate credit or debit card payment. Cash is not accepted for government fees.
Getting to the Western Passport Center
The Western Passport Center is on Tucson's east side — unlike most passport agencies, it is not in a traditional downtown core, so driving is the most practical option for most visitors:
- Driving from central Tucson: Head east on Speedway Blvd to Wilmot Rd, then south to Rosewood St. The facility is easy to spot. On-site or nearby parking is generally available and free or low-cost — a significant advantage over downtown agencies in other cities.
- Driving from Phoenix: I-10 east to Tucson, then take the Speedway Blvd exit east. The drive is approximately 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic. Phoenix residents may find it faster to use the Western Passport Center than to find a slot at a closer agency.
- Sun Tran Bus: Routes serve the Speedway corridor. Check Sun Tran's trip planner for current stops near Rosewood St if you prefer not to drive.
Tucson's heat is a real consideration — if your appointment falls between May and September, park close and bring water. The building is air-conditioned, but the walk from your car in summer desert heat can be intense. Allow 45–90 minutes inside for the appointment and wait time.
No Appointment Available?
If the Western Passport Center has no slots before your departure:
- Ask NPIC to check Los Angeles — The LA Passport Agency at 11000 Wilshire Blvd frequently has slots and is reachable by flight from Tucson International (TUS) in under two hours.
- Expedited mail service — For departures 3+ weeks out, USPS Priority Mail Express plus the $60 expedite fee. Check current processing times at travel.state.gov before committing.
- Licensed courier service — A registered passport expediting company can hand-carry your application to whichever agency has the earliest opening. Budget $150–$300 above government fees. Verify registration before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does the Western Passport Center open at 8:30 AM instead of 8:00 AM?
- The Western Passport Center operates on a slightly different schedule from most agencies. The 8:30 AM opening is the correct current time — confirm via travel.state.gov or NPIC before your visit, as hours can change.
- I just need to cross into Mexico by car — do I need the full passport book?
- No. A passport card ($30) is valid for land and sea entries into Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. If you only need land-border access, the card is cheaper and faster. However, if there's any chance you'll need to fly internationally, get the book.
- Can New Mexico residents use the Tucson facility?
- Yes — there are no residency restrictions. Tucson is often the most convenient option for New Mexico residents, particularly those in Albuquerque (a 5-hour drive) or Las Cruces (90 minutes).
- Does Arizona observe daylight saving time?
- No — most of Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time year-round. This means NPIC (Eastern Time) opens at 5:00 AM MST in summer and 6:00 AM MST in winter. Plan your call time accordingly.
- Can I get a passport photo taken near the facility?
- There is no on-site photo service at the Western Passport Center. Walgreens and CVS locations on Speedway Blvd offer passport photos. Get your photo taken before arriving at the facility.