Emergency Passport
California is unique among U.S. states in having two federally designated emergency passport agencies. Southern California residents should use Los Angeles; Northern California residents should use San Francisco. Both offices are appointment-only, both require proof of imminent travel, and both operate under the same eligibility rules. Walk-ins are turned away at security regardless of how urgent your situation is.
Los Angeles Passport Agency
Address: 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (federal holidays excluded)
Phone: 1-877-487-2778 (National Passport Information Center)
The Los Angeles office is one of the busiest passport agencies in the country. It sits inside a major federal building in Westwood and handles enormous daily volume — especially before summer travel season (May–August) and winter holidays. If you have any flexibility on which California office to use, calling both lines simultaneously when you book may help you find an earlier slot.
Parking note: Paid parking is available near the Wilshire Blvd federal building but fills quickly on weekday mornings. Budget extra time and consider public transit if you're coming from central Los Angeles — the Big Blue Bus and several Metro lines stop nearby.
San Francisco Passport Agency
Address: 450 Golden Gate Ave, 3rd Floor, Suite 3-2501, San Francisco, CA 94102
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (federal holidays excluded)
Phone: 1-877-487-2778 (same National Passport Information Center line)
The San Francisco office is in the Phillip Burton Federal Building, a large federal complex in the Civic Center neighborhood. BART's Civic Center/UN Plaza station is directly nearby — public transit is strongly preferred over driving, as parking in that area is expensive and limited. The SF office has slightly later closing hours (4:00 p.m. vs 3:00 p.m.) than the LA location, which can matter if you have a late morning appointment.
Who Qualifies?
Both California passport agencies serve travelers who meet one of these conditions:
- International departure within 14 calendar days, OR
- Foreign visa appointment within 28 calendar days
You must present printed proof — a confirmed airline itinerary or cruise reservation showing your full name and departure date. Unbooked itineraries, pending tickets, and hotel-only reservations do not qualify. Life-or-death family emergencies may qualify for same-day processing — explain immediately when you call.
Booking Your Appointment
Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. Phone lines open at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (5:00 a.m. Pacific). California residents should call at exactly 5:00 a.m. PT — appointment slots release at line-open and go fast, particularly for LA. You can also book online at travel.state.gov; check both channels as online availability sometimes differs from phone.
When calling, specify which California office you prefer and have your travel date, destination country, and current passport status ready. If one office is fully booked, ask the agent to check the other California location.
What to Bring — Required Documents
- Completed application form: DS-11 (new passport or under-16 renewal); DS-82 (renewal if current passport is under 15 years old and issued at 16+); DS-5504 (name change or error correction)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: Original certified birth certificate, most recent U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization. Hospital birth records are not accepted.
- Government-issued photo ID: Valid driver's license, state ID, or military ID
- Photocopy of your ID: Front and back on one sheet
- One passport photo: 2"×2", white background, taken within 6 months. CVS, Walgreens, and UPS Store locations throughout LA and SF provide this service for under $20.
- Proof of travel: Printed confirmed itinerary showing international departure within 14 days
- Payment: $130 application fee + $35 execution fee (new applicants) + $60 expedite fee. Verify current fees at travel.state.gov before your appointment.
Minors under 16 require both parents or guardians in person, or a notarized DS-3053 from the absent parent.
Fees and Processing Times
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 |
| Execution fee (new applicants) | $35 |
| Expedite fee | $60 |
| Passport card (add-on) | $30 new / $20 renewal |
| Overnight return shipping | ~$19.53 |
Agency appointments typically result in same-day or 1–3 business day processing. If your flight is within 24–48 hours, state this explicitly and request same-day service.
No Appointments Available?
- Try both offices. LA and SF book independently — if one is full, the other may have openings.
- Call at exactly 5:00 a.m. PT when lines open. Cancellations release at open.
- Check online simultaneously at travel.state.gov — online slots are sometimes available when phone agents say the calendar is full.
- If travel is 10–13 weeks out, expedited mail service (DS-82 renewal + $60 expedite fee) may reach you in time without an agency visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which office should I use — LA or San Francisco?
- Use the one closest to you. Both have the same eligibility rules and fees. If one is fully booked, ask to be checked into the other California location when you call.
- Can I walk in without an appointment?
- No. Walk-ins are not accepted at either California location. You need a confirmed appointment number to pass building security.
- My passport was lost before my trip — what do I do?
- File Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport), then apply as a new applicant using DS-11. Follow the same emergency appointment process. Alert the agent to the loss when you call — it slightly changes your paperwork requirements.
- Can I get a passport card instead of a book?
- You can add a passport card ($30) to your appointment, but note that passport cards are only valid for land and sea border crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda — not for air travel abroad. Most international travelers need the book.