Houston Passport Agency — Emergency Passport Services for Texas

Houston Passport Agency — Official Location & Hours

Address: George Thomas "Mickey" Leland Federal Building, 1919 Smith Street, 1st Floor, Houston, TX 77002

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (federal holidays excluded)

Phone: 1-877-487-2778 (National Passport Information Center — this is the number to call for all appointments)

The Houston office serves residents of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. There is no Dallas or San Antonio passport agency — Houston is the only option for the region.

Who Qualifies for an Emergency Appointment?

You are eligible for an appointment at the Houston Passport Agency if:

• Your international departure is within 14 calendar days, OR
• You need a foreign visa stamp and your visa appointment is within 28 calendar days

You must bring printed proof of imminent travel — a confirmed airline itinerary or cruise reservation showing your name and departure date. A hotel booking or travel insurance certificate alone does not qualify. The word "confirmed" matters: pending or unissued tickets are typically not accepted.

Life-or-death emergencies (serious illness or death of an immediate family member abroad) may qualify for same-day processing. Explain the situation immediately when you call to book.

How to Book Your Appointment

There are two ways to request an appointment at the Houston Passport Agency:

1. Call 1-877-487-2778. Phone lines open at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (7:00 a.m. Central) on weekdays. Call exactly at open — hold times grow quickly, especially in summer. Have your travel dates, destination, and current passport status ready before you dial.
2. Book online at travel.state.gov → "Schedule an Appointment." Online slots are sometimes available when phone agents report the calendar as full, so try both channels.

If your travel is fewer than 72 hours away, say so explicitly when you reach an agent. Priority emergency slots exist but are not always surfaced automatically.

What to Bring — Complete Document Checklist

Missing a single required item means a wasted trip. The Houston Passport Agency will not process your application with incomplete materials.

• Completed application form: DS-11 for a new passport or first adult passport; DS-82 if you are renewing and your current passport is less than 15 years old and was issued after age 16; DS-5504 for a name change, error correction, or damaged passport
• Proof of U.S. citizenship: Original or certified copy of your birth certificate (hospital birth record not accepted), your most recent U.S. passport, or your Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• Government-issued photo ID: Valid driver's license, state ID, military ID, or another federal ID. Expired IDs are not accepted.
• Photocopy of your ID: Front and back on a single sheet of paper
• One passport photo: 2"×2", white background, taken within the last six months. The agency does not take photos — bring your own from a pharmacy, UPS Store, or similar.
• Proof of travel: Printed airline itinerary confirming international departure within 14 days (or visa appointment within 28 days). Print a physical copy; do not rely on your phone screen.
• Payment: Application fee ($130 for a book), execution fee ($35 for first-time applicants only), and expedite fee ($60). Overnight return shipping is approximately $19.53 if needed. Check travel.state.gov for current fee amounts before your appointment.

Minors under 16: Both parents or guardians must appear in person with the child, or the absent parent must provide a notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent).

Arriving at the Houston Office — What to Expect

The Houston Passport Agency is inside a federal building with full security screening. Policies are enforced without exception:

• Only the applicant may enter (plus a parent if the applicant is a minor under 18). Spouses, family members, and friends must wait outside. There is no exception to this rule.
• Arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals are turned away, and the agency will not rebook you on the spot.
• No cameras or large bags. Personal electronic devices with cameras are restricted in some federal areas — confirm current building policy when you book your appointment.
• Parking: There is no dedicated parking at 1919 Smith Street. Use commercial garages nearby or take the METRORail Main Street Square stop (a short walk). Downtown Houston parking fills quickly on weekday mornings — budget extra time.
• Heat: If you arrive before the building opens, you may wait in direct sun. May through September in Houston can be brutal. Bring water.

Processing Times and Fees

Passports processed at an agency appointment are typically issued same-day or within one to three business days, depending on how imminent your travel is. If your flight is within 24–48 hours, tell the agent and request same-day processing.

Fees are set by the U.S. State Department and subject to change. Always verify at travel.state.gov before your appointment.

No Appointments Available? Your Options

The Houston Passport Agency books up quickly, especially during spring break, summer, and the December holidays. If the calendar shows no availability:

1. Call at exactly 8:00 a.m. Eastern on a weekday. Cancellations are released when lines open. Redialing repeatedly in the first 10 minutes of business hours is your best shot.
2. Check online simultaneously. travel.state.gov sometimes shows openings that phone agents don't mention.
3. Try the New Orleans Passport Agency if your travel is from the Louisiana or Gulf Coast side. Dallas and Austin residents have no closer alternative agency — Houston is it for inland Texas.
4. Expedited mail service (if you have 10–13 weeks): Pay the $60 expedite fee and mail your DS-82 renewal. This does not work for emergency travel but can save you a trip for near-term planned travel.
5. Third-party expediting companies such as Rush My Passport can sometimes locate slots faster. Use only services listed on the State Department's authorized expeditor list.

Frequently Asked Questions — Houston Passport Agency

Can I walk in without an appointment?

No. Walk-ins are not accepted under any circumstances. You will be turned away at security without a confirmed appointment number.

My flight is tomorrow — is it too late?

Not necessarily. Call 1-877-487-2778 immediately and state your departure is within 24 hours. Emergency same-day appointments exist but are extremely limited. The sooner you call, the better your odds.

My passport was lost or stolen — what do I do?

If you are in the U.S., file Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport) and apply for a new passport using DS-11, then follow the emergency appointment process. If you are already abroad, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly.

Can I renew my passport at the agency?

Yes, if you have imminent travel and qualify for mail-in renewal (DS-82). Bring your current passport, completed DS-82, one photo, and proof of travel. If you do not qualify for DS-82 (passport over 15 years old, issued before age 16, or significantly damaged), you must apply as a new applicant with DS-11.

My name changed since my last passport. What extra documents do I need?

Bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court-ordered name change document in addition to your standard application materials.