Seattle Passport Agency — Emergency Passport Services for Washington State

Agency Location and Hours

The Seattle Passport Agency is the Pacific Northwest's federal office for emergency and expedited passport issuance. It is located at 300 5th Ave, Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104 in the Fifth and Yesler Building — a modern office complex in downtown Seattle's Pioneer Square–adjacent corridor, close to the King Street Station transit hub. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed on all federal holidays.

Suite 600 means the sixth floor — take the elevator from the lobby. Federal security screening is in place at the building entrance; bring photo ID and your appointment confirmation. Seattle's downtown can be wet and windy in the morning, so factor in weather-related delays if you're walking from a transit stop.

Who Qualifies

The Seattle agency is reserved for travelers with documented, time-sensitive travel needs:

• Departing internationally within 14 calendar days — confirmed flight, cruise from Seattle or Vancouver BC, or ferry itinerary required.
• Needing a foreign visa within 28 days — bring consulate correspondence showing the visa appointment date.

Seattle sees heavy Canada-border traffic and cruise departures from the Port of Seattle. If you're boarding an Alaska cruise or a flight to Asia, the 14-day window frequently applies. Emergency exceptions for family crises abroad are handled case-by-case — explain the situation fully to the NPIC operator when booking.

Booking Your Appointment

No walk-ins accepted. All appointments go 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 recommended for departures within 72 hours

Note the time zone: NPIC opens at 8:00 AM Eastern, which is 5:00 AM Pacific. West Coast travelers who call at 5:00 AM PT reach NPIC right as the lines open, giving access to the freshest appointment slots before East Coast callers fill them. If Seattle is booked, ask NPIC to check the San Francisco agency as well.

Required Documents

Bring originals — the agency makes copies at the counter. For first-time applicants:

• Completed DS-11 form — do not sign until the agent instructs you; premature signature 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 — Washington State 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 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 fee table below

For renewals, use DS-82 and bring your most recent passport (issued after age 16, within past 15 years, undamaged). No birth certificate needed for renewals.

Passport Fees

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 not accepted for government fees.

Getting to the Seattle Passport Agency

The Fifth and Yesler Building at 300 5th Ave is well-served by Seattle's transit network:

• Link Light Rail (1 Line): Pioneer Square Station is two blocks from the building. Ideal from Sea-Tac Airport (40-minute ride) or Capitol Hill.
• King Street Station (Amtrak/Sounder): One block from the building — perfect if you're traveling in from Tacoma, Olympia, or Everett by train.
• Metro Bus: Multiple routes stop on 3rd Ave (one block west). Routes 21, 56, 120, and dozens of others are nearby.
• Driving: The parking garage at 3rd Ave and Yesler Way is the closest. Budget $20–$35 for a few hours. I-5 and I-90 access is quick, but downtown surface streets are congested by 8 AM.

Seattle-Tacoma travelers with early international departures may find it useful to book an 8:00 AM agency appointment, get the passport by early afternoon, and make a same-day international flight. Confirm processing time when booking — agency staff can give a realistic estimate for your specific situation.

No Appointment Available?

If Seattle is fully booked before your departure:

1. Ask NPIC to check San Francisco — The SF agency serves the West Coast and frequently has earlier availability than Seattle.
2. 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.
3. Licensed courier service — A registered expediting company can hand-carry your application to whichever West Coast agency has the earliest opening. Budget $150–$300 above government fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm taking an Alaska cruise leaving from Seattle — do I need a passport?

For closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port), a passport card or even a birth certificate plus photo ID technically suffice for U.S. citizens. However, a full passport book is strongly recommended in case of emergency disembarkation in Canada or a medical evacuation. Airlines won't accept you without one.

What time zone is the NPIC phone line on?

Eastern Time. The line opens at 8:00 AM ET — that's 5:00 AM PT. West Coast callers who dial at 5:00 AM Pacific get first access to new appointment slots before East Coast volume builds up.

Can Oregon or Idaho residents use the Seattle agency?

Yes — there are no residency restrictions. Seattle is the most practical option for much of Oregon and Idaho. The Portland area in particular is a common origin, accessible via I-5 (3-hour drive) or the Amtrak Cascades train.

Are passport photos available near the building?

There is no on-site photo service. Several Walgreens and CVS locations in downtown Seattle (within a few blocks) offer passport photos. Get yours taken before your appointment.

How long will I wait at the agency?

Plan for 45–90 minutes of total time inside, including check-in, document review, and processing. Same-day pickup (for travel within 3 days) requires you to return to the will-call window before 3:00 PM. The staff can give you a pickup time estimate when you check in.