Is it possible to renew US passport without an appointment?

Member since 23 February 2021

bigmollyNew member23 February 2021 20:41:35

I will soon be traveling to Costa Rica to check it out as a potential place to live, and am planning to renew my US passport while I'm there, because it's almost expired. In looking at the online schedule of appointments, the soonest appointment is months out. I am curious if it's possible to simply show up at the US consulate in San Jose and deal with my passport on the spot? Or at any rate, if there are other appointments reserved for in-person scheduling rather than everything online? I would appreciate hearing from others' experiences on this.

Thanks!

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DSizor New member

Member since 05 March 2021

DSizorNew member05 March 2021 10:57:39

I have done a US passport in 24 hrs twice. it is super simple. I would not try to do it in another country. First, technically they will not let you on a US plane to a different country without 2 months remaining. If they do let you on (I used an expired license once to get on a domestic flight unknowingly and faced a shit show later) you risk being stuck in another country. It isn't worth the hassle. Renew it in the US by traveling to a passport agency. It will be done in 24 hrs or less. Technically, you need a flight within a short period (I don't recall if it is one or two weeks), and they will give you a new passport in the same day. Some agencies are more uptight than others about your proof of emergency.

daveandmarcia Serial expat

Member since 03 February 2023

daveandmarciaSerial expat04 May 2023 20:08:12

351

Yes, you can renew a U.S. passport via the services of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose without having to travel there in person. The Embassy website has a section on "citizen services" where the whole process, via mail, is explained.