0 of the 23 facilities here have a listing note that says walk-in or no appointment needed; 9 say appointments are required. Notes are copied from the State Department listing; call ahead to confirm before you go.
Cities in San Diego County with their own page (not repeated below): San Diego (9), Chula Vista (3).
Mix of locations: 22 post offices and 1 school or university.
All 23 locations
Walk-in locations are listed first, then by ZIP code. “Walk-in listed” means the State Department listing says walk-in service or no appointment required; “Appointment listed” means it says appointments are required (some list both, for example walk-in on certain days). Hours change, so call ahead.
-
Appointment listed
Alpine Post Office
2127 Arnold Way, Alpine, CA 91901
Listing note: “Hours: 10am to 3pm Tuesday - Friday, by appointment only. Call (619)445-1772.”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Campo Post Office
951 Jeb Stuart Road, Campo, CA 91906
Listing note: “Hours: 8:00am-3pm Mon-Fri, Call (619)478-5466 for appointment”
-
Descanso Post Office
24680 Viejas Grade, Descanso, CA 91916
Listing note: “Hours: 10am to 12pm and 1-4pm_Monday - Friday, Call for appointment. Call (619) 445-2046.”
-
Jamul Post Office
13961 Campo Road, Jamul, CA 91935
Listing note: “Hours: 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday - Friday, closed 1:30 -2:00 for lunch. Please call (800) 801-9801 to make appointment”
-
Pine Valley Post Office
28858 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley, CA 91962
Listing note: “Hours: 8:30AM to 12PM AND 1-4PM Mon - Fri, Call (619)473-8680”
-
Appointment listed
La Mesa - Spring Valley Post Office
10174 Austin Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977
Listing note: “By appointment only, Mon-Fri 10:00am to 3:00pm. Call 1-800-801-9801”
-
Appointment listed
Tecate Post Office
441 Tecate Road, Tecate, CA 91980
Listing note: “Hours: 10:00am to 3:00pm_Monday - Friday, by appointment only. Call (619) 478-5819.”
-
Appointment listed
Borrego Springs Post Office
2599 Country Club Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Listing note: “Hours: 8:30am to 1:30 pm Mon - Fri, by appointment only. Call 1-760-767-0741”
-
La Costa Station Post Office
1700 Aviara Parkway, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Listing note: “Hours: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm_Mon - Fri, Call 1-800-801-9801 for appointment.”
-
Appointment listed
El Cajon Main Post Office
401 W. Lexington Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
Listing note: “Hours are Mon-Fri 9a-12p 1p-3p; Sat 9am-12pm by appointment only. Call 1-800-801-9801 for appointments”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Encinitas Main Post Office
1150 Garden View Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
Listing note: “Hours: 10am to 3:00 pm_Monday - Friday. Please call 1-800-801-9801 to make appointment.”
-
Escondido Main Post Office
1157 West Mission Ave., Escondido, CA 92025
Listing note: “Hours: 9:00am to 2pm_Mon - Fri. Call 1-800-801-9801 for an appointment.”
-
Fallbrook Post Office
747 S Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Listing note: “Hours: 10am-3pm_Mon - Fri, 11am-2pm Sat. Plese call 1-800-801-9801 for an appointment.”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Julian Post Office
1785 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
Listing note: “Call 1-760-765-3648 for appointment.”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Lakeside Post Office
12515 Woodside Ave., Lakeside, CA 92040
Listing note: “Please call 800-801-9801 for assistance.Mon-Fri 10:00am-1:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm, Sat 10:00am-12:00pm.”
Listed email: [email protected]
-
Appointment listed
Camp Pendleton Area 22 Post Office
Area 22-Unit 5, Building 220106, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Listing note: “MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:30AM to 11:00 AM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY; call 760-725-4691 for appointment.”
-
Oceanside Main Post Office
1895 Avenida Del Oro, Oceanside, CA 92056
Listing note: “Hours: 9AM-12:00PM to 1:00PM-3PM - Mon-Fr;, 12:45PM to 1:45PM Lunch Call 1-800-801-9801 for appt.”
-
Appointment listed
Ramona Post Office
1444 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065
Listing note: “Hours: 9am to 2:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, by appointment only. Call 1-800-801-9801.”
-
San Marcos Post Office
420 N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069
Listing note: “Call 1-800-801-9801 for appt.”
-
Appointment listed
Solana Beach Post Office
153 S Sierra Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Listing note: “Hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm_Mon - Fri, Call 1-800-801-9801. Appointment only”
-
Appointment listed
Valley Center Post Office
28588 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA 92082
Listing note: “Hours: 10:00am to 3:00pm_Monday - Friday, by appointment only. Call 1-800-801-9801.”
-
Pala Vista Annex Post Office
1525 E Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084
Listing note: “Hours: 8:30am - 2:30pm Mon - Fri, Closed Sat. and Sun Call 1-800-801-9801 for an appt.”
-
University of California San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
Listing note: “No APPT required.Corner Gilman/Voigt Campus Serv Complex�Bldg A. call 858-534-1164 extension #5-SECOND SAT OF EVERY MONTH”
Nearest passport agency (urgent travel)
Acceptance facilities in San Diego County, CA send applications to the State Department; they can't print a passport. If you travel internationally within 14 days, you need an appointment at a passport agency or center, with proof of travel. The closest to San Diego County, CA:
San Diego Passport Agency about 22 miles away (straight line)
1 Columbia Place, 401 West A Street, 10th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
Official page updated October 22, 2026. Official agency page
Los Angeles Passport Agency about 113 miles away (straight line)
West L.A. Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90024-3602
Official page updated October 22, 2026. Official agency page
Distances are straight-line from the average location of the facilities on this page. Appointments are free; book through the State Department. See all passport agencies and the urgent-travel rules.
Passport fees
At an acceptance facility you pay two separate fees: the application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State (check or money order), and the $35 execution (acceptance) fee goes to the facility itself. Ask the facility which payment types it accepts.
Applying in person (DS-11)
Application fee (to State Dept) + acceptance fee (to facility)- Adult (16+) first-time, passport book (DS-11)$130to State Dept+$35to facility
- Adult first-time, passport card (DS-11)$30to State Dept+$35to facility
- Adult first-time, book + card (DS-11)$160to State Dept+$35to facility
- Under 16, passport book (DS-11)$100to State Dept+$35to facility
- Under 16, passport card (DS-11)$15to State Dept+$35to facility
- Under 16, book + card (DS-11)$115to State Dept+$35to facility
| Optional add-ons | Fee |
|---|---|
| Expedited service | $60 |
| 1-3 day return delivery (book only) | $26.87 |
| File search | $150 |
Renewing instead? (no acceptance fee, not done at these locations)
| Renewal | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult renewal by mail, book (DS-82) | $130 |
| Adult renewal by mail, card (DS-82) | $30 |
| Adult renewal by mail, book + card (DS-82) | $160 |
Fees from the State Department fees page and fee chart (PDF), checked October 27, 2026.
What to bring
Apply in person with Form DS-11 if this is your first U.S. passport, if you are under 16, if your most recent passport was lost, stolen or damaged, if it was issued more than 15 years ago, or if it was issued when you were under 16.
- Form DS-11, printed single-sided and not signed. Sign it only when the acceptance agent tells you to.
- Original (physical, not digital) evidence of U.S. citizenship, such as a U.S. birth certificate, a full-validity undamaged U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, plus a photocopy.
- A physical photo ID such as a fully valid driver's license, plus a photocopy of the front and back. If your ID is from a different state than the one you apply in, bring a second photo ID.
- One passport photo that meets the photo requirements.
- The two fee payments: the application fee to the U.S. Department of State and the $35 acceptance fee to the facility.
Photocopies must be on 8.5 x 11 inch paper, single-sided.
Sources: Apply for your adult passport, citizenship evidence, photo ID requirements.
Passport photo rules
- 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm); head between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head.
- One color photo taken in the last 6 months, on a white or off-white background.
- No filters, edits or retouching.
- No eyeglasses, sunglasses or tinted glasses, unless you include a signed doctor's note for a medical reason.
- No hats or head coverings unless worn daily for religious reasons (signed statement) or medical reasons (signed doctor's statement).
- No uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage; remove anything covering your face unless for documented religious or medical reasons.
- Face the camera with a neutral expression (a closed-mouth smile is fine), both eyes open and visible.
Source: State Department photo requirements.
How long it takes
| Routine | 4 to 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| Expedited (+$60) | 2 to 3 weeks |
Processing times do not include mailing time, which can add up to 2 weeks each way.
Traveling soon? If you travel internationally within 14 days (or need a foreign visa within 28 days), you need an appointment at a passport agency or center, with proof of travel. Acceptance facilities like the ones below cannot issue passports on the spot.
Source: State Department processing times (page updated October 5, 2026).
Tools
Passport fee calculator
What you'll pay, split between the State Department and the facility.
Renew by mail or online, or apply in person?
Check the official DS-82 rules in a minute.
Traveling within 14 days?
All passport agencies, addresses and appointment rules.
Passport photo requirements
FAQ
Can I get a passport without an appointment in San Diego County, CA?
None of the 23 acceptance facilities in San Diego County, CA is listed as walk-in in the State Department database; 9 of them say appointments are required. Call the number in the listing to book.
How much does a first-time adult passport cost?
For an adult passport book applied for in person, the application fee is $130 paid to the U.S. Department of State, plus a $35 acceptance fee paid to the facility. Expedited service adds $60.
Can I renew my passport at these locations?
No. Acceptance facilities handle new applications on Form DS-11. Most adults can renew by mail (DS-82) or online.
How long does a passport take right now?
The State Department lists routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited at 2 to 3 weeks, not counting mailing time.
Where is the nearest passport agency to San Diego County, CA?
The closest is the San Diego Passport Agency at 1 Columbia Place, 401 West A Street, 10th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101, about 22 miles away in a straight line. It serves only customers with urgent travel (within 14 days) by appointment, which is free to book through the State Department.
Facility data: U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility API (cadataapi.state.gov), pulled October 27, 2026. Names and notes are shown as published, including typos. Spotted an error? Tell us.