2 of the 9 facilities here have a listing note that says walk-in or no appointment needed; 4 say appointments are required. Notes are copied from the State Department listing; call ahead to confirm before you go.
Most of these locations are in San Diego County. Other acceptance facilities in the county: San Diego County, CA (23 more).
Mix of locations: 6 post offices, 1 city or town office, 1 county or state office and 1 school or university.
All 9 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.
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Walk-in listed
San Diego City Clerk
202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Listing note: “Call (619)533-4000 for appointment Mon-Fri;limited morning walk-in service available Tues-Thurs,call to confirm availability.”
Listed email: [email protected]
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Walk-in listed
San Diego Co Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Listing note: “More information is available at www.sdpassports.com; Walk-in customers welcome!”
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Appointment listed
Riverfront Carrier Annex
2600 Camino Del Rio, North, San Diego, CA 92108
Listing note: “Monday - Friday 8:45AM - 2:45PM by appointment only. call (800) 801-9801 for assistance.”
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Appointment listed
College Grove Postal Store
3426 College Ave, San Diego, CA 92115
Listing note: “Hours: 10am to 3pm_Mon - Fri. By appointment only, call (800)801-9801”
Listed email: [email protected]
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Appointment listed
University City Retail Post Off - San Diego
3298 Governor Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
Listing note: “Hours: 10am to 3pm Monday - Friday. By appointment only, call (800)801-9801.”
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Rancho Bernardo Postal Store
16767 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
Listing note: “Please call (800) 801-9801 for assistance.”
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Otay Mesa Carrier Annex Post Office
2960 Fern Avenue, San Diego, CA 92154
Listing note: “Please call (800) 801-9801 for assistance.”
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Sdsu International Student Center - Passport Office
International Student Center, San Diego, CA 92182
Listing note: “www.sdsu.edu/passportoffice”
Listed email: [email protected]
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Appointment listed
Carmel Mountain Postal Store
11251 Rancho Carmel Dr., San Diego, CA 92199
Listing note: “Located Retail Lobby/PO Box window. Enter parking driveway #1. Appointment required. Please call(800) 801-9801 Closed Mon,Sun”
Nearest passport agency (urgent travel)
Acceptance facilities in San Diego, 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, CA:
San Diego Passport Agency about 6 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 116 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, CA?
The State Department database lists 2 of the 9 acceptance facilities in San Diego, CA as walk-in or no appointment required. Walk-in hours are set by each location, so call the number listed before you go.
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, CA?
The closest is the San Diego Passport Agency at 1 Columbia Place, 401 West A Street, 10th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101, about 6 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.