Passport Center Atlanta: Where and How to Get a U.S. Passport in Atlanta, GA

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and need a U.S. passport, you don’t actually go to a place called “Passport Center Atlanta.” Instead, you’ll use a mix of:

• The Atlanta Passport Agency (for urgent travel)
• Local passport acceptance facilities (post offices, clerk of court, libraries)
• Certified photo services around the city

Understanding which one you need — and when — will save you time, stress, and unnecessary trips.

The Main “Passport Center” in Atlanta: Atlanta Passport Agency

For most people looking up “Passport Center Atlanta,” the place they really need is the Atlanta Passport Agency, a federal office that handles urgent passport services by appointment only.

Atlanta Passport Agency

• Address: 230 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Location tip: In Downtown Atlanta near Peachtree Center, a short walk from the Peachtree Center MARTA Station.
• Who it’s for: Travelers who need a passport very quickly (generally within 14 days, or 28 days if you need a visa).
• Access:Appointment required; walk-ins are not accepted.

When You Should Use the Atlanta Passport Agency

You typically use the Atlanta Passport Agency if:

• You have urgent international travel within 14 calendar days and:
  • You never had a passport, or
  • Your passport is expired or lost, and you can’t wait for routine mail processing.
• You need a passport within 28 days and also need a foreign visa.
• You have a life-or-death emergency involving immediate international travel.

You must bring:

• Proof of travel (for urgent travel) – such as:
  • Flight itinerary
  • Printed ticket confirmation
  • A signed letter from an employer for short-notice business travel
• Required passport forms, photo, identification, and fees.

How to Get an Appointment

To visit the Atlanta Passport Agency, you typically:

1. Call the National Passport Information Center (listed on the U.S. Department of State site) and request an appointment at the Atlanta Passport Agency.
2. Provide:
   • Your travel date
   • Your location (Atlanta)
   • Whether it’s new, renewal, or emergency service.
3. Write down:
   • Appointment time
   • Case number or confirmation details
4. Arrive early with all paperwork already completed.

⚠️ Important: If you show up at the agency without an appointment, you will almost always be turned away unless you qualify for a very specific emergency exception.

Where Most Atlantans Go: Local Passport Acceptance Facilities

If you’re not under immediate time pressure, you’ll usually apply at a passport acceptance facility in the Atlanta area, then your application is mailed to a national processing center.

Common acceptance locations in and around Atlanta include:

• U.S. Post Offices (inside the city and metro area)
• Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court and other county clerk offices
• Some city/county libraries or government buildings

These locations:

• Accept your application, verify your identity and documents, collect your fees, and mail everything in.
• Are perfect for:
  • First-time adult applicants
  • Children under 16
  • Adults whose previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago or before age 16
  • Name changes that require a new book rather than a simple mail-in renewal

Examples of Passport Acceptance Options in Atlanta

Below are sample types of locations you’ll find in and around Atlanta. Always confirm hours and whether an appointment is required:

• Post Offices (USPS) in Atlanta

  • Often located in neighborhoods such as Midtown, Buckhead, West End, and Southwest Atlanta
  • Many require an appointment (booked online or by phone)
  • Typically offer passport photo services on-site

• Fulton County government offices

  • Some clerk of court locations accept passport applications
  • Convenient if you also need other legal/record services on the same trip

• Nearby county facilities
  If you live in the metro area (e.g., DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton), your county clerk or local post offices may also serve as acceptance facilities and may be less busy than some in-city locations.

Quick Comparison: Atlanta Passport Agency vs. Local Acceptance Facilities

Use this overview to decide where to go:

Applying for a Passport in Atlanta: Step-by-Step

1. Decide What Type of Application You Need

In Atlanta, you’ll follow the same federal categories as anywhere else in the U.S.:

• First-time adult passport (age 16+)
• Child passport (under 16)
• Adult renewal (if your previous passport was issued less than 15 years ago and when you were 16 or older)
• Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport
• Name or data changes

Your category determines which form you must use and whether you must appear in person at an acceptance facility or the Atlanta Passport Agency.

2. Choose Routine vs. Expedited Processing

From Atlanta, you can select:

• Routine processing

  • Lower cost
  • Longer wait time
  • Good if your trip is several months away

• Expedited processing

  • Higher fee
  • Faster processing
  • Useful if your trip is coming up but not within the 14-day urgent window required for the Atlanta Passport Agency

You can add expedited service whether you apply at a post office or at the Atlanta Passport Agency, but the urgency threshold for the agency is usually stricter.

3. Gather Documents Before You Go

For most in-person applications in Atlanta, you will need:

• Completed application form (un-signed until you’re in front of the agent)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
  • U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport
• Valid photo ID
  • Georgia driver’s license, state ID, or other acceptable government ID
• Passport photo (meeting State Department requirements)
• Payment
  • Usually two separate payments:
    • Application fee to “U.S. Department of State” (check, money order, or other allowed method)
    • Execution/acceptance fee to the facility (local method varies)
• For minors:
  • Parents/guardians’ IDs
  • Proof of parental relationship
  • Possible consent forms if one parent cannot appear

Many Atlanta-area acceptance facilities post what forms of payment they accept; some do not accept credit or debit for the government fee, so verify before you go.

Passport Photos in Atlanta

You’ll need a passport photo that meets specific size and quality requirements. In Atlanta, you have several convenient options:

• Post office locations that offer passport photo services
• Pharmacies and retail photo centers commonly found around Atlanta
• Professional photo studios that list passport/ID photo services
• Some shipping and printing stores near business districts like Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead

Tips:

• Verify the photo service specifically mentions “U.S. passport photos.”
• If you wear glasses, you’ll generally need to remove them for the photo.
• Avoid white clothing that blends into a plain white background.

Getting to the Atlanta Passport Agency: Local Tips

If your appointment is at the Atlanta Passport Agency in Downtown:

Transportation

• MARTA Rail:
  • Use the Red or Gold line.
  • Get off at Peachtree Center Station.
  • Follow signs toward Peachtree Street; the office at 230 Peachtree St NW is a short walk.
• Driving:
  • Downtown traffic can be heavy during rush hours.
  • Nearby parking garages and paid lots are available but can be expensive.
  • Build extra time for parking and walking to the building.
• Rideshare/Taxi:
  • A good option to avoid parking if you’re coming from neighborhoods like Grant Park, Inman Park, Buckhead, or West Midtown.

Security & Building Access

• Bring a government-issued photo ID to enter the building.
• Allow time for security screening at the entrance and to reach Suite 1000.
• Keep all documents accessible; you’ll likely need to show your appointment confirmation at check-in.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Need Passport Help

If you’re traveling through Atlanta and have an emergency, you can still use the Atlanta Passport Agency if you:

• Are physically in Atlanta or nearby when you call for an appointment
• Can show proof of imminent travel
• Have all necessary ID and documents (or at least enough to start an emergency case)

If your trip originates from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the downtown agency is reachable by:

• MARTA: Airport Station to Peachtree Center Station (no transfers, just follow the Northbound line)
• Car or rideshare: About 20–30 minutes outside heavy traffic, but can take longer at peak times

In a true emergency, calling the national passport line for guidance is often faster than trying to sort it out at the airport.

Common Atlanta-Specific Questions About Passport Services

Can I just walk into a post office in Atlanta and apply?

Some Atlanta post offices accept walk-ins, but many now require or strongly recommend appointments, especially in busy areas. To avoid waiting or being turned away when they’re fully booked, it’s best to schedule ahead.

Can I renew my passport by mail from Atlanta?

Yes, if you qualify for mail-in renewal (adult, prior passport within 15 years, undamaged, issued at age 16 or older, and in your current name or with proper documentation), you can:

• Complete the renewal form at home
• Get your photo taken in Atlanta
• Mail your application and payment to the processing address listed on the form

You do not need to visit a “passport center” or acceptance facility for this type of renewal.

How early should I apply in Atlanta?

Because Atlanta is a large metro area with heavy travel traffic:

• Many residents aim to apply at least several months before international travel.
• If you know you’re planning a trip, starting the process 3–6 months in advance gives you a wide safety margin.

Simple Planning Checklist for Atlanta Passport Applicants ✅

Before you head to any passport center or facility in the Atlanta area, make sure you have:

• [ ] Chosen the right type of application (new, renewal, child, replacement)
• [ ] Decided on routine vs expedited processing
• [ ] Completed the correct form (but not signed yet, if in-person)
• [ ] Gathered proof of citizenship and a valid photo ID
• [ ] Obtained a compliant passport photo in Atlanta
• [ ] Confirmed location, hours, and appointment (post office, clerk, or Atlanta Passport Agency)
• [ ] Prepared acceptable forms of payment for both federal and local fees
• [ ] If going to the Atlanta Passport Agency, secured an appointment and printed proof of travel

With these steps, Atlanta residents and visitors can navigate the city’s passport options confidently, whether they’re planning months ahead or dealing with a last-minute international trip.