◆ Independent guide by PassportsAndVisas.com — registered U.S. passport expediting company since 1992
Charleston Passport Center — Appointments, Hours & What to Know
The Charleston Passport Center at 2000 Bainbridge Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405 serves travelers with international trips within 14 calendar days — by appointment only, with printed proof of travel required.
PassportsAndVisas.com is a private passport service, not a U.S. government agency. You can always apply directly with the U.S. Department of State — agency appointments are free.
Location data verified against the U.S. State Department dataset · August 23, 2026Apply at the Charleston agency
Free appointment via the State Department — availability varies and can be limited in heavy travel periods
Requires proof of international travel within 14 days (28 if you need a visa), a federal building visit, and the $60 government expedite fee
Traveling later than 14 days out? The agency can't see you — the government route is mailing it yourself:
October 27 – November 10
passport in hand via the government's routine mail route, if nothing needs correcting
Send it to us tomorrow instead
- No Charleston Passport Center appointment required
- We review your application before submission and hand-carry it as a registered expediter
- Secure FedEx shipping and tracking, both directions
…
checking today's guaranteed turnaround
What type of passport do you need?
as fast as 3-4 Days · ★ 4.8 from 11,484 verified reviews
Charleston Passport Center: Essential Information
Hours
M-F, 8:00am-11:00am (Appt)/2:00pm-3:00pm (passport pick-up) · Closed federal holidays
Appointments
Free, online at passportappointment.travel.state.gov — or 1-877-487-2778 if you already applied
Phone
1-877-487-2778 (National Passport Information Center)
TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793
Source: U.S. Department of State passport-agency dataset, checked August 23, 2026 — confirm current details on the official page →. Appointments are always free; treat any site charging for one as fraudulent.
Charleston Passport Center: Quick Answers
| Can I walk in? | No. The Charleston Passport Center is appointment-only. |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies? | Travel within 14 calendar days — or within 28 days if you also need a foreign visa. |
| Does an appointment cost money? | No. State Department appointments are always free. |
| Same-day passport? | Sometimes, based on your departure date and the agency's determination — not guaranteed. |
| Where is it? | 2000 Bainbridge Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405 |
| Hours | M-F, 8:00am-11:00am (Appt)/2:00pm-3:00pm (passport pick-up) · Closed federal holidays. |
How Appointments at the Charleston Passport Center Work
- Confirm you qualify. International travel within 14 calendar days, or a foreign-visa need within 28 days of travel. If your trip is further out, the agency cannot see you — use the mail, online, or expedited routes instead.
- Book at passportappointment.travel.state.gov as soon as you're eligible. Booking is free; availability varies and slots can be limited during periods of heavy travel.
- Already applied and travel moved up? Call 1-877-487-2778 (Mon–Fri 8am–10pm ET, weekends 10am–3pm ET).
- On the day: arrive 15 minutes early for security screening, and bring everything on the checklist below.
What to Bring to Your Charleston Passport Center Appointment
- Printed appointment confirmation — digital copies may not be accepted at the security desk.
- Printed proof of international travel — flight receipt or itinerary; for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean, a hotel reservation, cruise or bus tickets, or international car insurance.
- Your completed application form (DS-11 or DS-82) with all supporting documents, plus photocopies of your ID and citizenship evidence.
- One passport photo — 2×2, taken within 6 months, no glasses.
- Payment card — credit, debit, or contactless. Federal agencies do not accept cash or checks.
Getting to the Charleston Passport Center
Located at 2000 Bainbridge Avenue in North Charleston; the center runs morning appointment blocks with a dedicated 2:00–3:00pm window for passport pick-up.
Like all federal passport agencies, entry requires security screening: show a valid government ID, arrive 15 minutes early, and leave weapons, sharp objects, and food or drink (except sealed water) behind. The building has accessible entrances and facilities — ask security officers or agency staff if you need assistance.
Charleston Passport Center: Questions Travelers Actually Ask
Can I walk into the Charleston Passport Center without an appointment?
No. The Charleston Passport Center is appointment-only. Book through the State Department's online system as soon as you're eligible — availability varies and can be limited during heavy travel periods.
Who qualifies for an appointment at the Charleston Passport Center?
You must have international travel within 14 calendar days (or need a foreign visa within 28 days of travel), show printed proof of that travel, and pay the government's $60 expedite fee on top of standard application fees.
What are the Charleston Passport Center's hours?
M-F, 8:00am-11:00am (Appt)/2:00pm-3:00pm (passport pick-up). Closed weekends and federal holidays. Confirm current hours on the official State Department page before you go.
How do I book an appointment — and does it cost anything?
Booking is free at passportappointment.travel.state.gov. The State Department warns that anyone charging a fee for an appointment is fraudulent. If you already applied and your travel became urgent, call 1-877-487-2778 instead.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Printed appointment confirmation, printed proof of international travel, your completed application form with supporting documents and photocopies of your ID and citizenship evidence, one passport photo, and a credit or debit card — federal agencies do not take cash or checks.
What if there are no appointments before my trip?
You still have a route: eligible renewals don't need the federal building at all, and for first-time, child or lost passports we prepare the full packet and find the soonest local acceptance appointment for the one required in-person signing. As a registered expediter we hand-carry your application — as fast as 3-4 Days.
Can the Charleston Passport Center issue a same-day passport?
Issuance is tied to your departure date: apply close to travel and the agency works to issue before you fly, sometimes with same- or next-day pick-up. It is determined case by case — most travelers should not count on it.
Is the Charleston Passport Center my only option nearby?
It's the only regional agency in the immediate area — the next nearest are Atlanta Passport Agency in Atlanta (~264 miles) and Washington Passport Agency in Washington (~448 miles). Routine applications can also be filed at local acceptance facilities (post offices, clerks, libraries), which handle standard processing, not urgent issuance.
Two Honest Ways Forward
Both routes end with a valid U.S. passport — they differ in what they cost you in time, certainty, and stress:
The agency route
Free appointment + $60 government expedite fee. Requires qualifying urgent travel, printed proof, an available slot, and a visit to a federal building.
Our route — as fast as 3-4 Days
No agency appointment, expert review before submission, FedEx both ways, tracked to your door. Registered passport expediting company, working every year since 1992.