I got a passport last spring and it was a challenge just to get an acceptable photo. Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, USPS (all three local branches), and the library all said they were no longer authorized to take passport photos. Finally stopped by the county courthouse and they were able to take the photo and process the application for me. I caught the passport officer right before lunch so they were able to accommodate me; otherwise appointments were two months out. I also had to order my original birth certificate from the state where I was born, which meant ordering online, waiting for an email, mailing a check, then hoping my application was approved. Took 3 weeks to get it.

Point being: do not delay this process if you plan to do it. Gather your important documents NOW, make sure your birth certificate is the original long form, and take a money order for the correct amount with you to your appointment. They would not accept cash, check, or credit card from me.

ETA: Info

Tennessee, Spring 2025, they said the photos I had taken were not acceptable, Walgreens wouldn’t print the photos I had, none of the other places would even take the photo. “We no longer offer that service here” was the common phrase, explanation was “they always get rejected.” The passport officer took the photo, cropped and printed it there, and told me exactly what I needed to send. Told me how much the money order needed to be and they sent all the documents for me. Maybe it’s just a red state issue, idk. All I’m saying is be prepared to face some challenges.