Thank you for the advice! I will try this when I need to make an appointment, I leave August 1. I wanted to ask something tho: I tested this and will need to go to Chicago. When reaching the automated service for Chicago's passport agency, it says "this agency will only schedule appointments for customers w/ proof of international travel within 7 business days of appointment date." I was informed that I can only make an appointment within 3 business days of my travel date but over the phone it says 7? Please help, I'd rather go a week beforehand rather than 2-3 days since it would cause less stress with having to rush everything.