Appointment Basics & Etiquette
How Early Should You Arrive for an Appointment?
How to work out the right arrival time for medical, government and business appointments, and what to do if you’re running late.
Independent guide — not a government website. Book My Service can’t book or change appointments, and we aren’t affiliated with organizations named here. Rules and fees change — confirm with the official source before you go.
Key points
- Follow the arrival time in your confirmation — it may be earlier than the appointment time itself.
- Add time for parking, security screening and check-in, especially at large buildings and government offices.
- If you will be late, contact the office before your appointment time; some cancel late arrivals.
Read your confirmation first
Some confirmations give two times: a check-in or arrival time and the appointment time. When there are two, the arrival time is the one to plan around. Offices ask for an earlier arrival when there is paperwork, a security checkpoint or a check-in process to complete first.
How to work out your arrival time
Start from the appointment time and work backwards:
- Check-in: a few minutes at a desk or kiosk, longer if you have forms to complete.
- Security: courthouses, federal buildings and some hospitals screen visitors. Allow extra time.
- Parking or transit: allow time to find parking and walk to the right building or floor.
- Travel buffer: traffic and transit delays happen. Add a margin that matches your route.
As a rule of thumb, many people aim to be in the waiting area 10–15 minutes before a routine appointment. That is a general habit, not a rule — always follow the organization’s instructions.
Arriving too early
Arriving very early isn’t always helpful. Some offices have limited waiting space or won’t check you in until shortly before your time. If you get there early, it’s fine to wait nearby until your check-in window.
If you’re running late
Contact the office before your appointment time if you can. Explain how late you expect to be and ask whether they can still see you or would prefer to reschedule.
Some offices have strict rules. The IRS, for example, says that if you arrive more than 15 minutes after your scheduled time at a Taxpayer Assistance Center and haven’t checked in, your appointment may be cancelled. Rules like this vary, so check yours.
If you can’t make it at all, see how to reschedule.
Video and phone appointments
For telehealth or online meetings, “arriving” means being connected and ready. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ telehealth guidance suggests testing your internet connection and device ahead of time; joining a few minutes early gives you time to fix audio or camera problems. See preparing for a telehealth appointment.
On the day
Bring your confirmation and documents (see what to bring), check in as soon as you arrive, and tell the front desk if you need any accommodation, such as help with forms or a quieter place to wait.
Sources and official links
We checked these sources on . Official pages change, so the live page always wins over this guide.