What PBS Passport is and how to get it
PBS Passport is a feature that lets you watch full episodes of PBS shows on demand through the PBS app or website, without waiting for them to air on television. You do not pay extra for it — it comes free when you become a member of your local PBS station and donate at least $5 per month, or make a one-time donation of $60 or more.
The process takes about 10 minutes. You create a PBS account, link it to your PBS station membership, and then activate Passport in your account settings. After that, you can stream thousands of episodes from shows like Masterpiece, NOVA, Downton Abbey, and hundreds of others.
Not every PBS show is available through Passport — some programs have licensing restrictions that prevent streaming. But the library includes most of the major series PBS produces and airs.
Key Takeaways
- PBS Passport requires membership at your local PBS station with a minimum donation of $5 per month or $60 one-time.
- You must create a PBS account and link it to your station membership before Passport becomes available.
- Activation happens in your account settings and takes just a few minutes once your membership is confirmed.
- You can watch on the PBS app (iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV) or at pbs.org from any web browser.
- Some shows are not available due to licensing restrictions, but the majority of PBS's main series are included.
Step 1: Become a member of your local PBS station
You need an active membership with your local PBS station before you can use Passport. Go to your station's website — search for "[your state] PBS" or "[your city] PBS" to find it. Look for a "Donate" or "Become a Member" button, usually at the top of the page.
Choose a membership level. Most stations offer a $5 monthly membership or a $60 one-time gift. Either option unlocks Passport. You will need to provide your name, email address, and a payment method (credit card or debit card). After your donation processes, you should receive a confirmation email from your PBS station.
If you have already donated to PBS in the past, check whether your membership is still active. Some stations keep memberships active for 12 months from the date of your last gift. You can call your station's membership line to ask, or log into your account on their website.
Step 2: Create or sign into your PBS account
Go to pbs.org and look for "Sign In" in the top right corner. If you do not have a PBS account yet, click "Create an Account" instead. You will need an email address and a password you create yourself.
If you already have a PBS account from watching videos or using PBS Kids, sign in with those credentials. You do not need to create a second account.
After you sign in or create your account, you will see your account dashboard. This is where you will link your PBS station membership and activate Passport in the next steps.
Step 3: Link your PBS station membership to your account
In your PBS account dashboard, look for a section called "Memberships" or "PBS Station Membership." Click on it and select your state and your local PBS station from the dropdown menus. If you are not sure which station to choose, search for your zip code — PBS will show you which station serves your area.
Enter the email address you used when you donated to your PBS station. PBS will check their records to see if a membership under that email exists. If it finds one, it will link automatically. If it does not find a match, double-check that you used the same email address at your station that you are using now. If the email addresses do not match, contact your PBS station's membership team and ask them to update your email in their system.
Once your membership is linked, you will see a confirmation message on your PBS account page. This usually happens within a few minutes, but can take up to 24 hours.
Step 4: Activate Passport in your account settings
After your membership is linked, go back to your PBS account dashboard and look for "PBS Passport" or "Activate Passport." Click on it. You may see a message asking you to confirm your membership — just click the button to proceed. Passport should activate immediately.
You will see a message saying "PBS Passport is now active" or similar. At this point, you can start watching. If you do not see this message, refresh the page or sign out and sign back in.
If Passport does not activate, the most common reason is that your membership has not finished linking yet. Wait a few hours and try again. If it still does not work after 24 hours, contact PBS support at pbs.org/support or call your local PBS station.
Where to watch with PBS Passport
You can watch Passport content on the PBS app or at pbs.org. The PBS app is free and works on phones, tablets, and streaming devices. Download it from the App Store (iPhone and iPad), Google Play (Android phones and tablets), or search for "PBS" in the app store on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Google TV.
When you open the app or website, sign in with the same PBS account you used to activate Passport. You will then see a "Full Episodes" section with shows you can watch in full. Non-members see only clips and previews.
You can watch on as many devices as you want as long as you sign in with your PBS account. There is no limit to how many episodes you can stream or how many times you can rewatch them.
Troubleshooting common problems
Your membership is not showing up: This usually means your PBS station has not received your donation yet, or the email address does not match. Wait 24 hours after donating, then try linking again. If you donated by mail or phone, contact your station directly to confirm they have your information.
You see "Passport not yet active" after linking: Your membership is linked but Passport has not activated yet. This can take up to 24 hours. Sign out of your PBS account completely, wait a few hours, and sign back in. If it still does not work after a full day, contact PBS support.
A show you want to watch is not available: Some PBS programs have licensing agreements that prevent streaming, or they may only be available during certain windows (like during or shortly after they air on television). Check back in a few weeks — availability changes regularly.
You cannot sign into the PBS app: Make sure you are using the email address linked to your PBS account, not your station membership email if they are different. If you forgot your password, click "Forgot Password" on the sign-in screen and follow the email instructions to reset it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to donate every month to keep Passport active?
No. A $5 monthly membership or a $60 one-time gift both unlock Passport permanently. You do not have to renew it. However, some stations may require you to renew your membership after 12 months if you want to keep using Passport. Check your station's membership terms or contact them to ask.
Can I share my PBS account with family members?
You can share your login credentials with people in your household, and they can watch on their own devices using your account. PBS does not limit the number of devices that can stream at once. However, your account is personal to you, and sharing outside your household may violate PBS's terms of service.
What if I donate to PBS but not to my local station?
Passport requires membership with your local PBS station specifically, not PBS nationally. If you have donated to PBS.org or another station, that membership will not unlock Passport in your area. You need to donate to the station that broadcasts in your region.
Can I use Passport outside the United States?
Passport is only available to members in the United States. If you are traveling abroad, you will not be able to stream Passport content. Some PBS shows may be available through other services in other countries, but that is outside PBS's control.
Is there a way to get Passport without donating?
No. Passport is a membership benefit and requires a donation to your local PBS station. There is no free tier. However, PBS does offer free clips and previews of most shows to anyone without a membership.