by Gaile from Florence, S.C.
Question: My passport expired a few years ago; however, it had the wrong state on it: N.C. instead of S.C. I need one now to get urgent dental work done in Costa Rica. Is this going to be possible?
Answer: You can only renew your expired passport by mail if it expired less than 5 years ago. Otherwise, you will have to appear in person in order to apply for a new passport.
Applying for a renewal by mail takes 6 to 8 weeks for routine service. Since you don't have that long, you will need to request expedited service so that your passport will be delivered in 2 to 3 weeks.
If you prefer not to take the risk of it arriving late, you should plan to submit the application at a regional agency.
Alternatively, you can get a reputable passport expediting service to submit the application for you. When you complete the application for renewal, the correct state should be added to your new passport.
Have More Questions about Fast Passport Renewal?
We pride ourselves in ensuring our readers have all the information they need to get their travel documents as quickly as they need them. For more Q&As from our readers, check out our Expedited Passport Renewal FAQ.
If you need more information about expedited passport renewals, be sure to check out our comprehensive, expert guides below.
- Complete Guide to Expedited Passport Renewals
- Routine vs Expedited Passport Service: Processing Times, Requirements & Cost
- Directory of the Best Passport Expediting Services
- Top Passport Expediting Services with Multiple Locations
- Form DS-82: Avoid Common Passport Renewal Mistakes
- Top 5 Reasons That Work For An Urgent Passport Renewal-And 5 That Don't
- How to Avoid the Busiest Times for Passport Renewal
- The Top 5 Do's And Don'ts Of Expedited Passport Applications
- Renew On Time: When Is The Last Day To Renew Your Passport?
- Why Can't You Renew A Child's Passport In The U.S.?
- Tracking Your Passport Status Updates: A Step-By-Step Guide
- Fast Travel Visa Service - How to Expedite Your Travel Visa Application
Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
3. Are passport expediting services legitimate?
4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor?
5. Is expedited passport service worth it? Get answers to these questions and more in our Ultimate U.S. Traveler's Guide to Passport Expediters.
You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.
