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Is it faster to renew my passport in person or by mail?

by Daniel from Seattle, Washington

Question: I am over 18 and my passport was issued less than 15 years ago. Which method will be faster to renew, in person or by mail?

Answer: When you renew your passport by mail you have two options concerning processing. Routine processing takes 6 to 8 weeks to complete. You can request expedited processing which will reduce the time to 2 to 3 weeks.

To renew your passport in less than 3 weeks, you also have two options:

  1. You can submit the application yourself at the regional passport agency. For more information, click the link below.

    How to Apply for a Passport at a Regional Passport Agency

  2. You can get a professional passport expediter to submit the application for you. For more information, click the link below.

    Apply for Expedited Service through Expediter

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.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry?
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.

In a Hurry? Get Reliable Expedited Passport Courier Service:Expedite My U.S.Passport Now!
About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

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