Passport Renewal FAQ

Want to know when, where and how to renew a passport? You can get the answers to your questions about renewing a U.S. passport directly below.

Pressed for time? Need to expedite your passport quickly but can't take off work or live too far from a processing center? Click here for registered passport expediting courier service.

Top 20 Passport Renewal Questions & Answers

How can I renew my passport?

To renew your passport, mail the completed renewal form with your previously-isssued passport, a recent passport photo and payment for fees to the address on the form.

Passports issued to minors age 15 or younger cannot be renewed by mail nor those that are significantly damaged. In both cases, it is necessary to apply in person at an application acceptance facility.

How early can I apply for a passport renewal?

We recommend you submit the application for a passport renewal approximately nine months before it expires. However, you can renew a passport at any time. You may want to include a brief explanation if your request is made a couple of years or more before the date of expiration.

Do I need to renew my passport before my trip?

Just because a passport has not expired does not mean that it is valid for a specific destination. Many countries require a passport have three to six months of validity remaining as an entry requirement. If your passport does not have sufficient validity for the countries you plan to visit, you will need to apply for a renewal before your trip.

What application form is required to renew a passport?

Form DS-82: Application For Passport Renewal By Mail

How do I affix my photo to Form DS-82?

You should affix the passport photo as per the instructions on the form. Use two staples along each side of the photo.

Where should I send my passport renewal application?

Please mail the renewal form to one of the addresses below. This only applies to applicants in the United States. You must use a service that delivers to post office boxes.

Routine Service:

National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90155 Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

Expedite Service:

National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90955 Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

How should I send the passport renewal application?

Place the completed application form and supporting documents in a large envelope. Do not fold the form. We recommend you mail the renewal form and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.

How much does it cost to renew a passport?

The renewal fee is $110 for a passport book and $30 for a passport card. You can request both the book and the card on the same application form.

How long does it take to get a passport renewed?

The time it takes to processing a renewal application is approximately six weeks for routine service.

How can I expedite a passport renewal?

There are three ways to expedite a passport renewal. You can request expedited service by mail, schedule an appointment at a regional processing center or employ the services of a registered expediter.

Can I request expedited service after sending the application?

It may be possible to expedite a renewal after submitting the form. Please call 1-877-487-2778 to speak with a customer service representative about this.

What is the fastest way to renew a passport?

It is possible to get an emergency passport renewal processed as quickly as the same day at a regional agency. The expedited commitment at these centers is to process applications within eight business days. However, an agent will evaluate your situation and the current demand to determine how quickly your application can be processed. Applicants who are unable to visit one of the agencies can get a third party to submit the application.

Will I get my old passport back?

Yes, you will get your old passport back unless it has been signficantly damaged or altered. The old passport will be cancelled and returned to you. It may arrive separately from your new passport.

How do I renew a child's passport?

Passports issued to minors age 15 or younger cannot be renewed by mail. To renew a child's passport, the minor must apply in person with both parents at an application acceptance facility.

Can I renew my passport in person?

The only place you can renew a passport in person is at a regional processing center. In order to do this, you must provide proof that you will be traveling within 2 weeks or need to obtain a foreign visa within 4 weeks.

How do I renew my passport while abroad?

You should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate general in order to get information about renewing your passport abroad.

Can I renew my passport if I can't find it?

No, you cannot renew by mail if you can't find your passort. If it is still valid, you should register a lost passport report. In this case, you must apply in person at an application acceptance facility.

Can I renew my passport by mail if it is expired?

You can renew an expired passport as long as it was not issued more than 15 years ago.

Where can I check the status of my passport renewal?

You can check the status of your application here. Note, it takes 5-7 business days for the application to be entered into the system. Also, details about the process are not provided. You will only discover if your application is being processed or completed.

Click for reliable expedited passport courier service.

More Passport Renewal Frequently Asked Questions

Click the links below to read complete answers to questions about renewing a United States passport.

How can I renew my passport if I can't mail it in? Question: I need my passport everyday since I work in Mexico. What is the best way to renew, since I can't mail it in with form DS-82?

Forget to check passport book box on application form Question: I am renewing my passport and I forgot to check the Passport Book box at the top of the form. I have indicated on the application that I will be traveling to Italy. Will they send it back?

Can I renew my passport even if can't find it? Question: My passport is in a box in a storage unit that I can't get to. Is there a way I can get the passport renewed even though I do not have it in my possession?

When Can I Renew My Passport? How long before my passport expires can I apply to renew it?

How is the new expiration date on a passport renewal calculated? Question: Does the new expiry date for a renewed passport come 10 years from the applicaiton date or 10 years from the date the old passport will expire?...

Is it faster to renew my passport at a post office than mailing it in? Question: I'm a little hesitant to mail my currently valid passport and would rather submit my paperwork and passport to the passport office directly....

Passport Renewal with Name Change Answers to questions about applying for a passport renewal and a name change at the same time.

When do I renew for Liberia, especially if I have a valid VISA in passport still? Question: My passport expires within 5 months of my travel to Liberia but I have a VISA in my passport that will be valid- 1) Do I need to renew? 2) If ...

Should I Renew My Passport or Get a New One? Answer to the question, Should i renew my passport or get a new one?

What is the current renewal fee? Question: My passport will be expiring in a few months. Where can I get an application form in my state and how much is the processing fee?

Which form do I use to get another passport? Question: I had a passport but I cannot find it. It got packed away in a move. It is probably almost expired because I think I got it about 10 years ago. Do I apply as a renewal? What form do I use?

Do I need to fill out Form DS-82 to renew passport in person? Question: I need to renew my passport but I cannot wait 4-6 weeks. I am going in person to a same day service. What do I need to bring?

Passport Renewal Application - When You Forget Something What to do if you forgot to include an item with your passport renewal application.

Can I put 2 passport renewals in the same envelope? Question: I would like to put my husband's and my own passport in the same envelope. Do they need to be mailed separately?

How can I check to see if I have a valid passport? Question: My last passport expired 5/01/2010. I thought I had renewed it but now can't locate it. Do I need to renew or can I get a duplicate? Answer:...

How to answer Question 20 on form DS-82? Question: Both me and my wife have passports that we got around 9 years ago. We do not know the exact location of our next trip. How do we complete question 20 on the form?

Is there still an official record of my expired passport? Question: I'm applying for a new passport because my former one expired years ago. I can't find my old passport to use it as identification. Is a record somewhere of the old passport that I could have someone look up?

Renewal of 18 Year Old's Passport Question: 18-year-old child's passports all expired this year. Do both parents need to accompany the child to the USPS passport office to renew using the DS-11 form?

Should passport renewal be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested? Question: I have everything ready to MAIL but want to know the best way to mail all the renewal information including my original passport. Do you ...

How long do I have to renew my passport? Question: I have no urgent need to renew it at this time. I read that I actually have 15 years to renew it. So I could let it expire now and renew it in the next five years. Is this correct?

What can I do if it is within 7 days of travel and I still don't have my passport? Question: I sent in all of my information for a standard renewal in Oregon, have 5 weeks until I travel, and forgot to write 'expedite' on the envelope....

Where is my renewed passport? Question: My husband and I mailed both of our passports together for renewal to PO Box 90155 in Philadelphia. Our separate checks were cashed on 2/8/11....

Extra passport pages in my renewed passport Question: I would like to renew my passport for a trip around the world. Is it possible to get a renewed ...

Renewal of expired official passports Question: My wife and I both had official (red) passports in addition to our blue tourist passports while stationed overseas as DOD civilians. The official red passports expired three years ago and we would like to get them renewed if possible...please let us know the details and how.

If I live in California, can I renew my passport in New York? Question: I am a student at NYU and will be studying abroad next fall. My passport expires soon and I was 15 when it was first issued. I ...

Will the number change when I renew my passport with my new, married name? Question: I am recently married and have changed my name with social security. My passport expires in August, so I need to renew it now, and ...

Should I renew my son's passport? Question: In the spring of '07 I got passports for myself, my then 13 yr old son and my 17 yr old daughter for vacation that summer. My daughter's and ...

Do I get to keep my old passport? Question: I have an Indian Visa that is valid for 2 more years. They have told me that the visa is valid as long as I carry both my old and new passports ...

Can I purchase airline tickets before my passport is renewed? Question: My passport has expired and I am in the process of renewing it. I plan to fly abroad soon and would like to know if I will be able to purchase my airline tickets before my passport is renewed.

Can I renew my US passport while retaining my Canadian citizenship? Question: I'm 28 years old, born in the US and am a Canadian citizen living in Canada. My US passport was last renewed at the age of 5. 1. I would ...

Passport Renewal - Not by Mail Question: I am only able to locate an application for a renewal by mail; however, I would like to renew my passport at my local post office as well as ...

Can I travel internationally during a passport renewal process? Question: If I use the renew by mail process, can I travel internationally using a photocopy of my passport while awaiting the return of the passport ...

Should my 18 year-old daughter renew her passport in person? Question: My daughter is 18 and needs to renew her passport, which was issued on April 11 2006. it will expire on April 10 2011. We live in Germany, and ...

How can I keep my current passport while renewing it? Question: My passport expires in April of 2011, so I need to get it renewed. However, I cannot be without my passport for any length of time, as I often ...

Renew passport for 19-year-old daughter away at college Question: My older daughter is getting married in Costa Rica November 6th. My 19-year-old daughter is her maid-of-honor. She is 19 and is attending Oklahoma ...

Can I renew an expired passport by mail? Question: My passport expired recently. Can I renew it by mail and expedite the processing as I am planning to travel out of the country in a month?

How can I renew my US passport and still keep a 10-year Indian Visa? Question: I applied for and got a 10-year Indian Visa. My US passport needs to be renewed but before I start the renewal process, I would like to know if the Indian Visa will be carried over to the new US passport.

Renewal question for passport that expires soon Question: My passport expires at the end of this month - if I don't get it to you in time can it still be "renewed" or do I have to go through a different process?

Can I renew my passport without sending the old one so I can travel? Question: Is there any way I can get my new passport without having to send the current one in as this would make it impossible for me to travel?

What if I need to travel internationally while my passport is being renewed? Question: My passport expires in September, and I need to travel in October. However, I may also need to travel to Switzerland in August. Is there some ...

How is the 15-year passport renewal date calculated? Question: My passport was issued on 8/3/95, exactly 15 years ago. I need a passport for a trip to late in the year 2010. Is 8/3/2010 the last date for ...

Renewing a Passport at a Regional Agency Answers to questions about renewing a U.S. passport at a regional agency.

Submitting an Expired Passport for Renewal Question: Do I have to submit my most recent passport (will expire in June next year) when I renew or can I submit a prior passport and keep the current one in my possession?

If I am still waiting to receive my renewed passport, is there a way to go out of the country before I receive it? Question: I decided to renew my passport since it expires next year. I filled out all the paperwork and sent in my old one and it's been about a week....

Passport ran out of visa pages Question: My passport expires on 8/2011, and I ran out of pages and I need travel to China next month, do I need to renew my passport or add more pages?...

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers