You need a valid passport in order to travel internationally. If your expiration date is approaching, our expert advice is to renew your passport as soon as possible.
This step-by-step guide will help you through all the steps to renew a passport.
In a rush? Routine renewal processing by mail currently takes 6 to 8 weeks. If you can't wait that long for your passport, you will need to expedite your application.
For more on getting your passport renewed as quickly as possible, check out our Complete Guide to Expedited Passport Renewals.
The passport renewal process is the same, whether you are renewing a passport book, a passport card, or both. The only differences are the renewal fees. Passport cards are more limited in their usefulness, but they are also cheaper.
Ultimately, renewing a passport is faster, easier, and less expensive than getting a new passport.
Follow the steps below to get started with the mail-in passport renewal application process:
All of these steps are explained in greater detail below.
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The first step to renew a passport is to complete the appropriate application form.
While it is not possible to renew your passport online, you can complete the renewal application form online and print it for mailing.
Application for Passport Renewal Online
After completing the renewal application online, print the completed form on white paper. Only print on one side. Make sure that the quality is good and it is not difficult to read. Then, sign the form with your legal signature.
If you have connection problems while trying to complete the passport application online, or one of your answers is not accepted, it will be necessary to download the form and complete it by hand.
Download Passport Renewal Form
Use the link above to print a blank Form DS-82 and fill it out offline. Use black ink to do this. It is important that you write legibly or it could lead to printing errors on your passport that would require you to apply for corrections. It could also delay your passport application.
The form has a total of 6 pages. The first 4 pages contain instructions and important information about how to renew your passport. The last 2 pages are the ones you write on. It takes about 40 minutes to complete, but many applicants finish much faster.
The photos submitted with your passport renewal application must be no more than 6 months old.
Unacceptable passport photos are one of the leading causes of delays.
Make sure your passport photo is 2 inches by 2 inches and in color with a white background. The photo should not be edited. You can take the photo yourself and print it on high-quality photo paper as long as it meets all the requirements.
If you don't have experience with taking and printing passport photos, we recommend you use a professional photo service.
We have created a comprehensive guide to passport photos that details all the specifics you need to consider including where to get a passport photo, what to wear, and the most common reasons a passport photo can be denied.
There are multiple fees for renewing a passport. It starts with the basic renewal fees:
There are also optional passport services fees that may add to the total of your payment:
Be sure to calculate passport fees correctly and accurately. The Department of State will not refund overpayments. Even worse, if you do not pay your application fee in the correct amount, your application won't be processed.
Once you know the correct total, write a check or money order payable to "U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE." The full name and date of birth of the applicant must be typed or printed on the front of all checks or money orders. Do not send cash. There is currently no way to pay for a passport renewal online with a debit card or credit card.
Use an envelope large enough that you don't have to fold the application and supporting documents. A Tyvek envelope is recommended in order to protect the enclosed items.
Place the completed and signed renewal form, new passport photo, required documents, your most recent passport, and your check or money order into the envelope.
You must submit your most recent passport book and/or passport card. Again, if you no longer have it in your possession or it is significantly damaged, you cannot renew your passport by mail. If you have your old passport and include it with your application, it will be canceled and returned to you along with your birth certificate and any of your other ID documentation. Be advised, these documents are usually mailed separately from your new passport.
If you are applying to get a new passport in a different name than the one that is in your most recent passport, you are required to submit proof of a legal name change with the application form.
Acceptable documents to prove a legal name change include:
Any name change document you submit must be an original or a certified copy. It will be returned to you.
The address you send the package to will depend on how quickly you want the passport renewed. There are separate mailing addresses depending on the service you need.
Note: errors on the form or the submission of unacceptable documents can lead to delays in the process.
Use the addresses below for standard passport processing service:
Standard Service (If you live in CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX):
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155
Standard Service (If you live in any other state or Canada):
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
If you need expedited passport processing service, use the address below:
Address for Expedited Service:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
If you are choosing expedited service, there are a few extra steps to take:
If you need to renew a travel document, you are not alone. Approximately 60-70% of the over 15 million passport applications processed each year by The U.S. Department of State are for passport renewals.
However, not everyone with a passport is eligible for a passport renewal.
In order to do so, your most recent passport must meet all, of the following requirements:
So, if your expired passport was valid up to 5 years ago, don't throw it away! That most recent passport is your ticket to being able to renew your passport by mail!
Normal wear and tear are to be expected. However, any combination of rips, water damage, missing pages, and/or damage to the RFID chip could mean your passport is ineligible to be renewed. This is a good reason to invest in a protective passport cover or a travel wallet with RFID protection.
If you do not meet all the criteria above, you cannot apply to renew your passport by mail. You need to submit the application for a new U.S. passport (Form DS-11) and supporting documents in person at an application acceptance facility.
In most cases, you can schedule an appointment online to submit your application form and supporting documents at the nearest passport office.
If you do meet the criteria above, congratulations! Your current passport can be renewed.
Currently, routine passport applications are taking 6 to 8 weeks to process.
Currently, passport applications are taking 2 to 3 weeks to process.
However, these times change based on a variety of factors. These times also do not include shipping. Delays in the mailing process can add even more wait time before you receive your passport.
For more, check out our guide: How long it takes to get a passport renewed?
Currently, no. While there was a trial online renewal program provided by the U.S. Department of State, it is currently closed.
There may be plans to potentially restore this program in the future. However, during the trial on the State Department website, there were limitations on who qualified for online renewal that went beyond the requirements for the mail-in method. Also, there was no increase in processing speed for those that applied online versus those that didn't.
Our best advice is to apply for a passport renewal no later than 9 months before your current passport's expiration date.
There are a two main reasons for this:
Some countries require only 3 months of validity. Others have no such requirement (beyond the need for a passport that will be valid for the duration of your stay).
While you can renew an expired passport, you will be unable to travel until your passport application is processed and your new travel documents are returned to you.
Technically, you can renew your passport at any time while it is still valid and up to 5 years after expiration.
It is important to note that any remaining validity on your existing passport will not transfer to your new one. The safe move is to renew 9-12 months before expiration to ensure you are able to travel internationally to countries that require a minimum of 6 months of passport validity for entry.
Since you have to mail in several important identifying documents with your passport renewal application, it can be nerve-wracking when you don't know where they are.
You will typically receive the supporting documents from your passport application separately from your new passport. They should arrive via USPS within 1-2 weeks of receiving your passport. If you have been waiting more than that, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
First, be sure to verify the information is correct. If it isn't you'll need to file for a correction.
If everything is correct, you can sign it, complete your personal data page (in pencil), make copies, and ensure it is stored in a safe location.
Finally, set reminders for your new passport expiration date so you can be sure to remember to renew it in time.
For a full walkthrough of how to set up and care for your new passport, check out our guide, What to Do With Your New Passport When It Arrives.
Don't see the questions or answers you're looking for? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions about Passport Renewal for more of our best advice based on over 20 years of helping readers like you with their travel document questions.
You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.