Where do I send my application for passport renewal?

by Lorene
(Warner Robins, GA)

Question: I'm an American citizen with residency in Norway. Currently IN the US (until April) and my passport (and Norwegian residency sticker inside passport) is expiring in a week. Do I NEED to send my passport to the embassy in Oslo or can I take care of the renewal here in the Atlanta area? No problem to get the residency sticker attached to new passport on arrival in Norway.

Answer: You do not need to apply for a passport renewal through the embassy in Oslo. You can send your application to the National Passport Processing Center in the United States.

U.S. citizens can renew passports by mail if they meet the following criteria.

Your Most Recent U.S. Passport:

- Is undamaged and can be submitted with your application
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older
- Was issued within the last 15 years
- Was issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change

To get a passport renewal by mail, send the completed form DS-82 along with your current passport, two passport photos and payment for the fees to the address on the form.

It take 4-6 weeks to get your renewed passport. Your current passport will be canceled and returned to you. It may come in a separate envelope.

You can request expedited service by mail. Just include an additional $60 payment and write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope. Expedited service takes 2-3 weeks.

If your prefer to get your passport renewed before it expires, you will either have to visit the regional agency in New Orleans or authorize a private passport expediting service to do it for you.

If you do not meet the criteria listed above, you need to apply for a new passport using form DS-11.