Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.

Can I renew an expired passport by mail?

by Amy
(PA)

Question: My passport expired on last February 7. Can I renew it by mail and expedite the processing as I am planning to travel out of the country in a month?


Answer: You can renew your passport by mail as long as it is not damaged (other than normal wear and tear) or it was not issued when you were a minor.

To expedite the renewal, complete form DS-82 and submit it along with a recent passport photo and your most recent passport. Include evidence of legal name change if your name has changed since the issuance of your most recent passport.

Include payment of the application fee ($110) and expedited service fee ($60). You are strongly encouraged to use overnight delivery service to return your newly issued Passport Book to you. To request Overnight Delivery, pay the $20.66 Overnight Delivery fee for each application, in addition to the required fees noted above. The total for all fees is $190.66. Check or money order should be made out to the Department of State.

Write the word "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope. We encourage you to use a protective package such as a Tyvek envelope and use a traceable means of delivery. Send the package to the address that is on the application form for expedited service. For complete instructions, click the link below.

Note, expedited passport renewals by mail take two to three weeks to process. If you need to obtain a visa for travel, you should schedule an appointment at the Philadelphia Passport Agency where the applicant can be processed as quickly as the same day.

Comments for Can I renew an expired passport by mail?

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Passport was issued Sept 2008
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on Sep 2008. Can I renew by mail?

Answer: Assuming that your passport was issued with 10 years validity (expired Sept 2018), yes, you may still apply for a renewal by mail. After September this year, you will need to submit a new application in person.

Passport Renewal by Mail
Lost expired passport book but have passport card
by: Jen

Question: I lost my expired passport book, but have my expired passport card. Can I use the passport card to send in for a passport book renewal? Or do I need to fill out a new application?

Answer: If the passport card hasn't expired for more than 5 years, you may send it in for renewal and request a passport book.
Expiration renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued March 14, 2007, and expired on March 13, 2017. Can I renew by mail?

Answer: You can no longer renew by mail since is has been more than 15 years since issuance. You now need to submit a new application in person.

New Passport Process and Requirements

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Can I renew a passport book by using a valid card?
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport book is from when I was a child and expired in 2012. However, I did get a passport card that I have been using since then that is not expired as of this year, 2022. Am I still able to renew both by mail given neither one is damaged and the passport card is still a valid passport?

Answer: You may keep the book and just submit the card for a renewal. Just check the box for a passport book or both if you want both card and book on Form DS-82.
Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on 08/28/2007. Can I still renew it?

Answer: If your passport expired in 2017 and is still in good condition, you may send it for a renewal by mail.
Too Late?
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on March 24, 2007. If it is postmarked by March 18, 2022, will it be considered within 15 years? Or do I need to go ahead and apply for a new one?

Answer: It should be considered since it has not been 15 years.
Too Late to Renew?
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport issued June 23, 2006 expired on June 23, 2016. Is it too late to renew it?

Answer: Since it has been more than 5 years since your passport expired, you can no longer submit it for renewal. You now need to submit a new passport application.
Renewal Information of expired passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on Feb. 19 2007 and expired on Feb 18, 2017. Can I renew it by mail? or do I have to renew it in person?

Answer: You may still renew by mail since it has not been 5 years since your passport expired. Please mail in your application before February.
Renewal by mail
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on Dec 26, 2006. If I send it via mail and it is postmarked by Dec 22, 2021, will they accept my application even if it is not received or processed until after Dec 26, 2021?

Answer: Yes, it should be accepted. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
Expired passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired in 2017, do I renew my passport and send it by mail or do I have to do a new passport form in person? The passport is in good condition I only used it once.

Answer: Since it has not been more than 5 years since it expired, you may send your passport for a renewal by mail.

At this time, standard service takes up to 14 weeks while expedited service takes 10 weeks. if you need the passport sooner, you may employ the services of a private passport courier. Our trusted service, Rush My Passport, can get your passport in 4.5 weeks.

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Passport status
by: Glenda E Hernandez

Question: I send for my passport and I haven't heard anything yet. Can you please let me know if you sent it? Thank you. I am traveling on June 18th.

Answer: Hi, Glenda. You may check the status of your application here: http://uspsg.net/status/

Please note that routine processing takes 10 to 12 weeks while expedited service takes 4 to 6 weeks. Based on these processing times and the date you submitted your application, you may predict when you can expect your passport to arrive.
Renewal By Mail On 15 Year Mark Since Expiration
by: Anonymous

Question: If my passport renewal application is postmarked the day before 15 years have passed since the expiration date, is it considered eligible for renewal by mail even though by the time you receive it from USPS, it will likely be a few days over 15 years since it expired?

Answer: It is no longer eligible for renewal by mail. You may submit a renewal 15 years after issuance, not expiration. You now need to submit a new passport application in person.
Replacing a replacement?
by: Sacramennah

Question: I was issued a replacement passport while traveling in 2019, which expired 09/26/2020. Which form must I use to obtain a new passport? DS-11; DS-85; DS-5504? Online instructions are not clear.

Answer: The answer depends on the letter that came with the passport. It should contain specific instructions on how to renew and get a full validity passport. You may also contact passport services at 1-877-487-2778.
Original passport 1980
by: Anonymous

Question: I had a passport issued in 1980 and renewed it once. It expired in 1998. I want to renew it. Can I do it by mail?

Answer: Hello! Since your most recently-issued passport expired over 5 years ago, you can no longer renew it by mail.

You now need to submit a new application as if it's your first passport. You need to submit the application in person at a local acceptance facility.

Please prepare the following requirements:

1. Form DS-11
2. Evidence of U.S. citizenship plus photocopy
3. Proof of identity plus photocopy
4. One passport photo
5. Payment for fees
Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued in April 2004 and it expired in April 2014. Can I renew by mail?

Answer: Since it has been more than 5 years since your passport expired, you can no longer renew by mail.

You now need to submit a new passport application in person. You can do this at a local acceptance facility. Appointments are usually required to it is best that you set one up.
Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I renew my passport which expired May 2012?

Answer: Since it has been over 5 years since your passport expired, you can no longer apply for a renewal by mail. You now need to submit a new passport application.
New passport or renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expires in February 2021. I am getting married in 2021, but after February. Will I need to apply for a new passport or would I still be able to renew it?

Answer: You may apply for a renewal up to 5 years after your passport expires.
Passport expired a while ago
by: Anonymoufays

Question: My passport expired in Feb 2005. Can I still renew by mail, or do I have to apply for a new one, as if never had a passport?

Answer: Since it has been over 5 years since your old passport expired, you can no longer apply for a renewal by mail. You now need to submit a new application.
Expired and lost
by: Anonymous

Question: Lost passport during a move last August. My records show that it expired last June. Since we do not have a copy of the expired passport, do we try to renew it or apply for a new one?

Answer: You now need to submit a new passport application in person.
Renew when you are older
by: Anonymous

Question: My son received his passport when he was 14. He is now 21. Can he still renew?

Answer: Passports issued when one was age 15 or younger cannot be renewed. Your son needs to submit a new passport application.
Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued May 5, 2005 and expired on May 5, 2019. Am I still in the window to renew by mail?

Answer: The maximum validity of adult U.S. passports is 10 years so if your passport was issued in 2005, it must have expired in 2015. You may apply for a renewal by mail up to 5 years after expiration so you have until May to apply.
Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello my passport was issued on 08/14/2007 and expired 08/13/2017 . Can I still renew by mail? Thanks.

Answer: Yes, you may still renew your passport bu mail if it is in good condition.
Does it go by the postmarked date?
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on Jan 2, 2005. It expired Jan 3rd, 2015. I want to renew by mail but only have like 5 days left as it is now Dec 28, 2019. Does the date of renewal application go by postmark date or is it whenever an agent sees your application in Philadelphia? If I express mail this on Dec, 30 2019 will I be able to be within the 5 year renewal window with that postmarked date?

Answer: Yes. You can mail your application up to January 2nd.
Expired passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired in March 2014. Can I still renew or do I need to apply for a new one?

Answer: Since it has been over 5 years since expiration, you need to submit a new passport application in person.
Renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on Feb 15, 1995 and expired on Feb 15, 2005. Can I renew by mail?

Answer: Since it has been more than 5 years since expiration, you can no longer apply for a renewal. You need to apply for a new passport in person.
Renewing expired passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport will have expired 15 years ago on November 2019 (issued on November, 2004). Can I still complete the DS 82 in February 2019?

Answer: Yes, you can.

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UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 8 and 11 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 5 to 7 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.

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