Can i renew my passport even if can't find it?
by john fraser
(daytona beach, florida, usa)
Question: A few years ago, my house was foreclosed upon and many of my belongings were hastily packed. Shortly after the foreclosure, I got divorced. My ex has the boxes in a storage unit that I can't get into and my expired passport is in the unit. Is there a way I can get the passport renewed even though I do not have it in my possession? (I just realized how "Jerry Springer" this sounds. Sorry)
Answer: In order to renew a passport by mail using
Form DS-82, you are required to submit your previously-issued passport. If you are unable to get the expired passport, you will have to appear at an application acceptance facility in order to
apply for a new passport.
This means you should complete application
Form DS-11 and take it to the nearest
Florida passport office along with evidence of United States citizenship, proof of identity, a copy of the ID, a current passport photo and payment for fees.
Note, you should not sign the application until requested to do so by an
authorized acceptance agent.
Routine processing is estimated to take up to 6 weeks and expedited service can take up to 3 weeks. Passport renewals can be processed as quickly as the same day at the
regional agency in Miami. If you need your passport renewed in a hurry but are unable to personally submit the application at the regional agency, you can
authorize a third party to apply for the passport.
Click for fast expedited courier service
Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers
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 10 and 13 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.
Expedited service takes from 7 to 9 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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