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Is it faster to renew my passport at a post office than mailing it in?

by Kavin
(Brooklyn, NY)

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. Will this be faster?

Answer: Passport application acceptance agents located in local post offices do not receive applications for renewals.

Passport renewal applications must be sent by mail or submitted at a regional passport agency. However, regional agencies only attend to applicants who need to travel within two weeks or less or within four weeks if the applicant needs to obtain a visa after the passport is issued.

Applying for a passport renewal by mail requires the applicant to send his or her most recently issued passport. Millions of people do this every year.

There are a couple of things you can do to better protect your documents and ensure safe delivery. One, use a a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.

Two, mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.

Standard processing takes up to 6 weeks, 8 weeks or more depending on the demand at the time you apply. If you want your passport faster, you can request expedited passport renewal service which is estimated to take 2-3 weeks. If you do this, you need to include an additional $60 in the payment to the Department of State.

Write the word "Expedite" on the outside of the envelope. You can also accelerate the process by using two-way overnight delivery.

Note, address to which the application and supporting documents is sent depends on the type of processing you select.

Your most recent passport will be returned to you along with your new one. However, they may arrive separately.

For complete instructions, click the link below.

How to Renew Passports

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Passport renewal mail transfer
by: Don

Question: I want to renew my passport but will be at a different home for 3 months. Will the post office transfer my new passport to my new address with my other mail or is it non-transferrable?

Answer: You may enter your new address as your mailing address on the form.

Fee Question_Mailing Question
by: Gary W

Question: I am renewing my passport. I'm unclear which payment option to choose.
Adult PPT Book + Card - Adult Passport Book - Adult Passport Card (I assume my current Passport book is valid).

Secondly, can I mail both mine and my wife's Renewals in the same envelope?

Answer: Hello, Gary. If you want both the passport book and passport card, you should pay $140. If you only want the book, the fee is $110

You may mail both applications together. Just make sure that everything is properly labelled. I suggest you place each application set in separate envelopes and send both together in a larger envelope.

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More Passport & Travel Information

Getting a Passport Expedited at a Post Office
Requesting express service at post offices and other facilities that accept application forms from U.S. citizens.

Applying at a Regional Passport Agency
Where processing centers are located. How to schedule an appointment. What documents to take with you.

Using a Registered Courier Service
How to pick a legitimate courier service company to assist in getting your passport quickly.

Routine vs. Expedited Passport Service: How to Choose
Guide to help you decide if standard or fast track processing is the best option for your situation.

How to Renew a U.S. Passport Fast
Learn to expedite passport renewals as quickly as the same day. Where and how to renew passport in a hurry.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry?
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
3. Are passport expediting services legitimate?
4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor?
5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

Get answers to these questions and more in our Ultimate U.S. Traveler's Guide to Passport Expediters.

You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.

In a Hurry? Get Reliable Expedited Passport Courier Service:Expedite My U.S.Passport Now!
About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

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