Passport Renewal - Not by Mail

by Andrea
(Waterloo, IA, USA)

Question: I am only able to locate an application for a renewal by mail; however, I would like to renew my passport at my local post office as well as take a new picture rather than providing one of my own. Is there a different application I should fill out for this (other than the Application For A U.S. Passport by Mail)?

Answer: Many Iowa passport offices offer passport photo service. Since many of these offices are located in post offices, you can have your photos taken and mail the application from the same location.

However, you still need to use Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail to renew your passport. Passport renewal applications cannot be submitted to agents at these application acceptance facilities. Passport agents at these facilities only receive applications for new passports not renewals. Also, no passport application is actually processed at these facilities. Applications are processed at regional passport processing centers.

Routine processing takes 4-6 weeks. You can request expedited service when you mail the application. Just include an additional $60 for the service and write the word "expedite" on the envelope. Expedited applications are processed in 2-3 weeks.

If you need to renew your passport more quickly, then you can either visit the Minneapolis Passport Agency or the Chicago Passport Agency. If you are unable to travel to one of these agencies, you can still get your passport fast through a qualified passport expediting service.