If you’ve previously applied for a U.S. passport, renewing one should be a breeze—or a strong gust. It takes some organization, planning, and yep, a bit of money. Discover how to renew your passport, whether in person or by mail.
Set a calendar announcement six months before your passport is set to expire, reminding you to get the process started. Does it take six months? No. But since many countries require at least three months’ validity left on your passport (and others six), it pays to give yourself some buffer time in case passport wait times are longer than usual. Most passports and passport cards are valid for ten years from the date of issue.
You can renew your passport by mail if you meet certain criteria. Ask yourself:
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then you are unable to renew your passport by mail, and must apply in person. If you answered “yes” to all of them, then you’re able to apply by mail.
If you're renewing your passport by mail, you’ll need to fill out a DS-82 form, which can be downloaded online and asks for standard information—think social security number, address, most recent passport number. (You’ll also be able to select whether or not you want a “regular” book or a larger, 52-page passport.)
Print out the form, and attach one photo to the application with staples. Enclose your current passport (don't worry, you'll get it back), the form, and a check with the appropriate fee, which will be at least $110. Include name-change documents if applicable (a marriage certificate, for example), and mail your completed application and supporting materials in an envelope large enough to fit the application without folding.
Ensure you’ve signed up for a trackable delivery method. Your new passport will be delivered via Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, unless you pay for Priority Express return service. Your old passport may arrive separately, and will probably have holes punched through it.
When you apply in person, you’ll need to bring the following:
You can apply in person at the nearest regional passport office—there are 27 around the country, located in the following major cities:
Note: Some passport agencies require an appointment to renew passports, while others don't. It’s best to contact the agency you plan on visiting beforehand to learn its policy.
Nope! (Too bad it's not that easy.)
Bad photos are the main reason passport applications are denied, which makes it all the more important you know the rules before you head for the photo booth in, say, your local Walgreens.
The cost of an adult passport book is $110 for both renewals and first-time applicants. A passport card is $30, and a passport book and card together are $140. Cash isn't accepted, and checks must be made payable to "U.S. Department of State." On the front of the check, print the full name and date of birth of the applicant. For expedited service, you’ll pay an additional $60 if applying by mail or in person.
Routine processing takes 4-5 weeks from the date of application, including mailing time. If you've already applied for a passport, you can check its status online.
If you need your passport in a hurry, you have to options. First up, there’s expedited service, whether by mail (2-3 weeks) or in person (according to the State Department, getting an expedited passport at an agency takes eight days).
Insiders have told Condé Nast Traveler that these agencies are sometimes able to process passports in one to two days, depending on proof of "immediate" international travel. This, however, can be a time-consuming process that requires the physical presence of the passport holder-to-be. This is where third-party expeditors like Fastport Passport come in: For a fee (upwards of $150), you can fill out and ship paperwork to a the registered third party, which is then allowed to submit expedited passport applications on behalf of customers. They then hand deliver the information to a state agency and return a passport to the customer in as fast as 24 hours—think of it as a butler service, but for your passport.
There is also a new option to go to a FedEx, which has teamed up with RushMyPassport for the entire renewal process, including paperwork, shipping, and photos. It's a pricy option with a $449 fee from FedEx, but they can turn your passport around within 24 hours.
*Additional reporting by Jessica Puckett. This story was originally published in September 2018. It has been updated with new information. *
