Safe Travels: How to Renew a U.S. Passport

Representational image (Credit: Pixabay/ cytis)

Let's say you booked a once in a lifetime vacation but a few weeks prior to your departure you realize you have an expired passport. A passport renewal may seem complicated, but this guide can help. Here's how you can easily renew a U.S. passport.

Eligible Criteria for Renewing a U.S. Passport

There are two ways to renew your passport: by mail or in person. You can renew by mail if you meet the following criteria:

• You can submit your passport along with the application.
• The passport is not damaged beyond normal wear and tear. (Such as the bending of a passport after being carried in your back pocket or fanning of the visa pages after extensive opening and closing.)
• The passport has never been reported lost or stolen.
• It was issued within the last 15 years.
• It was issued when you were 16 years or older.
• It was issued in your current name or you can provide another document that is evidence of a name change (For example a marriage certificate.)
• It was not limited to less than the normal 10 year period of validity because it has been lost or damaged multiple times.

Required Documents for Renewing your Passport

In order to renew your passport you need the following items:

• Application- the application for passport renewal is the Form DS-82. If you are renewing by mail:
  • You can fill out form DS-82 online and then print it.
  • Download Form DS-82 and fill it out by hand.
  • Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency to pick up a copy of Form DS-82.
• Passport photo - There are strict rules on what qualifies as a passport photo, get more info here.
• Passport renewal fees.
• Your most recent passport.
• Name change documentation, if needed.

Processing Times and Fees for Renewing your Passport

A passport renewal will take around six to eight weeks, not including mailing times. If you want faster delivery you can choose one or both of the following shipping options:

• You can purchase USPS' Priority Mail Express for faster shipping of your application. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
• The "return to you" option: pay $19.53 for one to two day delivery. This means you will receive your passport one to two days after your application is approved and your new passport is sent. Include the fee with your passport fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for fastest return shipping. Do not submit a return envelope with postage prepaid.

Reminders for renewing your U.S. passport:

• Do not send your application using delivery services such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Only USPS or Canada Post can deliver to the PO Box addresses listed on Form DS-82. If you use UPS, FedEx, DHL, or another company to send your application, the application will be returned to you.
• Make sure you include enough postage to mail your application and supporting documents. Check with USPS on shipment options.

Passport renewals usually cost around $320 and can vary depending on how quickly you need it, for example an expedited service costs an additional $60. Here are some things to remember:

• The fees must be paid in the form of a personal check or money order.
• Make your check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State."
• Print the full name and date of birth of the applicant on the front of the check or money order.
• Do not send cash.
• You cannot pay online for passport services. Some companies may charge a fee for you to fill out your passport form. Read the fine print and disclaimers on the websites. These companies are not affiliated with the Department of State.

Calculate the fees you'll be paying to renew your passport here.

Renewing an Expired Passport

You can renew an expired passport but only if the passport was issued within the last 15 years. You must have the passport in your possession, it is not damaged, you were 16 or older when the passport was issued and it must have been issued in your current name or you must show legal proof of your name change.

Requesting an Emergency U.S. Passport

There may come a time when you can't wait eight weeks and you need an emergency passport. There are four services offered and three that can help you get your emergency passport faster:

1. Life or Death Emergency

   • You can qualify for a life-or-death emergency appointment if you need to travel internationally within three business days because your immediate family member is outside of the United States and they
     1. have died.
     2. are dying (hospice care).
     3. have a life-threatening illness or injury.

2. Urgent Travel

   • If you need a passport renewal in order to travel in less than two to three weeks, you should pick expedited service.
   • Make an appointment online. Your appointment at a passport agency or center must be scheduled within 14 calendar days of your international travel date.

3. Expedited

   • Choose this service if you are traveling in less than eight weeks from the date you submit your application. It costs an extra $60 to expedite the process.

4. Routine

   • This is the regular process that takes six to eight weeks when you mail your application.

Mailing your Application

After you have your application, Form DS-82 and supporting documents you must mail it to one of the following addresses:

• If you want a routine service and you live in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, or Texas:
  • National Passport Processing Center: Post Office Box 640155, Irving, TX 75064-0155

• If you want a routine service and live in any other state or Canada:
  • National Passport Processing Center: Post Office Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

• If you want an expedited service, write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the mailing envelope and mail it to:
  • National Passport Processing Center: Post Office Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

After you mail your application and supporting documents you can subscribe to email updates about your application status.

Important Reminders

• If you are behind in child support payments of $2,500 or more, you cannot get a passport.
• When you receive your new passport, the number on the document will be different from the number on your previous passport.
• Bad passport photos are the number one reason why applications are put on hold, make sure to follow the guidelines and quickly respond to the letter asking you to submit a photo.

Bottomline

Travel plans shouldn't be derailed because of an expired passport. The process to renew your passport doesn't have to be complicated, be sure to follow each step to have a successful application and make sure to submit it in time before your travel date.

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