How to renew my passport?
There are two different ways to do this: In person or by mail.
RENEWING “BY MAIL”
Ensure you are eligible to renew by mail. If you answer “no” to any of these questions you MUST apply to renew in-person
a. You have your passport in your possession to submit with your application
b. It’s undamaged other than normal wear and tear
c. Was issued when you were 16 and older
d. Was issued in the last 15 years
e. Was issued in your current name or your name change can be documented
Go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html
a. There you will scroll down to choose the FORM FILLER option of the DS-82.
This is the document that you will have to submit as the application portion of the renewal process. ENSURE everything is correct as well as sign and date the form.
If you have a Canadian Social Insurance number: Do not input this number in place of the U.SSSN.
3. You must print this form out in SINGLE sided paper.
4. Once you have the printed out application, now is time to submit all your documents:
a. Passport book and/or card.
NOTE: you will receive your old passport book and/or card back, however it may not come in the same package as your new one.
b. Application Paper
c. Name Change document (if applicable)
Must supply a certified copy of the legal name change document. Ex: Marriage license, Divorce decree, Court ordered name change document. These documents will be returned in a separate mailing package.
d. Attach ONE photo to the application.
Photo requirements can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
You must attach the photo to the passport application by placing four staples vertically to the edges of the photo. See picture below for guidance:
You CANNOT wear glasses in your photo unless you have a signed note from a doctor that you can.
e. Include your payment
As of 7/9/2022, you cannot pay online. The only form of payment accepted is checks or money orders made payable to the “U.S Department of State”
When you Print your FULL name at the top of the check, include your Date or Birth as well.
Fees for renewal:
Passport book: $130
Passport card: $30
Passport book and card: $160
The Expedited service costs an extra $60
Processing times is from 5-7 weeks for this service
5. Now it is time to mail your application
a. If you live in the US you must use the United States mail service.
b. Depending on where you live you must send your application and documents to one of the addresses below:
For routine service and residents of CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155
For routine service and residents of any other state and Canada:
National Passport Processing Center
Post office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
For Expedited Service in any state or Canada use the “Philadelphia” address and write “EXPEDITE” on the front of the envelope.
c. If you want a Faster delivery:
You can opt to mail it first class priority at the U.S Post Office (extra fees apply)
You can opt to get it mailed in 1-2 days back to you for $18.32 according to the travel state website. You would include this payment with your application fees, you do not pay it to the post office.
Remember this is AFTER it gets processed which can be multiple weeks!
This does not mean you will get the entire process done in 1-2 days.
Track your application status online
Go to this website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/status.html
RENEWING IN PERSON
You must fill out the DS-11 form at this website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html
a. Use the form filler option, this will ensure you are filling out the right form
b. DO NOT SIGN this form until you are instructed to do so by the acceptance agent
You must submit ONE of the following (must be an ORIGINAL or a CERTIFIED, PHYSICAL copy)
a. Fully-valid, undamaged Passport (may be expired)
b. US Birth Certificate
c. Consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth
d. Certificate of Naturalization
e. Certificate of Citizenship
You must also bring a Photocopy of your citizenship evidence
a. Black and white
b. Standard size of a sheet of paper
c. One-sided
d. Legible
You must present ONE of the identification documents that are specified at this link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/identification.html
a. If you cannot provide one of the options in the primary ID section of the link above, you must provide TWO forms of identification from the secondary ID section of the link above.
You Must also bring a photocopy of your ID
a. Same guidelines as the photocopy of the citizenship evidence
Bring ONE passport acceptable photo
a. Do NOT attach the photo to the form
b. Guidelines for passport acceptable photos can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
FEES
a. Passport Book and Acceptance Fee: $130 + $35= $165
b. Passport Card and Acceptance Fee: $30 + $35 = $65
c. Passport Book, card, and Acceptance Fee: $130 + $30 + $35 = $195
d. For Expedited services, it is an extra $60.
e. NOTE: I recommend to pay with a check or money order, the website does not indicate if cash or card is accepted. You may call a passport acceptance agency to confirm this, but as a safe option. Checks and money orders are always accepted.
To submit your application
a. Make an appointment to go to your local passport acceptance facility
b. REMEMBER to bring ALL of the above documents explained in the above bullet points!
You can track your application status at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/status.html