How to Renew a U.S. Passport

Welcome to our definitive guide for renewing your U.S. passport! Whether your current passport is nearing its expiration date, you’ve filled up all those visa pages from your globe-trotting adventures, or you’ve recently gone through a name change, renewing your passport is a necessary step in ensuring your continued ability to travel internationally.

The good news? Renewing a U.S. passport is typically a more streamlined process than applying for one for the first time. Still, it involves specific steps, forms, and requirements that you’ll need to be aware of to ensure a smooth renewal process. Our guide aims to demystify these steps and offer you a hassle-free experience from start to finish.

Eligibility:

1. Determine Eligibility: Not everyone is eligible for renewal. You can renew your passport if it is undamaged and can be submitted with your application, was issued when you were age 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and was issued in your current name (or you can legally document your name change).

Required Documents:

2. Gather Necessary Documents:

• Your most recent U.S. passport (must meet eligibility criteria mentioned above).
• Completed DS-82 form, available from the U.S. Department of State’s website.
• A recent passport photo that meets U.S. requirements.
• Payment for applicable fees.
• Name change documents (if applicable), like a marriage certificate or court order.

Application:

3. Prepare Your Renewal Package: Put your most recent U.S. passport, completed DS-82 form, passport photo and a check (personal, certified, cashier’s, traveler’s) or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State” (credit and debit cards are not accepted) into an envelope.
4. Mail Your Application: Use a trackable delivery method to send your application package to the address listed on Form DS-82. There are different addresses depending on whether you live in the United States or abroad, and whether you want expedited service.

After Submission:

5. Track Your Application: You can track the status online after you’ve mailed it.
6. Receive Your New Passport: Your new passport will be sent to you via mail. The current processing time as of March 2023 is 10 to 13 weeks for routine processing and 7 to 9 weeks for expedited processing.

Special Notes:

• Expedited Services: If you need your passport urgently, expedited services are available for an additional fee. Make sure to clearly mark “EXPEDITE” on the outside of your envelope if you are using this service.
• Overseas Renewal: If you are abroad, the renewal process may differ slightly, and you will generally need to go through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
• Additional Pages: As of January 2016, you can no longer request additional visa pages to be inserted into your U.S. passport. You must renew your passport if it’s full.
• Validity: Renewed adult passports are valid for 10 years.

• Always check the most current information, as regulations and processes can change. The government occasionally updates the fees, requirements, and processing times, so be sure to consult official sources for the most up-to-date information.

Please note that the information provided is current as of September 2023