A U.S. passport renewal can often be completed online or by mail, without an appointment at an acceptance facility. The right option depends on the passport’s condition, issue date, the applicant’s age when it was issued, and upcoming travel plans. Checking eligibility and processing times before applying helps prevent delays. This guide explains how to renew a U.S. passport, which form to use, what it costs, and what to do when travel is approaching.
Check Whether the Passport Can Be Renewed
Many adults can renew an existing passport rather than apply in person for a new one. For a mail renewal using Form DS-82, the applicant generally must be able to submit the most recent passport, which must be undamaged apart from normal wear. It must have been issued when the applicant was at least 16 and within the past 15 years. The passport should be in the applicant’s current name, or the applicant must provide an acceptable name-change document.
These rules matter because an application that does not qualify for renewal may be returned or delayed. A passport that is lost, stolen, significantly damaged, issued before the holder turned 16, or issued more than 15 years ago generally cannot be renewed with DS-82. In those situations, the applicant usually applies in person with Form DS-11 and supporting documents. DS-11 applicants cannot use the standard mail-renewal process.
Online renewal has its own eligibility requirements, which may differ from the mail process and can change as the service is updated. Applicants should use the U.S. Department of State’s passport renewal page to check current online requirements before beginning. They should not submit a separate paper application while an online renewal is in progress.
Choose the Right Renewal Method
Renewing Online
Online renewal can be convenient for eligible applicants because the application, payment, and photo submission are handled through the State Department’s online system. The applicant creates an account, enters personal information, uploads a digital passport photo, and pays online. The system provides instructions for tracking the application. Online renewal is not a way to obtain a passport immediately; applicants with urgent travel should review the State Department’s urgent-service options instead.
Before starting, applicants should confirm they can meet the current online rules, including any limits related to age, passport type, travel plans, or delivery address. A digital photo must satisfy the government’s requirements; a casual phone picture or a scanned image may not be acceptable. If the online system does not allow the applicant to proceed, the State Department’s eligibility tool can help identify another method.
Renewing by Mail
Applicants who qualify for renewal but cannot or do not want to apply online can generally submit Form DS-82 by mail. The application is available on the State Department website. It should be completed according to its instructions, printed if required, signed, and mailed with the existing passport, an acceptable photo, and payment. The address depends on the shipping method and whether expedited service is requested, so applicants should use the current address listed in the form instructions.
Mail renewal is different from applying at a passport acceptance facility. Acceptance facilities, such as many post offices and public libraries, generally serve first-time applicants and people who must use Form DS-11. They do not normally process routine DS-82 renewals in person. If the applicant is unsure which form applies, the State Department’s online form assistant is a useful starting point.
Gather the Required Documents and Photo
For a typical mail renewal, the application package includes the completed DS-82, the applicant’s most recent passport, one compliant passport photo, and the required fee. If the applicant’s name has changed since the passport was issued, a certified marriage certificate, court order, or other qualifying document may be needed. The document must meet the State Department’s rules; photocopies or informal records may not be sufficient.
Passport photos must be recent and meet specific size, background, lighting, and head-position rules. For a U.S. passport, the standard photo size is 2 by 2 inches. The image should show a neutral expression or natural smile, with the face clearly visible against a plain white or off-white background. Glasses are generally not permitted in passport photos, except in limited medical circumstances with documentation. The State Department’s photo requirements explain acceptable images and common reasons photos are rejected.
Applicants should not staple or alter documents unless the form instructions specifically direct them to do so. They should follow the current instructions for attaching the photo and sending the passport. Using a trackable mailing service can help document when the package was sent and delivered, but it does not speed up government processing.
Understand Passport Renewal Fees
Fees depend on the passport product and processing option. At the time of writing, the State Department lists adult renewal fees of $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card, or $160 for both. Expedited processing costs an additional fee, and optional faster return delivery may also be available. Fees and payment rules can change, so applicants should confirm the current amounts on the official passport fees page before submitting an application.
A passport book is valid for international air travel and is accepted for land, sea, and air entry at eligible destinations. A passport card is less expensive but cannot be used for international air travel. It is designed for land and sea travel to certain nearby destinations, including Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean countries. Travelers who may fly internationally generally need a passport book.
| Renewal choice | Typical use | Fee information |
|---|---|---|
| Passport book | International air, land, and sea travel | Check the current renewal fee |
| Passport card | Eligible land and sea trips; not international air travel | Check the current renewal fee |
| Book and card | Air travel plus a convenient land-and-sea option | Check the combined renewal fee |
For a mail application, payment must follow the DS-82 instructions, including the accepted payment method and payee. Do not send cash unless the official instructions explicitly permit it. Online applicants pay through the online system. A rejected payment or incorrect fee can slow the application.
Plan Around Processing Times and Travel
Routine and expedited processing estimates change with application volume and season. The State Department posts current estimates on its processing times page. Those estimates generally describe processing after the application reaches the agency; mailing time to and from the processing center can add days or weeks. Applicants should check the estimate when they apply and leave a substantial buffer before departure.
Expedited service can shorten processing, but it does not guarantee delivery by a particular date. It usually requires an additional fee, and applicants should follow the instructions for requesting it. Paying for faster return shipping, when available, affects delivery after processing; it does not move an application ahead of the processing queue.
For international travel within the State Department’s urgent-travel window, an appointment at a passport agency or center may be necessary. Appointments are limited and require proof of imminent travel. The State Department defines the current time window and appointment rules on its urgent-travel page. Applicants should not rely on an appointment being available until it is confirmed.
Travelers should also check the entry rules of their destination. Some countries require a passport to remain valid for a set period beyond the travel dates, often three or six months, and airlines may enforce those requirements. A passport that is technically unexpired may still be insufficient for a particular trip.
Submit the Application and Track It
Before mailing a DS-82 package, applicants should review the form for missing signatures, verify the fee, confirm the photo meets the requirements, and include the original passport and any required name-change evidence. The application should be sent to the address specified for the chosen service. Applicants may use the State Department’s online status tool after the application enters the system.
Online applicants should save their confirmation details and monitor the account or status updates for requests or notices. Processing status may not appear immediately after submission. If the agency asks for additional information, responding promptly and exactly as instructed can reduce further delays.
The passport sent with a mail renewal is not available for travel while the application is being processed. Applicants should not make plans that depend on using that passport during the renewal period. If a passport is needed sooner than expected, they should contact the State Department using the official instructions rather than sending a duplicate application.
Common Passport Renewal Problems to Avoid
- Using the wrong form: DS-82 is for eligible renewals; applicants who do not meet its requirements generally need DS-11 in person.
- Waiting until the last minute: Processing estimates do not include all mailing time and can change during busy periods.
- Sending an unacceptable photo: Incorrect size, shadows, tinted glasses, or a noncompliant background can lead to a request for a new photo.
- Overlooking name changes: Include the required certified evidence if the current legal name differs from the passport.
- Assuming every country accepts a nearly expired passport: Confirm destination-specific validity rules before booking or departure.
- Using unofficial services without checking costs: Third-party companies may charge extra and do not control government processing times.
If the Passport Is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged
A lost or stolen passport should be reported to the State Department promptly. Reporting it invalidates the document, so it cannot be used even if it is later found. The holder will generally need to apply for a replacement using the procedure for a new passport, rather than submitting a routine DS-82 renewal. The State Department explains how to report a passport and apply for a replacement on its lost and stolen passport page.
Significant damage can also make a passport unacceptable for travel. Water damage, torn or missing pages, unauthorized markings, or damage to the identity page may require replacement. Normal wear does not necessarily invalidate a passport, but border officials and airlines may refuse a document they consider damaged. When its condition is questionable, replacing it before travel is safer than waiting for a carrier or border officer to make the decision.
Use Official Sources for Final Checks
Passport rules, fees, online eligibility, and processing estimates can change. Before applying, applicants should verify their situation directly with the U.S. Department of State, use the current form instructions, and check the destination country’s entry requirements. Careful preparation—choosing the right renewal method, submitting a compliant photo, paying the correct fee, and applying early—can make passport renewal more predictable.