Renewing Your Passport ~Information Updated as of Jan. 23, 2014
*If you already have a valid Passport and merely need additional blank pages, you may not have to renew the Passport itself. If interested, please visit this link. If you are a first-time applicant, check out our page here.
**There are special requirements for Students 15 and Younger, visit those instructions here.
***There are special requirements for Students 16-17, visit those instructions here.
****This and the associated pages are in no way linked to the Official Passport Office; they are only meant to help ease the process. Before actually renewing your Passport, review the instructions on the State Department's website at Travel.State.gov and/or contact the Official US Passport Offices via Phone or Email.
WHO? All American Citizens, regardless of age must have a US Passport to cross international borders. If you have a passport that is undamaged, less than 15 years old, was issued after you turned 16, and has expired then you may need to renew it. If your Passport is older than 15 years, then you will have to apply like a first-time applicant. If you were younger than 16 when it was issued, then you will have to apply like a first-time applicant.
The onlypossible exception is for students 15 or younger re-entering the US via Canada or Mexico border crossings (does not include by airplane or boat, nor the entry into Canada or Mexico). Those students must still present some form of official identity such as a Birth Certificate.
HOW? *There are two ways to submit the Renewal documentation--by Mail or in Person.
Step 1: Get a Passport Photo Taken. Check the Passport Photo Restrictions. These pictures can most easily be obtained within an hour at any Walgreen's photo center.
Step 2: Get Your Original Passport Book. If you cannot provide your original passport or if it is damaged, you will need to go in Person.
Step 3: Fill out a DS-82 Form by Hand or Online. If you are submitting the Form via Mail, you must attach the Passport Photo to the Form. To do so, staple it on each side as close to the edge as possible.
Step 5:Collect the Application Fee (and Overnight Delivery Fee if needed.) The Execution Fee is not required for Renewals.
Step 6A: If Submitting the Application By Mail - Mail the DS-82 Form, Passport Book, and Fees in a large manila envelope. It is highly recommended that you request Delivery Confirmation from the Post Office. If requested Expedited Process, you must write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the Envelope.
Step 6B: If Submitting the Application in Person - Visit the needed Passport Agency or Passport Acceptance Facility; show them Proof of ID; and submit to them the following documents together: Original Passport book, Form DS-82,and Fees.
HOW MUCH? You need to submit the exact amount or it may slow down the date of your Passport's arrival. For your convenience, the State Dept. offers a Cost Estimator by which you can calculate the cost for your specific needs. The cost includes the general Passport Fee (Regular or Expedited), but there is no Execution Fee for a Renewal.
Students 16 or Older Regular Fee: $110= $110 Expedited Fee: $110 + $60 = $170 Overnight Delivery: $110 + $12.85 (+ $60 Expedited Fee if necessary) = $122.85 ($182.85)
Payment Methods Mail
Checks (Personal, Certified, Cashier's, Traveler's). Write them out to "Department of State"
Money Orders (U.S. Postal, International, Currency Exchanges). Make them payable to "Department of State.
Passport Agency:
Credit (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), Debit, or Check Cards.
Checks (Personal, Certified, Cashier's, Traveler's). Write them out to "Department of State"
Money Orders (U.S. Postal, International, Currency Exchanges) and Bank Drafts. Make them payable to "Department of State."
Passport Acceptance Facilities
Checks (Personal, Certifies, Cashier's, Traveler's). Write them out to "Department of State"
Exact cash at some locations (verify with the Passport Application Acceptance Facility)
WHEN? It's never too early to apply. Apply as soon as you know you're leaving the country, and take into account the time required for processing as well as the time for shipping the Passport to you. The "Overnight Shipping" fee will only get it to you overnight after it has already been processed, so you will still have to wait the additional processing time regardless of whether you pay this fee.
Estimated Processing Times(as of Jan. 20, 2014) Regular Processing: Approximately 4-6 weeks. Expedited Processing: Approximately 2-3 weeks. For more information of Expedited Processing, please check here. Expedited Processing at Passport Agency: Approximately 5 Business days. However restrictions apply.
WHERE? *There are two ways to submit the Renewal documentation--by Mail or in Person. You must apply in Person at a Passport Facility or Passport Acceptance Facility if:
You are applying for your first U.S. passport; or
You are under age 16; or
Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or
Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged; or
Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago; or
Your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change.
Passport Facilities - If you leave the country within 2 weeks or you need a Visa within 4 weeks, you must go to the closest Passport Facility. Applying at a Passport Facility requires an expedited fee and an appointment; you can make this appointment by calling 1 (877) 487-2778. If you are renewing a Passport for travel within 14 days, you should submit Form DS-82 to the Agency at the time of your appointment. Do not mail in the Form beforehand. BEWARE-There are few Passport Facilities and Appointments are not always available immediately so leave enough time to arrange the appointment at your convenience.
Passport Acceptance Facilities - If you have more time, you can apply via a Passport Acceptance Facility. There are many more of these facilities, and thus one may be closer to your residence. The list includes libraries and post offices, and usually do not require appointments in advance. They will typically accept either regular or expedited fees.
Mail To: National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90155 Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 Be Sure to Mark Envelope "Expedite" if you need the rushed processing.