How to Renew a US Passport
Most adults can renew a passport by mail with Form DS-82US Passport Renewal Application — The form for renewing a passport by mail. Only for adults whose current passport is undamaged and issued within the last 15 years.Click for official info ↗ — no appointment, no line at the passport office. Here is who qualifies, what it costs, and how to not mess up the photo.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Confirm you qualify for renewal by mail
You can renew by mail if your current passport: is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and has your current name (or you can document a name change). If ANY of these fail — damaged, issued as a child, expired more than 5 years ago — you must apply in person with Form DS-11US Passport Application — The form for first-time passports, minors, and anyone not eligible to renew by mail. Filed in person.Click for official info ↗ like a first-time applicant.
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- Fill / Prepare 20 min
Complete Form DS-82
Fill it out online at the State Department's form filler (then print) or by hand in black ink. Use the name that matches your current passport/legal name. Sign and date it — unsigned forms are the top mail-rejection cause.
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- Fill / Prepare 30 min
Get a compliant photo
2x2 inches, taken within 6 months, white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, normal street clothes (no uniforms or hats). Drugstores (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) take them for about $10–15 and know the specs. Home photos work if the lighting is even and the head size is correct (1–1⅜ inch from chin to crown).
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- Submit & Pay 1 hour
Mail the package correctly
Send your old passport, signed DS-82US Passport Renewal Application — The form for renewing a passport by mail. Only for adults whose current passport is undamaged and issued within the last 15 years.Click for official info ↗, photo, and payment (check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State" — no cash or cards by mail) in a padded envelope. Use a traceable mailing method (USPS Priority with tracking). Mail to the address on the DS-82US Passport Renewal Application — The form for renewing a passport by mail. Only for adults whose current passport is undamaged and issued within the last 15 years.Click for official info ↗ instructions for routine or expedited service. Your old passport comes back, usually marked canceled.
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- Wait 6–11 weeks
Track it online
Routine processing runs about 6–8 weeks; expedited (add $60) about 2–3 weeks — these times shift seasonally, so check the current estimates. Track status at the State Department's online status checker about 2 weeks after mailing. "Not Found" for the first 2 weeks is normal.
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- Follow Up —
If your trip is within 2 weeks
Life-or-death emergencies (within 72 hours) qualify for emergency service. Urgent travel within 14 days: call 877-487-2778 to try to book an in-person appointment at a passport agency — you must have proof of travel. Otherwise, expedited-by-mail is the fastest routine option.
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- Receive 10 min
Check the new passport when it arrives
Verify the name, date of birth, and expiration date immediately. Adults get 10-year passports. Sign it in ink, fill the emergency contact page, and note that many countries require 6 months of validity beyond your travel dates — renew when you hit the 9-year mark to stay safe.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get my old passport back?
Yes — it is returned with your new one, usually canceled (holes punched or stamped). Keep it: it proves your travel history and is backup evidence of citizenship for naturalizationBecoming a US citizen by application — The process a green card holder goes through to become a US citizen — application, interview, test, and oath.Click for official info ↗ records and some visa applications.
Can I renew online instead of by mail?
The State Department has an online renewal pilot for eligible adults renewing a regular tourist passport — check travel.state.gov for current availability. Eligibility mirrors the DS-82US Passport Renewal Application — The form for renewing a passport by mail. Only for adults whose current passport is undamaged and issued within the last 15 years.Click for official info ↗ mail rules, and you upload a digital photo and pay by card.
My passport expired years ago. Can I still renew by mail?
Only if it expired within the last 5 years and was issued when you were 16+. Expired longer than that, or issued as a minor, means applying in person with DS-11US Passport Application — The form for first-time passports, minors, and anyone not eligible to renew by mail. Filed in person.Click for official info ↗ — full first-time process with an acceptance facility appointment.
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