How to Renew Passports

All U.S. citizens traveling outside the U.S. including to Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas will require a passport as of June 1, 2009. If you've had a passport, you may be eligible to renew your passport rather than apply for a new one. To be able to renew your passport by mail, the passport must be undamaged and able to be sent with your application. It must be issued to a person over 16 years old, within 15 years from the date of issue in the current name of the applicant or with supporting legal documentation of a name change.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Federal form DS-82, 2 identical, color passport photos Passport fees Current passport Padded envelope Postage stamps
Federal form DS-82,
2 identical, color passport photos
Passport fees
Current passport
Padded envelope
Postage stamps

Step 1

Fill out the DS-82 application form completely according to the instructions on the form. This is the only officially accepted form for renewing a passport by mail. You may either fill out the form online and print it using only black ink, or print a blank form and complete it by hand. Sign and date the form on page one.

Step 2

Attach the photos as directed by the form. Attach one of the photos with staples along the edges of the picture. Do not attach the second photo, but enclose it in the envelope with the rest of your application materials.

Step 3

Double check the fees at the U.S. Passport website and write a check for the required amount to the "Department of the State." Write your full name and date of birth on the check. This fee is non-refundable. If you are applying for both a renewal passport and a passport card, you may write one check for both amounts together. If you are requesting "expedited" service, include those fees in the check total as well.

Step 4

Use the address given on the DS-82 form to send the envelope either to regular processing or expedited processing. Place all documents, fees and your application, including your former passport and certified copies of name-change documents, if necessary, into a padded envelope. This is recommended to protect your documents as they travel.

Step 5

Mail your passport application using a secure, traceable service such as U.S.P.S. insured and delivery confirmation mail, UPS or FedEx, attaching sufficient postage to cover the extra weight of the envelope.

Tips & Warnings

It is possible to apply in person for passports at U.S. Post Offices that have a passport agency. Forms are available from the USPS passport representative. Special conditions, such as needing a passport within two weeks for international travel or needing it within four weeks for a travel visa, can be accommodated only in person at Regional Passport Agencies. Contact the National Passport Information Center at (877) 4-USA-PPT (877-487-2778) to make an appointment.

It is possible to apply in person for passports at U.S. Post Offices that have a passport agency. Forms are available from the USPS passport representative.

Special conditions, such as needing a passport within two weeks for international travel or needing it within four weeks for a travel visa, can be accommodated only in person at Regional Passport Agencies. Contact the National Passport Information Center at (877) 4-USA-PPT (877-487-2778) to make an appointment.

Passport application processing takes time, so allow at least eight weeks before a date of travel to receive your passport when you renew by mail.

Resources

Passport Photos at Walgreens

Article Written By Contributing Writer

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