This passport renewal guide compares online renewal and mail-in renewal using Form DS-82. Routine processing currently takes 4 to 6 weeks, not including mailing time. If you are traveling sooner, use the timeline guide below to choose a faster renewal option.
Urgent government appointments are limited and require travel. If you need a passport in less than 14 days and can't get to an agency, a private courier may be worth considering for fast help.
Table of Contents
- Compare Online and Mail-In Renewal
- Online Passport Renewal Summary
- Mail-In Passport Renewal Instructions
- Passport Renewal FAQs
Renewal Online vs. Renewal by Mail At a Glance
Before you begin, use this table to decide which method is right for you.
Note: Online renewal is strictly for routine service.
| Your Situation | Renewal Online | Renewal by Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Age | 25 years or older | 16 years or older |
| Passport Date | Expiring within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago | Issued within last 15 years |
| Name Change? | No (Must match exactly) | Yes (With legal doc) |
| Travel Plans | No travel for 6+ weeks | No specific restriction |
| Residency | U.S. States/Territories only | Worldwide (with exceptions) |
| Passport Condition | Undamaged & in possession | Undamaged & submitted |
| Photo | Digital Upload | Physical Photo (Stapled) |
| Payment | Credit/Debit Card | Check/Money Order |
| Processing | Routine Service Only | Routine or Expedited |
Our Verdict: Which should you choose?
Choose Online Renewal if: You meet the State Department's stricter online eligibility rules, have a compliant digital photo ready, and are not traveling internationally for at least 6 weeks. See the complete online passport renewal guide before starting.
Choose Mail-In (DS-82) if: You need routine or expedited processing, have a name change, want to mail a physical application, or want the renewal method that works for more situations.
Choose to Apply at a Regional Agency if: You need to renew your passport urgently in less than two weeks. You can either submit the application yourself or use a registered passport courier service to help with agency submission logistics.
Option #1: Online Passport Renewal Summary
Online passport renewal is available for eligible adults with routine timelines and simple renewals. It can be convenient, but it is not the same as mail-in renewal: online renewal cannot be expedited, cannot be used for every passport change, and must be completed by the applicant through the State Department's online system.
Need online renewal instructions?
For complete online eligibility rules, the official portal link, digital photo tips, and step-by-step instructions, use our dedicated online passport renewal guide.
If you need expedited service, have international travel within 6 weeks, need a name change, or do not meet the online renewal rules, continue with the mail-in renewal instructions below or review your expedited renewal options.
Option #2: Renewing Your Passport by Mail
If you do not qualify for online passport renewal, or if you need Expedited Service, you must renew by mail. This is the traditional method using Form DS-82.
Follow the steps below to apply for a passport renewal by mail:
- Complete Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail.
- Print, sign, and date the form.
- Have a new passport photo taken.
- Calculate payment amount.
- Place signed Form DS-82, most recent passport photo, previously-issued passport, and fees payment in an envelope.
- Include a legal name change document, if applicable.
- Mail the envelope to the appropriate address on the application form.
All of these steps are explained in greater detail below.
Complete U.S. Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82
The first step to renew a passport by mail is to complete the appropriate application form.
You can fill out the form online and print it, or print a blank PDF and fill it out by hand.
Application for Passport Renewal Online (Form Filler Tool)
Print, Sign, and Date Form DS-82
After completing the United States passport renewal application with the State Department's Form Filler, print it single-sided on 8.5 x 11 inch letter-size paper in portrait orientation. Make sure the application fills the entire page and is clear and readable. Do not add information or corrections by hand after printing. Only handwrite your original signature and date.
Download Passport Renewal Form (PDF)
Below is our video tutorial that walks you through how to complete form DS-82 step by step.
If you instead print a blank DS-82 and complete it by hand, use black ink and write legibly. If you make an error, start with a new form rather than crossing out information or using white-out.
Have a New Passport Photo Taken
The photo submitted must be no more than 6 months old. Unacceptable passport photos are one of the leading causes of delays.
Make sure your passport photo is 2 inches by 2 inches and in color with a white background. Do not use the same photo from your old passport.
You should affix the photo to the application as per the instructions on the form. Staple it to the form using four vertical staples, one in each corner.
Calculate the Passport Renewal Fee
The cost to renew a passport includes mandatory fees plus any options fees if you choose extra services:
- The base passport renewal price for a standard book is $130 for routine service.
- The renewal fee for a passport card with routine processing costs only $30.
Optional fees:
- Expedited processing is $60. This expedites the processing time to 2 to 3 weeks.
- You can request 24-48 hour delivery of your new passport via USPS Priority Mail Express for an additional fee of $22.05 .
Write a check or money order payable to "U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE." The full name and date of birth of the applicant must be typed or printed on the front. Do not send cash or pay by credit card for mail-in renewals.
Place Signed Form DS-82 and Other Required Documents in an Envelope
Use an envelope large enough that you don't have to fold the application and supporting documents. A Tyvek envelope is recommended to protect the enclosed items.
Place the completed and signed DS-82 form, passport photo, required documents, your most recent passport, and your check or money order into the envelope.
You must submit your most recent passport book and/or passport card. It will be canceled and returned to you, usually in a separate mailing.
Include Legal Name Change Document, if Applicable
If you are applying in a different name than the one that is in your previously-issued passport, you are required to submit proof of a legal name change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order). It must be an original or certified copy.
Mail Envelope to the Correct Address
The address depends on where you live and whether you are paying for expedited service.
Standard Service (If you live in CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX):
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155
Standard Service (If you live in any other state or Canada):
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
Address for Expedited Service (All States):
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
If choosing expedited service, write "Expedite" on the outside of the mailing envelope.
Eligibility for U.S. Passport Renewal (Mail-In Specifics)
To renew by mail, your most recent passport must meet all of the following requirements:
- Issued within the past 15 years: If it's older, you must apply for a new passport.
- Undamaged: Significant damage (water damage, torn pages) requires a new application in person.
- Submitted with application: You must have the physical passport to mail in.
- Issued at age 16 or older: Child passports valid for 5 years cannot be renewed.
- Current Name: Or you can provide legal name change documentation.
If you do not meet these criteria, you cannot apply by mail. You need to submit Form DS-11 in person.
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Passport Renewal FAQs
Have questions about renewing a U.S. passport? We've collected the questions we hear most often—drawn from two decades of conversations with readers of the U.S. Passport Service Guide.
Eligibility & Basics
You may use Form DS-82 if your most-recent U.S. passport was issued less than 15 years ago, was issued when you were age 16 or older, is undamaged, and is submitted with your application. If any of those conditions are missing, apply in person with DS-11.
Yes. Eligible adults can renew online through the State Department's online renewal system, but online renewal is for routine service only and has stricter rules than mail-in renewal. For full eligibility rules, photo requirements, and step-by-step instructions, see our online passport renewal guide.
No. A damaged passport (e.g. water damage, torn pages, holes, or unofficial markings) is considered damaged and ineligible for renewal. You must apply in person with DS-11.
Children under 16 cannot renew by mail. They must appear in person with both parents and apply with DS-11. The new passport is valid for five years.
See Child Passport Information - How to Get a Passport for a Minor Age 15 or Younger for more information.
Renew about nine months before expiration. That avoids the six-month-validity rule many countries enforce and cushions against processing slow-downs. If your book still meets DS-82 rules, you can renew anytime.
If you owe $2,500 or more in past-due child support, the State Department will deny your passport until your state child-support arrears are paid and the agency clears you.
Yes. Mail your DS-82, most-recent passport, and an original or certified name-change document (marriage certificate, court order, etc.).
If you were ever issued an SSN you must provide it. If you have never been issued one, write 000-00-0000 on DS-82 and attach a signed statement to that effect.
You can renew by mail for up to 15 years after the issue date (that is, up to 5 years after it expires), provided the passport meets all other Form DS-82 requirements.
Forms & Documents Needed
No—your qualifying adult passport is all the citizenship evidence you need for DS-82. Include a birth certificate only if you no longer meet renewal requirements or you're also changing your name.
Absolutely—check the "Large Book (Non-Standard)" box on DS-82. There is no extra fee.
No. Mail-in renewals accept only personal or certified checks and money orders payable to "U.S. Department of State." Online renewals, however, do accept credit/debit cards for payment of fees.
Staple the photo with four vertical staples, one in each corner inside the guide marks. Do not use glue or tape. (Note: For online renewals, you upload a digital photo instead).
Mailing & Processing
Passports don't list your address, so there's nothing to update. If your mailing address changes while an application is in progress, call the National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778).
Yes, provided the book meets every DS-82 requirement: issued within the last 15 years, issued at age 16 +, undamaged, and available to submit with your application.
Mark the outer envelope "EXPEDITE," add $60 to your payment, and send via USPS Priority Mail Express. Processing goal: 2 to 3 weeks plus mailing. If you need it even faster, consider a private passport expediting service registered with the U.S. Department of State.
See Expedite Passport Renewal - Forms, Fees & Processing Times for more information.
Yes—add the $22.05 "1-2-Day Delivery" option on DS-82 and include the additional fee in your check or money order.
It depends on how you applied:
- If you applied by Mail: Go to the U.S. Passport Application Status page. It takes about 2 weeks after mailing for your status to appear.
- If you applied online: Follow the status instructions in your online passport renewal guide and log in to your MyTravelGov account. Your application will not show up on the standard status checker mentioned above.
See Tracking Your Passport Status Updates: A Step-By-Step Guide for details.
Routine service is currently estimating 4 to 6 weeks door-to-door, while expedited (add $60) aims for 2 to 3 weeks. Mailing time can add several days each way. If you have travel within two months—or need a foreign visa sooner—pay for expedited or use a registered expediter.
Your supporting documents are returned separately from the new passport—usually within 1-2 weeks via USPS First-Class Mail. If it's been longer, call the National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778).
First, verify the data. If correct, sign the book, fill in the emergency-contact page in pencil, make copies of the ID page, and store the passport in a safe place.
If there are any errors, apply for passport corrections ASAP.
Set a calendar reminder nine months before it expires so you renew on time.
Yes—you will get your passport back. The State Department cancels and mails it back (often in a separate envelope). Keep it as a record; if it contains an unexpired visa, travel with both passports. Every new passport comes with a new number.
Compare Your Fast Passport Options
If routine service is too slow, you may need an agency appointment or help from a registered courier. Compare your options before you decide.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026.
