How to Renew a U.S. Passport Online or by Mail
Eligible adults can renew a U.S. passport online for routine service or by mail with Form DS-82, while children, lost or badly damaged passports and many older passports require an in-person application.
Timeline
- Before booking travel: Check the current State Department processing and mailing estimates.
- Before applying: Choose online, mail or in-person service based on eligibility and travel timing.
- After applying: Track status and watch for a request for missing information or a replacement photo.
U.S. passport renewal begins with eligibility, not with choosing a form. The State Department says many adults may renew online or by mail, while a passport for a child under 16 cannot be renewed. A person generally must apply in person if the prior passport was lost or stolen, badly damaged, issued more than 15 years ago, or issued before age 16. [1][2]
Online renewal is available only to eligible U.S. citizens seeking routine service from within the United States. The State Department warns that its official online renewal portal is the only authorized site that can accept and submit an application. Commercial sites cannot submit the renewal for the applicant and may charge extra while collecting sensitive identity information. [2]
Mail renewal uses Form DS-82. The applicant must be able to submit the most recent passport, which must be undamaged except for normal wear, issued within the prior 15 years, issued when the holder was at least 16 and issued in the current name or supported by a certified name-change document. If those conditions are not met, the applicant uses the in-person process instead. [1][3]
A mail package normally includes the signed form, the most recent passport, one compliant photograph, the required fee and any certified name-change document. The State Department says applicants mail DS-82 themselves using the specified postal address; a passport acceptance facility does not review the renewal or charge the execution fee used for an in-person DS-11 application. [1]
Processing time is only one part of the calendar. The State Department separates the time an application spends at a passport agency from the time needed for the application to arrive and the completed passport to return. Current estimates can change with demand, so travelers should check the official processing-time page before booking and should not rely on a number copied months earlier. [4]
Urgent travel uses a different path. Travelers who are too close to departure for the ordinary renewal timeline may need an appointment at a passport agency and proof of imminent international travel. Online renewal is for routine service, while mail renewal may offer expedited processing under current rules. Availability and fees should be confirmed on the official site at the time of application. [3][4]
After submission, applicants can track status and should respond promptly to official requests for missing information. Common mail problems include an unsigned form, an unacceptable photo, a missing prior passport or incorrect fees. Supporting documents and the new passport may arrive in separate mailings, so the old passport's absence from the new passport envelope does not necessarily mean it was lost. [1][5]
Sources
- U.S. Department of State — Renew Your Passport by Mail
- U.S. Department of State — Renew Your Passport Online
- U.S. Department of State — Where to Apply for a U.S. Passport
- U.S. Department of State — Get Your Processing Time
- U.S. Department of State — Respond to a Letter or Email