In my experience, passport renewal is MUCH easier than getting your first passport.
One of my friends just renewed his, and it took a few weeks, rather than a few months.
Don't muck the whole thing up!
DO NOT use FedEx, UPS, DHL or your favorite Uber driver to send/deliver your passport renewal package. It MUST be sent via USPS at a US post office or Canada Post if you live in Canada.
Use this State Department website here to help you determine whether you can renew your passport by mail. Here is what they require:
- You can submit the passport along with the application.
- The passport is is not ripped, torn, water damaged, has all of the pages, etc.
- It has not been reported lost or stolen.
- It was issued when you were at least 16 years old.
- It is not more than 15 years old. (Issued after 2009)
- It has your current legal name.
- It was issued for ten years, like normal passports.
The State Dept. has the same wizard to make filling in the form easier.
Less steps, but each is equally important:
Renewing your passport is less cumbersome than applying for your first passport, but the State Dept. still requires everything to be PERFECT. Follow all of the directions to a T, and double (and even triple) check your application before you submit it--especially if you will be travelling soon!
Here are the 10 major steps to renewing your passport (adults).
- Fill out the DS-82 form. There is a wizard to help you.
- Provide your old US Passport that has expired.
- Include name-change documents (if your legal name has changed)
- Provide a passport photo--and be sure to follow ALL the directions!
- Pay the man. The total fees for normal processing speed are $130 for a book, and $30 for a card. Expedited applications are an extra $60.
**YOU HAVE TO PAY BY CHECK OR WITH A MONEY ORDER.
**Issue the check or money order to the U.S. Department of State.
**Write the applicant's full name + date of birth on the check or money order. - Mail in your application.
If you live in California, Texas, Florida, Minnesota, New York, or Illinois mail it to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155
If you live in any other state or Canada, mail it to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
If you want your passport expedited, mail it to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
**Note the different PO Box and last 4 of the Zip Code**
**Only use USPS to send your passport renewal package. All other forms of delivery will be rejected, and your application will be returned to you. This can throw a major wrench in your plans, especially if you are planning to travel soon.
Fast just aint fast enough
For the FASTEST service, include an extra $19.53 for express mail postage in the check or money order. Do NOT send a prepaid envelope!
Pro tip
If you have Global Entry, make sure you update your account with your new passport number once it comes back....otherwise it will not work!
Best of luck renewing it and remember--it is a pain, but it will be totally worth it!