Free Guide to Passport Renewal Steps

Understanding Renewal Application Requirements

Before you begin the passport renewal process, gathering the correct documents and forms is the foundation of a smooth submission. The U.S. State Department requires specific paperwork depending on whether you're renewing by mail or in person, and understanding these requirements upfront saves time and prevents delays.

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The primary form for most renewals is the Application for a U.S. Passport (Form DS-11) if renewing in person, or Form DS-82 if renewing by mail. Form DS-82 is specifically designed for standard renewals where your passport is in good condition and was issued when you were 16 or older. If your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you'll need Form DS-11, which requires an in-person appearance at a passport acceptance facility. These forms are available on the State Department website and can be printed at home or obtained at acceptance facilities.

Regarding identity documentation, you must provide proof of citizenship and identity. Your current passport serves as proof of citizenship for renewal purposes. For identity verification, you can use a driver's license, state ID card, or military ID. If you don't have one of these government-issued IDs, alternative documents like school IDs, Social Security cards, or birth certificates may be considered, though requirements vary by location.

Photography requirements are specific and sometimes trip up applicants. A new passport photo must be 2x2 inches in size, taken within the last six months, with a white or off-white background. You should be facing the camera directly with a neutral expression and both eyes open. Many passport acceptance facilities offer photo services on-site, though you can also have photos taken at drugstores or professional photographers. Some CVS and Walgreens locations provide passport photos for approximately $15 to $20.

If you're renewing by mail, you'll also need to submit your current passport itself. The State Department will retain it, so you won't receive it back. Travel plans should account for this timing. Additionally, you'll need to include payment—either a personal check or money order made payable to "U.S. Department of State." Credit cards and cash are not accepted for mail submissions, though in-person renewals may offer additional payment options depending on the facility.

Practical takeaway: Create a checklist before gathering documents: current passport, government-issued ID, new passport photo, completed form, and payment. Verify the specific form required for your situation—mail renewal versus in-person—before printing anything.

Processing Timelines and Associated Costs

Understanding how long your passport renewal takes and what you'll pay helps you plan travel and budget accordingly. Processing times vary significantly based on the method you choose and current demand at the State Department.

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For routine mail renewal, the State Department currently estimates 6 to 8 weeks for processing. This timeframe begins when your application is received and processed, not when you mail it. If you're using standard mail delivery to send your renewal packet, add several days on each end—roughly 3 to 5 business days for your application to reach the processing center, and another 3 to 5 business days for the returned passport to reach you. This means total elapsed time from mailing to receiving your renewed passport could range from 7 to 10 weeks under normal circumstances. However, during peak travel seasons (typically spring and summer), processing times can extend to 10 to 12 weeks or longer.

In-person renewal at a passport acceptance facility typically processes faster. Many facilities can issue a passport the same day or within one to two business days if you apply in person with all required documents. This is particularly useful if you have a trip scheduled soon. The trade-off is that you must travel to a facility and wait, sometimes for several hours depending on facility capacity.

Expedited processing is available for an additional fee. Expedited service typically reduces processing time to 2 to 3 weeks when combined with mail submission. This service costs an extra $60 on top of the regular renewal fee. You'll need to submit an expedited request form and use expedited mail services (like Priority Mail Express) to send your application and receive your passport back, which adds additional postage costs—typically $50 to $70 for round-trip expedited shipping.

The base renewal fee for a standard adult passport book is $130. If you need a passport card (the smaller, wallet-sized version valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean), that costs an additional $35, for a combined total of $165. Passport books for minors (under 16) cost $100, and passport cards for minors cost $20. These fees do not include the execution fee, which is $35 for adults renewing by mail and $0 for in-person renewals at federal facilities (though state acceptance facilities may charge differently).

Payment methods depend on your submission method. For mail renewals, you must send a personal check or money order. For in-person renewals, many federal facilities accept cash, checks, debit cards, and credit cards, though state and local acceptance facilities vary in their accepted payment methods. Always contact your specific facility to confirm payment options before your visit.

Practical takeaway: If you're renewing by mail without expediting and have a trip in the next 8 weeks, plan to visit an acceptance facility in person instead. If time-sensitive travel is on your calendar beyond 10 weeks, standard mail renewal is cost-effective, but consider expedited service if you're within the 2 to 10-week window.

Locating and Using Passport Acceptance Facilities

Knowing where you can submit your renewal application makes the process accessible and straightforward. The U.S. State Department partners with thousands of facilities nationwide to accept passport applications and renewals, making it likely there's a location near you.

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Federal passport acceptance facilities are found in every state, typically located at U.S. passport agencies, federal courthouses, and some federal office buildings. These facilities are staffed by State Department personnel and offer full services including same-day or next-day issuance for in-person renewals. To find a federal facility, visit the State Department's facility locator at travel.state.gov, where you can search by zip code or city. Federal facilities often have limited hours—many operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some offering extended hours on certain days. Many require appointments, which you can schedule online or by phone. Some locations accept walk-ins, but wait times can be substantial, sometimes exceeding two to three hours.

State and local passport acceptance facilities include courthouses, post offices, town halls, and public libraries. These locations accept applications but send them to federal processing centers, so renewals through these facilities take the standard 6 to 8 weeks or longer. Post offices are among the most convenient options for many people—over 7,000 post offices across the country provide passport services. You can find participating post offices through USPS's location finder on usps.com. Libraries and government offices in many municipalities also accept renewals; contacting your local town or city clerk's office can direct you to nearby options.

The distinction between renewal by mail and renewal at a facility matters for timing. When you renew by mail, you send your application and current passport directly to the processing center. This works only for standard renewals where your passport is undamaged and was issued at age 16 or older. You'll need the address of the correct processing center, which depends on your state and region. The State Department website lists all regional processing centers and their mailing addresses. Using the correct address is crucial—sending your application to the wrong location delays processing.

For in-person renewals at federal facilities, bring all required documents plus your Social Security number and date of birth. The staff will verify your paperwork, take your photo if needed, and process your payment on-site. You may walk out with a temporary passport receipt the same day, allowing you to travel on an international flight even before your physical passport arrives (typically within 1 to 2 weeks for in-person submissions). State and local facilities typically accept your documents and paperwork but will forward everything to a federal processing center, with timelines matching standard mail renewal.

Practical takeaway: Use the State Department facility locator to identify the three closest options to your home or workplace. Note their hours, whether appointments are required, and their typical processing times. If traveling within 8 weeks, plan to visit a federal facility in person; if traveling beyond 8 weeks, mail renewal or a state facility saves time off your schedule.