Passport Renewals

Passport renewals are the most common and easiest passport procedure available. The paperwork is pretty minimal and while checks are performed, a lot of the initial verifications have already been done by the State Dept and therefore the process is less complicated.

One very important note: Children’s passports (issue when the applicant is less than 16 years old and only valid for five years) CANNOT be renewed. For child safety and security reasons, children must go through the new child passport application process each time and adults 16 or older must go through the new adult passport process if they have never been issued an adult passport.

For adults looking to renew their passport, let’s just go over the basic qualifications for a passport renewal to make sure you are in the right place.

Children Under 16
We’ve already determined that these applicants must apply for a new child passport.

Adults Who Have Never Had an Adult Passport
We’ve already determined that these applicants must apply for a new adult passport.

Adults Who Have Been Issued an Adult Passport (valid for 10 years)

1. Ok, your passport was valid for 10 years. Was it issue more than 15 years ago? If it was, then your passport no longer qualifies for renewal and you should review the New Passport Application process.
2. Has your name been changed legally? Marriage, divorce or other legal name changes must follow a slightly different set of requirements, please visit the passport name change page for details.
3. Is the passport damaged? Did the dog eat it (you’d be surprised how many times that actually happens in real life)? Did it take a spin through the washing machine (again, you’d be surprised)? We all get a little wear and tear just like our wallets and our cell phones, but if your passport is noticeably damaged, peeling apart or has pages falling out of it, then we need to go down a spate path, check out the Lost, Stolen or Damaged Passports page for more information.
4. So we have a passport (in your possession) that was valid for 10 years, is either still valid or has been expired for less than five years, your legal name has not changed and the passport is not damaged – sounds like you’re on the right page, please move to the next section to learn how to renew your passport.

US Passport Renewal

Here are the requirements for renewing your passport:

1. Current Passport
   Applicant must submit their current valid, or recently expired, passport (as well as valid or recently expired US passport card if they have one) in order to renew. The old passport will be returned marked "Cancelled" by the US State Department (and valid passport card if applicable).
   
   
2. Passport Photos
   Applicant must submit one (1) color, passport style photograph. Applicant may not wear eye glasses. Photo may be obtained at many post offices, Kinko’s, Mailboxes Etc or similar locations.
   
   
3. Proof of Travel
   If applicant is traveling in the near future, it is recommended they submit a computer-generated itinerary from a travel agency or online booking tool (such as an e-confirmation) showing departure from the U.S. If using a passport expediting service this will likely be required due to the regulations they have to follow with the State Dept.
   
   
4. Passport Application (DS-82)
   Applicant must submit one completed passport application form (Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82). This can be done using the US State Departments online passport “wizard” or you may print and complete by hand (black or blue ink only). Note that passport expediting companies are required to use applications completed using the online wizard program and will generally not accept hand written applications.
   
   
5. Personal Letter
   Although not technically required, if applicant is renewing their passport more than a few years in advance of its expiration, it is recommended to include a personal letter explaining the reason for the early passport renewal. Common reasons for early passport renewals may be few or no blank pages left for visas, outdated passport photo due to plastic surgery, extreme weight loss/gain, etc.
   
   
6. Government Fees Passport renewal fees aren’t too complicated. What is important to understand is that if the payment is incorrect it will delay the new passport issuance – even if you overpay.

Here are some common breakdowns:

Passport Renewal in 6-8 Weeks
$110.00 Passport Renewal Book
$ 15.45 Overnight Return Shipping (with tracking)
$125.45 TOTAL

Passport Renewal in 2-3 Weeks
$110.00 Passport Renewal Book
$ 60.00 Passport Renewal Expedite
$ 15.45 Overnight Return Shipping (with tracking)
$185.45 TOTAL

Passport Renewal in 6-8 Weeks
$110.00 Passport Renewal Book
$ 30.00 Adult Passport Card (in conjunction with passport renewal)
$ 15.45 Overnight Return Shipping (with tracking)
$155.45 TOTAL

Passport Renewal in 2-3 Weeks
$110.00 Passport Renewal Book
$ 30.00 Adult Passport Card (in conjunction with passport renewal)
$ 60.00 Passport Renewal Expedite
$ 15.45 Overnight Return Shipping (with tracking)
$215.45 TOTAL

The State Department also has a neat little new passport fee calculator you can use if math is not your forte.

The “TOTAL” is the amount that the check or money order made payable to the State Dept will be for. If paying by check, starter checks are not acceptable. Indicate the applicants name and DOB in the memo line.

Ok, I’ve Got All My Passport Renewal Stuff Together. Now What?

Now we need to mail the application to the State Dept (unless you are using a private passport expediting company in which case you will send to that company). Based on where you live and which service you are applying for, there are a few possible mailing addresses below. Note that these are ALL PO Boxes, so you cannot use FedEx, UPS or any other shipping than USPS. It is also HIGHLY recommended you pay additional to have a trackable package. Choose the address that bests fits your needs:

Standard 6-8 Week Passport Renewals, Residents of CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX:

National Passport Processing Center
Passport Renewal
Post Office Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155

Standard 6-8 Week Passport Renewals, Residents of all states OTHER THAN CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX:

National Passport Processing Center
Passport Renewal
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

Expedited 2-3 Week Passport Renewals (residents of all states paying the additional $60 expedite fee):

Write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the mailing envelope in marker:

National Passport Processing Center
Passport Renewal
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

Get Your Renewed Passport

That’s it! In one day to eight weeks (depending on service selection) you’ll have your renewed passport in hand. As long as your old passport is in decent condition, you will get that back too. Sometimes the old passport and passport card (if you requested one) will show up in separate mailings, all usually within a week of each other.