How to renew a U.S. passport

Applying for a renewal of a passport renewal is easier than applying for a new one since there are fewer documents to submit. Typically, you can send the application by mail since you are no longer required to appear in person.

Form DS-82 is the official passport renewal application form. It has 6 pages, with the first 4 pages containing the instructions and important information about the renewal process. The last 2 pages are the ones you have to fill up. You can fill it up online or offline in black ink. Download the Form DS-82 from the U.S. Passport Service website. In an envelope, enclose the accomplished Form DS-82 along with the following supporting documents: your most recent passport book and/or passport card; a certified copy of your marriage contract or court order if your name has changed; one recent passport-size photo; and your payment for the applicable fee in the form of a personal check or money order payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”

Address the package to be mailed to: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155. The passport agency strongly recommends that the passport application and personal documents be mailed in an envelope large enough to fit the all the contents without folding.

Generally, you can submit your passport renewal application by mail if your latest-issued passport meets all the following conditions: it is undamaged and can be submitted with your application; it was issued when you were age 16 or older; it was issued within the last 15 years; and, it was issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change with the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate, court order or any other government-issued document proving that your legal name has changed. Those who do not meet any of the conditions cannot apply apply for passport renewal by mail and must instead submit their application and supporting papers in person at any of the state department’s authorized application acceptance facility.

For those whose departure date is within 30 days, they can opt to avail of the state department’s expedited service by mail in up to three weeks. Alternatively, they can submit the renewal form and supporting documents in person at an authorized passport service center to avail of the faster service. In either case, they must on top of the regular renewal fee be willing to pay an additional charge for the cost of the extra service. If through mail, the envelope containing the renewal application and supporting documents must be addressed instead to : National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955. On the outside of the envelope, the applicant must also clearly write the word “EXPEDITE.”

The state department further recommends using a two-way overnight delivery system when mailing. Do not submit any prepaid return mailing envelopes or mailing stamps. Expect the newly issued passport book to be delivered via “Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation,” unless you’ve paid for overnight delivery return service at the time of application. Expect the newly issued passport card to be delivered via “First Class Mail” only since overnight delivery service is not available for passport cards.