A US passport is valid for 10 years. To renew it, you will need your old passport, the DS-82 form, which you can obtain from the State Department, and a recent passport photo. There will also be a sum to pay. Renewals are normally requested by post, but if you have a planned trip that you cannot postpone, you should go to the Regional Passport Agency.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Make sure you have all the necessary documents for the renewal
Step 1. Search for the old passport
Make sure it is not damaged, you will have to ship it with the rest of the modules. It will be returned to you as soon as your new passport is issued.
- Make sure the old passport was not issued more than 15 years ago. Also check your age at the time of release: if you were 16 or older you shouldn't have any problems with renewal.
- Check the name in your passport. To complete the renewal by post, your name must be exactly the one on your passport. If it is different, be prepared to provide a legal and documented explanation of the change.
Step 2. Fill out the DS-82 form
You can find it online at www.travel.state.gov.
- There will be 4 pages of explanations and 2 that you will need to fill in and mail along with the rest of the documents.
- Print the form and fill it out, or fill it out directly online and print it once you're done.
Step 3. Send a recent passport photo
The photo should measure 5.08cm by 5.08cm.
Visit a photographer. There are those who try to take their own passport photo at home, but the Passport Agency requires a photo that is well centered, proportionate and without any kind of imperfection. Find a specialized shop, it will not be difficult
Step 4. Pay the renewal fee
In 2013, the cost of renewing the passport was $ 110. Check that the sum is correct and fill out a check payable to the US State Department.
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Send it all by post
Step 1. Put the old passport and the rest of the documentation in an envelope
Step 2. Ship everything with a courier, or in any case make sure you can track the shipment to know when and if the documents have been delivered
This way of proceeding, which ensures that the documents do not get lost along the way, is also the one recommended by the State Department.
- You can send via the post office and send a registered letter, or ask a courier, such as UPS, to track the shipment and verify that the delivery has taken place.
- Remember that you will have to send the documents to a post office box, make sure that the shipping service you choose has no problems in doing so.
Step 3. Send the form and documents to this address, if the required procedure is the standard one:
National Passport Processing Center, P. O. Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.
If you choose a standard procedure, it usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to receive your passport
Step 4. If the procedure is urgent, send the form and documents to this address:
National Passport Processing Center, P. O. Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955.
In this case you will have to incur additional expenses but you will receive the passport in 2 or 3 weeks
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Renew the Passport in Person
Step 1. Make an appointment at the Regional Passport Agency, if you have to travel within 2 weeks and you need to renew your passport
Step 2. Call 1-877-487-2778 or send an email to [email protected] to find out how to renew your passport in person and request an appointment
Step 3. Find the Regional Passport Agency office closest to you
There are 25 scattered throughout the United States, usually in big cities like Miami, Detroit and Los Angeles but also in towns like Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Step 4. Make sure you have all the necessary documents and forms when you go to the appointment
You will also need to be ready to present the documents regarding the trip you are about to make. You can bring airline tickets, hotel booking confirmation or cruise documents, depending on the type of trip
Advice
- Renew a minor's passport every 5 years. Children aged 15 or under must renew their passport earlier than adults.
- If you have already sent the documents, you can check how far the process is. To do this, go to the website www.travel.state.gov and enter your details.
