How to renew a U.S. passport

Eligibility for mail renewal

You can renew by mail using Form DS-82 only if all of the following are true:

• Your most recent U.S. passport is in your possession
• It was issued when you were age 16 or older — and it was valid for 10 years
• It was issued within the last 15 years
• It is not damaged beyond normal wear and tear
• It has never been reported lost or stolen
• Your name has not changed, OR you have a certified copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order documenting the change

All six conditions must be met — missing any one of them means you must apply in person using Form DS-11 instead.

One thing catches many applicants off guard: a passport that has expired is still eligible for mail renewal, as long as it expired less than 15 years after it was issued. The 15-year window runs from the date of issuance, not from today. A passport that expired two years ago is not disqualifying. A passport issued 16 years ago is — even if it somehow still hasn't expired.

Similarly, a passport expiring in three weeks is still eligible for mail renewal if it meets the other criteria. "About to expire" is not the same as "ineligible." What matters is whether it was issued within the past 15 years and at age 16 or older. That said, if you need your passport in less than 3 weeks, mail service is too slow regardless of eligibility — you'll need a regional agency appointment.

Renewing by mail with Form DS-82

Once you confirm you meet the eligibility requirements, renewing by mail is straightforward. Unlike the first-time DS-11 application, DS-82 does not require an in-person appearance or a witness — you sign the form yourself before mailing it. This is one of the few federal forms where that is permitted, and it surprises many applicants accustomed to the DS-11 process.

1. Download and complete Form DS-82 — Use the Form Filler tool at pptform.state.gov to fill out the form on a computer and minimize errors. Print it single-sided; double-sided forms are rejected. Sign and date the form yourself before mailing. A larger passport book (more visa pages) is available at no extra cost — check the "large book" box if you travel frequently.
2. Include your most recent passport — You must submit the passport you are renewing. The State Department will return it by separate First Class mailing, typically within two weeks of issuing your new passport. If you have both a passport book and card and are renewing both, submit both.
3. Include a new passport photo — 2x2 inches, color, white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months. Staple the photo to the form at the four corners as close to the outer edges as possible. Do not bend the photo.
4. Include name change documentation if applicable — If your name differs from the one on your current passport, include a certified copy of the legal name change document: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The State Department returns this document separately after processing.
5. Prepare your payment — Pay by personal check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State." Write the applicant's full name and date of birth on the memo line. Do not send cash. Fees: $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card, $160 for both.
6. Add expedited service if needed — For 2–3 week processing, add $60 to your check (total $190 for a book). Write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope. Expedited and routine applications go to different mailing addresses — see Step 7.
7. Optionally add Priority Mail Express return delivery — For 1–3 day return shipping of your completed passport, add $22.05 to your check. Not available on passport card-only applications.
8. Mail to the correct address — For routine service, if you live in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, or Texas, mail to: National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 640155, Irving, TX 75064-0155. All other states: National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155. For expedited service (from any state): National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955. Use USPS to mail your application.

No execution fee applies to mail renewals. The $35 execution fee is charged only when you appear in person at an acceptance facility, where an agent witnesses your signature. Since DS-82 requires no witness, there is no facility and no facility fee.

Online passport renewal

The State Department offers online passport renewal at opr.travel.state.gov for eligible applicants seeking routine service. The program is open and available as of May 2026. Online renewal is not available for expedited service — if your travel date is within 6 weeks, renew by mail with expedited service or book a regional agency appointment.

Eligibility for online renewal is narrower than for mail renewal. You qualify only if all of the following are true:

• You are age 25 or older
• The passport you are renewing was valid for 10 years and is either expiring within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago
• You are not changing your name or any other personal information
• You are not traveling for at least 6 weeks from the date you submit your application
• You are located in a U.S. state or territory when you submit
• Your passport is undamaged and has not been reported lost or stolen
• You are renewing the same document type — a book for a book, or a card for a card. Adding a new document type (for example, adding a card when you only have a book) requires mail renewal instead.

One significant difference from mail renewal: you do not send in your old passport. The State Department cancels it electronically after you submit your application. Keep the old passport — even cancelled passports can serve as proof of U.S. citizenship. Do not attempt to use it for international travel after submitting your online renewal.

Payment for online renewal is by credit or debit card only — no check or money order. There is no execution fee. Fees match mail renewal: $130 for a book, $30 for a card. Optional 1–3 day return delivery is available for $22.05.

To check your eligibility and start an application, visit travel.state.gov and navigate to the online renewal portal. Beware of unofficial websites that charge extra fees and are not authorized to process passport applications — the only authorized portal ends in .gov.

When in-person renewal is required

You cannot renew by mail or online — and must apply in person using Form DS-11 — if any of the following apply:

• Your passport was issued before age 16, or was issued as a 5-year child's passport
• Your passport was issued 15 or more years ago
• Your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond normal wear and tear
• Your passport has been reported lost or stolen
• Your name has changed and you cannot provide certified legal documentation of the change
• You need your passport in fewer than 3 weeks — in that case, mail service is too slow regardless of eligibility, and you need a regional agency appointment

In-person applicants appear at a passport acceptance facility using Form DS-11. Unlike DS-82, you do not sign DS-11 before your appointment — the acceptance agent must witness your signature. Signing early voids the form. See the full guide to applying in person for what to bring.

How long does passport renewal take?

The State Department's current processing times for renewal applications:

• Routine service: 4–6 weeks from receipt of your application at the processing center
• Expedited service (+$60): 2–3 weeks from receipt

These figures measure only the time your application spends at a processing center. They do not include the time it takes your envelope to reach the center after you mail it, or the time it takes your new passport to travel back to you. Add up to two weeks on each end for a realistic estimate of the full cycle. Routine service from the day you drop your envelope in a USPS collection box typically runs 8–10 weeks door to door.

Online renewals run on the same routine timeline — 4–6 weeks from submission. There is no expedited option for online renewal.

If you are renewing your old passport at the same time as adding a new document type (for example, renewing a book and adding a first card), both documents process on the same timeline and ship together.

See the full processing times guide for the current State Department estimates, what affects wait times, and how to track your application. For urgent travel within 3 weeks, see the expedited passport guide — including how to book a regional agency appointment.