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Renew an adult passport

Find out if you can renew your passport or need a new one. Learn how to renew your passport by mail, get it changed or corrected, or what to do if it expires soon.

Renew early. Passport processing times  vary. And some countries and airlines deny entry if your passport expires in less than 6 months.

Determine if you can renew your passport

If any of the following are true, you cannot renew your U.S. passport and must instead apply for a new passport in person using Form DS-11:

• Issued before your 16th birthday
• Issued more than 15 years ago
• Damaged, lost, or stolen. Learn how to report a lost or stolen passport.
• Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change

If none of the above situations are true, you can renew your U.S. passport. 

Can you renew an expired passport?

You can renew an expired passport, but only if it was issued within the last 15 years.

How to renew your passport and what documents you will need

Passports can only be renewed by mail, and the renewal process for passport books and cards is the same. You will select which type of passport you want when you fill out the application form. Online renewals are currently paused. Because it can take up to three months to process your application, it is important to renew your passport before it expires.

Typically, you will need the following items to renew your passport:

• You can fill out Form DS-82 online , or
• Download Form DS-82 and fill it out by hand, or
• Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up a copy.
• Passport photo
• Passport fee
• Your most recent passport - Your most recent passport will be mailed back to you separately after your new passport is mailed.
• Name change documentation, if necessary

Learn how to submit all your documentation and passport fees and where to mail them.

Check with the Department of State to find out the current processing times for passport renewals .

If you need your passport quickly

Learn how and where to get your passport fast for emergency or urgent travel or to get expedited processing. The time it takes for each varies throughout the year, and there may be additional fees. Use the fee calculator or chart.

Check the status of your passport renewal

Learn how to check the status of your passport renewal online . Or check its status by phone (call wait times may be long).

If you need to change your name or correct your passport

After you receive your renewed passport, if you change your name or find an error, you will need to get an updated one to reflect the change. The process, cost, and forms you need depend on how long you have had your current passport. Follow the steps from the State Department to change your name or correct your passport.

If you are outside the U.S.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate near you to request a passport while outside the U.S.

If you need help with your passport application

If you have questions about your U.S. passport, the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) can help. Get contact information for NPIC and find out when to contact them based on when you are traveling.

Be aware of passport expiration rules for your destination

Some countries and airlines will not allow a U.S. passport holder to enter if their passport expires in less than 6 months. 

Check your destination country's U.S. passport expiration rules on the  Department of State's country information page .

• On the left, search for the country name in the "learn about your destination" box.
• On that country's page, look for "passport validity."

LAST UPDATED: May 15, 2024

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Do you need to correct or update your U.S. passport due to a name change, data error, or printing error? Pick the topic below to learn how.

Change Your Name

The process to change your name on your passport varies depending on your situation. Expand the boxes below to find the process that applies to you.

Less than one year after BOTH my passport was issued and my name was legally changed

Submit the following by mail:

• Form DS-5504  (find mailing instructions on the form)
• Your most recent U.S. passport
• An original or certified document which shows that you changed your name less than one year after we issued your most recent U.S. passport. Examples include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
• One  passport photo

You will not have to submit any passport fees unless you want expedited service which costs an extra $60. 

More than one year after either my passport was issued or my name was legally changed

You may be eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82 or apply in person using Form DS-11.

Can I renew by mail?

You can renew by mail using  Form DS-82  if your most recent passport:

• Is submitted with your application
• Is undamaged (other than normal wear and tear )
• Was issued when you were age 16 or older
• Was issued within the last 15 years
• Was issued in your current name (or you can show your name change)

If you are eligible to renew, submit the following by mail:

• Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
• One color  passport photo
• Fees , which are different depending on your age
• Send Form DS-82 and supporting documents using USPS. UPS, FedEx, DHL, and other companies cannot deliver to the PO Box addresses listed on Form DS-82.

How do I apply in person if I cannot renew by mail?

If you are not eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82,  apply in person  and submit the following:

• Your evidence of U.S. citizenship and photocopy of that evidence
• Valid ID and photocopy of that ID
• Fees , which are different depending on your age

Please note : If your name has changed because you are married  and  you show us an ID issued in your new name, you do not need to submit proof of your name change. You must include the details of the marriage on the second page of Form DS-11.

Already using a different name but cannot show the change

If you cannot show the change with a court order, divorce decree, or marriage certificate, apply in person and submit:

• Your evidence of U.S. citizenship
• Valid ID issued in the name you are currently using and photocopy of that ID

What should I do if my name is different than what is on my citizenship evidence, or I cannot show my new name through marriage or on a court order?

You may need to fill out  Form DS-60: Affidavit Regarding a Change of Name  if:

• The name you are using is different than the name on your evidence of U.S. citizenship, or
• Your new name is not shown on a court order or through marriage.

This form must be completed by two people who have known you by both names. You must also submit three certified or original public records that show you have used the new name for five years or more.

Correct a Data or Printing Error

You can correct your passport if there is a data or printing error. A data error may include an issue with your name, gender, or place of birth. A printing error may include data is missing on the biographical page, discoloration, or crooked printing. We will correct the error at no charge if the passport is still valid.

• Your current passport
• One color photo
• Evidence of the error (e.g. your U.S. birth certificate showing the correct spelling of your last name).
• You will not have to submit any fees.
• If you are reporting the error within one year of us issuing your incorrect passport, the new passport will be valid for 10 years.
• If you are reporting the error after one year, the new passport will be valid until the expiration date of your original, incorrect passport. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i self-select my gender marker.

Please see our Selecting Your Gender Marker  page for information.

I have a passport, but I’ve changed addresses. Do I need to update my passport?

No. You don’t need to update your current passport with your new address.

Call  1-877-487-2778  or  1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY) if you have an application in process and you are waiting for a passport. 

My passport photo is really bad. Can I change it?

If your photo looks bad because of our printing error, you can use Form DS-5504 to reapply at no cost to you.

If your photo is printed correctly and you dislike your photo, you may use Form DS-82 (if eligible) to reapply. You must pay the normal fees.

Processing Times

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

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U.S. Passport Application Status

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Form Finder -- Passport Forms

If you are applying for a U.S. passport, use the Passport Form Filler to fill out our primary forms (DS-11, DS-82, DS-5504, and DS-64) online and print them. The Form Filler will save you time and reduce the chance of errors on your form.

clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

What to know about getting a U.S. passport in 2023

How to get a passport for the first time, renew online and avoid expediting scams

This story has been updated.

The pandemic threw a wrench in the well-oiled machine of U.S. passport services. When offices were closed, in-person appointments were impossible and employees were figuring out how to work in the new normal, millions of passport applications got backlogged .

Fast forward a few years, and we’re not quite back to the 2019 norm, but we’re nearly there. Wait times are down and you can take your own photos (if you follow directions with military precision).

We checked in with the State Department to get the latest information on what travelers need to know about passport services.

How to replace — and avoid — a damaged passport

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How To Get Your Own US Passport & Start Your Adventure

Y our U. S. passport is a travel essential for any age traveler because a U.S. citizen’s birth certificate does not suffice to cross borders. However, in the past few years, the processing of U.S. passport applications, renewals and services has slowed considerably.

The U.S. Dept. of State announced in March 2023 that routine processing  of a passport application now takes 10-13 weeks , and  expedited processing  (for an additional $60) takes 7-9 weeks.

So, it’s time to get started with your application. A passport is a great holiday present and will become a great souvenir of your family travels, too.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

Don’t wait to acquire or renew your U.S. passport. Whether your family has planned an exotic getaway, or has a new baby on board, whether it’s about to expire or just needs more pages; do it now.

Believe us, you can get one more easily if you plan ahead, or more expensively if you’re running late. It used to be that if you only had a minimum of 24 hours’ lead time, it could still happen before your trip. Those days may be gone forever.

With that in mind, here are some of our tips and resources from the U.S. Passports and International Travel office to make the whole process easier for you.

Who Needs Documentation to Cross Which Borders

All U.S. citizens traveling by air and land (with a few tiny exceptions) anywhere, including the nearby countries in the Caribbean, Mexico, and even Canada need passports. Note that an online eligibility tool is now available, so be sure to fill it in and determine if your requirements will differ from those below. Don’t forget to check out pandemic-related travel restrictions as well.

• All US Citizens 16-years of age and older must present a valid passport to travel outside of the country to Canada, even by car or boat.
• Exceptions include kids age 15 and under who, thanks to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative , can present an original or copy of their birth certificate or other proof of citizenship to travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and 17 Caribbean nations.
• Teens between the ages of 16 and 18 , when traveling with an organized group, can follow the same procedures as younger children per the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. If not with a group, they, as all adults, will need their own passports.
• All new US passports must be Biometric Electronic passports
• Plan ahead for any government-issued documentation because waits can be long. The Department of State received more than 19 million passport applications in Fiscal Year 2018, increasing the competition for quick service.

Never Plan to Fly Internationally? Get a US Passport Card

To meet demand, the US developed the U.S. Passport Card . This wallet-sized RealID document is only good for land and sea cross-border travel between the U. S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

It is not valid for international travel by air, but it only costs $65 for applicants age 16 and older whether or not they already have a passport book . It can be applied for online if you already have a passport or expired passport card to send in by mail. Otherwise, you will need to submit one color photo and your forms to an agent in person; visit U S. Department of State for applications and information.

Also read: Parent Teen Adventures In Puerto Rico

Ordering U.S. Passports By Mail

Potential applicants renewing by mail must meet certain qualifications (see website) and provide their expired passports. Xerox everything, then bring it back to your authorized district mail center, or send it directly to the nearest Passport Center.(Several are noted on the website Passport Info .)

Note that the period September to December is typically the least busy application period. In fact, September is traditionally “Passport Month” when U.S. agencies stay open Saturdays and provide extra services to encourage more Americans to apply for or renew passports. 

Step by Step Directions on Applying for a Passport

If you have a few months’ lead time, head to your local post office or library or one of the more than 8,000 Passport Centers noted on the national passport website to pick up an application, or download one from the site.

What You’ll Need for a U. S. Passport

• 13 Week’s Lead Time (if the waits decrease, we suggest you apply 10 weeks ahead, just in case)
• Application (download and fill out before appointment)
• Proof of Citizenship (previous passport, birth certificate)
• One Photo (professional quality)
• Proof of ID (previous passport, driver’s license)

Taking Your Passport Photos Successfully

Did you know that , and several hundred thousand applications are rejected each year due to poor photos?. Passport photos will no longer be accepted if the applicant is wearing eyeglasses and, like this cute photo above, must be in color. The Department of State has gotten very strict about photo quality and readability.

The U.S. Passport Office has a page of rules about what makes a good passport photo . Fortunately, there’s a fun app called Passport Photo Creator that makes it easier. Check out the parameters you need to line up a passport-worthy photo on your smartphone.

Of course, it’s helpful to have a partner in the picture-taking, and maybe two if you are photographing a baby. When complete (the app will “verify” a good quality image), email it to a local Walgreens for printing. If you’re unsure about where that is, you can bring a flash drive memory stick with the images to a printer and have it done.

Also read:  How To Travel With Your Pets: 6 Essential Pet Travel Tips

Fees are High, and will go higher!

Notes that passport fees have skyrocketed with the inclusion of Security and Execution Charges, as well as with the new requirement for Biometric passports. Prepare to pay $165 (first time passport, valid 10 years), $135 (children under 16 years, valid 5 years only), or $130 (renewal, valid 10 years).

The only good news is that some Caribbean and Mexican resorts offer summer family travel specials in which they reimburse any family member who had to purchase a passport to get there!

Who Must Apply In Person, In Real Life, for a U.S. Passport

If you are a First Time applicant of any age, you will need to see a Passport Center officer in person with proof of U.S. citizenship and identity; Parents can provide these papers for accompanying children but must have their own photo IDs.

Anyone needing to renew an expired passport that was issued when the passport holder was less than 16-years of age must also apply in person. There are now 8,000 U.S. passport acceptance facilities nationwide. Most of the local Passport Centers accept applicants by appointment only.

Getting U.S. Children’s Passports

Remember that every citizen, no matter the age, must now carry her own passport. Strict guidelines for the issuance of passports to minors under the age of 16-years require the presence of both parents , with proof of parentage.

If there’s only one parent making an appearance, they must have a notarized statement of consent from the second parent (or divorce papers, death certificates, lawyer’s letters, etc. which can be declared on the special form DS-5525 .)

Same sex couples must follow the same rules. “In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage,” comments a State Department official, “regarding the two parent consent requirement for passport issuance, the basic premise of two-parent consent —- that all legal parents/guardians of a child, as determined by state law, must consent to passport issuance -— remains the same.”

Additionally, minors ages 18 and under are recommended to have at least one guardian in attendance, but these rules are complicated, so be sure to check the national passport website before arriving at their office.

Note: We recommend that any parent who has a different surname than their child also carry a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate while traveling, providing legal evidence of “guardianship” in case of need.

If custody issues are a concern, parents may also request that their children’s names be entered in the U.S. passport name-check system.The Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program provides notification to parents of passport applications made on behalf of minor children, and denial of passport issuance if appropriate court orders are on file with the CPIAP. The Office of International Parental Child Abduction will provide more information.

Rush Hour – When You Need a U.S. Passport Yesterday

If you’re in a desperate rush, bring your travel tickets (departure must be dated within two weeks of passport application), necessary documents and cash to your regional passport center, wait on line to fill out the application, sign it, pay an additional $60 Expedite Fee, and return in person or have the it delivered to you as soon as possible by overnight mail for an added fee.

If you don’t want to manage this, help is available. For a fee that may be a few hundred dollars (on top of the regular Passport Agency fees), expediters like It’s Easy Passport can advise you of the required paperwork and do the legwork for you, ensuring you peace of mind.

Passport and visa expediters get you the forms, take your stuff, wait and deliver your documents, often within 24-48 hours. Their services are most beneficial for:

• Last-minute travel planners.
• Those who need to renew it due to expire within 6 months (not acceptable in many countries.) 
• Anyone requiring international visas with no easy access to a consulate or embassy.

The helpful Fastport Passport, a family run operation based in Brooklyn, is one we’ve worked with. Other national expediters include Passport Plus Visas and A. Briggs Passport Plus.

Also read: Air Travel Tips To Ease Family Vacation Hassles

Confused by all this Passport Information?

For Spanish language information on how to apply for a U.S. passport, application fees, and other travel information, visit Travel.State.Gov/Pasaporte.

For more information, take advantage of the National Passport Information Center’s toll-free phone assistance line , 877/487-2778, manned by English and Spanish speaking live operators from 8am-10pm weekdays, and Saturdays 10am-3pm EST. TDD/TTY users may call 888/874-7793; recorded assistance is available 24/7 on both phone lines.

Additionally, the NPIC claims they will answer email inquiries addressed to [email protected] within two normal business days. Let us know if that works for you and safe travels.

1. Can I renew my US passport if it’s expired?

Yes, you can renew your it if it has expired within the last 15 years and you were at least 16 years old when it was issued. You can renew it by mail using the DS-82 form. If it has been more than 15 years, you’ll need to apply for a new one in person using the DS-11 form.

2. What is the validity period of a US passport?

For adults (ages 16 and older), it is valid for 10 years. For children (under 16), it is valid for 5 years. Make sure to renew it before it expires if you plan to travel internationally.

3. How can I expedite my US passport application?

You can expedite your application by paying an additional fee and choosing expedited processing when you submit your application. This option shortens the processing time to approximately 2-3 weeks for routine service. You can also expedite the return mailing of it.

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