Do you want to know how to renew a passport? Are you looking for step-by-step procedures to make the process smooth and less time-consuming? If yes, you are in the right place. You can renew your passport by mail. However, there will be some conditions. If you meet them, you can renew your U.S. passport through mail. Otherwise, you will have to submit the form in person. We will cover both ways. If you want to be familiar with the process, you can go through the following.
When Can You Renew a Passport by Mail?
As mentioned earlier, you will have to meet some requirements to renew a passport. Here are the conditions you need to check before going ahead.
• You have a passport with you to submit with the application.
• Your passport is in good condition. It has only some normal wear and tears
• You received your passport when you were 16 or above.
• You have received your passport within the last fifteen years.
• You have your current name on your passport. If you have changed your name, you have documents to prove it.
If you meet all the above criteria, you can renew your passport by mail. However, you will have to apply in person if you do not meet any of the above requirements. While living in Canada, you can renew a passport by mail. You will not have to visit the US consulate or embassy. But the process for applying in person and by mail will be different.
If you apply by mail, you will have to fill out the DS-82 form. For an in-person application, you will have to fill DS-11 form to renew a passport.
When Can You Apply in Person?
You can apply in person under the following conditions.
• You want your first US passport.
• You had your passport when you were below 16
• You are under 16
• Your previous passport is more than 15 years old
• You have lost your passport
• Your passport has damages
If you meet any of the above criteria, you can renew your passport in person.
How to Renew a Passport by Mail
Fill the Form
As stated above, you will have to fill out the DS-82 form. The form filler will show an application form based on your input. You will have to enter your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you will have to submit a statement. You will have to fill out all the pages and sign the form. You can renew the passport card, book, or both. Also, you will have to print single-sided forms. The authorities will not accept double-sided prints.
Submit the Most Recent Passport
As mentioned earlier, you will have to submit your passport. Submit the most recent passport with the form. It is noteworthy that your old passport will return to you in a separate mail.
Check the Name & Correct It If Required
If you have a different name than your most recent passport, you will have to provide a legal copy of the name change. The legal documents include a marriage certificate, court order, and divorce decree. You can provide what is applicable. However, they will return the certificate after the verification.
Provide Your Photo
You will have to attach a photo with your application form to renew a passport. But you need to ensure that your photo meets all the requirements to avoid processing delays. You will have to use a color photo not more than six months old. Also, avoid using selfies and use a clear image with off-white or white backgrounds. Also, remove your glasses while taking a photo.
Know Fee Amount & Payment Method
You will have to pay fees in a money order or personal check. For the passport book, the fee is $130, and it is $30 for the passport card. If you want both, you will have to pay $160. In addition to this, you will have to pay $60 for service costs. You will have to pay the “U.S. Department of State”. Also, add your date of birth and full name on the front of the check or money order. You cannot make cash or online payments.
Mail Your Form
Once you have everything ready, you will have to mail your form to the National Passport Processing Center. Mail all the attachments, including photo, fee, and name change document.
Track the Status
After mailing the form, you can track the status online. When it shows “In Process”, the application form is processing. When the status is “Not Available”, it says the documents are on their way to the concerned authorities.
How to Renew a passport in Person
Fill Out the Form
You will have to start with the DS-11 form. However, the form filler will get the correct form based on your input. You will have to enter your social security number. If you do not have one, you can submit a signed statement. Fill out all the pages of the form. But do not sign it until the acceptance agent tells you to do so.
Get U.S. Citizenship Evidence
You will have to submit a valid document to prove your US citizenship to renew a passport . The document can be a certified, original, or physical copy. Ensure that it has the stamp or seal of the issuing authority. You can use any of the following certificates as evidence of U.S. citizenship.
• Un-damaged, valid, or expired U.S. passport
• U.S. birth certificate (with your name, city, birth time, birthplace, parents’ name, registrar signature, and state).
• Certificate of citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certification of Birth
Bring the Photocopy of Evidence
You will have to submit a photocopy of the front of the Citizenship evidence to renew a passport. If the backside has any information, you will have to submit a photocopy. The photocopy needs to be single-sided, legible, black and white, and white 8.5″x11″ standard paper.
If you do not want to provide the photocopy of your citizenship proof, you can consider submitting the second certified copy of the U.S. citizenship evidence. However, if you do not submit any of these, the processing will take time.
Get Your ID Document
You will have to submit your ID document as well to renew a passport. You can use your passport card or book, both expired and valid, as identity proof. Also, you can use a driver’s license, government employee ID, valid foreign passport, and U.S. permanent resident card. Other valid ID documents are military ID, Matricular consular ID, Trusted travelers ID, and a few more. However, you cannot use a digital ID document.
Bring a Photocopy of Your ID
You will need a photocopy of the front of your ID. The photocopy needs to be legible and single-sided to renew a passport. It should be black and white on a white 8.5″x11″ standard paper.
Additional Requirements
There will be some additional requirements to renew a passport if you belong to any of the following categories.
• You have lost your previous passport
• Children 16-17
• Children under 16
• Owe >$2500 for child support
• Special insurance passport
Bring Your Photo
You will have to provide a photo with the application form to renew a passport. Also, your photo needs to meet some requirements. You cannot use any photo older than six months. Do not use selfies, and take your glasses off as well. However, you do not need to attach the photo to the application form. The acceptance agent will check and staple your photo. Moreover, some facilities offer photo services. But you will have to pay an additional fee for this.
Know Your Fees
For adult applicants, the application fee for a passport book is $130. However, there will be an execution fee of $35. The passport card application fee is $30. If you want both, you will have to pay $160 for the application form and $35 for execution. The execution fee is $35 for all types of applications.
But if you are fifteen or below, the application fee for a passport book is $100 and $15 for the passport card. For both, you will have to spend $115. The execution fee for all is $35. You will have to pay the application fee and execution fee separately. Also, you will have to pay $60 extra for expedited service costs.
Submit the Application
After filling out all the pages and collecting the required documents to renew a passport, you can submit your completed application form. While submitting it, ensure that you have the citizenship evidence, photo, fees, and ID photocopy. Submit the completed form at a passport acceptance facility. If you are outside the U.S., you can contact the U.S. consulate and embassy to know where you can submit your application.
Track the Status
After submitting your completed form, you can track the progress online. The �In Process” status means the form is going through processing to renew a passport. When it shows “Not Available”, it indicates that the application has gone through the processing and is on the way to authorities.
You can renew your passport even if your current passport is valid. Moreover, you can renew it by mail or in person based on your condition. You might not find much difference in the documents and other processes. However, the requirements for in-person and mail applications will not be the same. Also, if you are living outside the U.S., you might need to follow some additional steps.