Step-by-step guide to renewing a U.S. passport by mail, covering eligibility for mail renewal, Form DS-82, photo requirements, current fees ($130 for book), standard and expedited processing times, and online renewal options.
You can renew by mail if all of the following are true: you have your most recent passport, it was issued within the last 15 years, you were age 16 or older when it was issued, and it's in your current legal name (or you can document the name change). If any condition isn't met, you must apply in person with Form DS-11.
Verify your current passport was issued within the last 15 years
Confirm you were 16 or older when the passport was issued
Check if your name has changed (you'll need a certified name change document)
Check if online renewal is available
The State Department launched an online renewal system at myTravelGov. Eligibility is the same as mail renewal, plus your passport must not have been reported lost or stolen. Online applicants upload a digital photo and pay online. Check travel.state.gov for current availability.
Decide between passport book, passport card, or both
The passport book ($130) is valid for all international travel by air, land, and sea. The passport card ($30) is only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Both together cost $160. Most travelers need at least the book.
Complete the Application Form
Fill out Form DS-82 (Application for Passport Renewal by Mail)
Download DS-82 from travel.state.gov or fill it out online and print. Use black ink. Do not sign the form until you've filled in all fields. The form asks for your most recent passport number, issue date, personal information, and emergency contact.
Sign and date the form
Sign in the designated box on page 1 using black ink. If renewing for a minor (ages 16-17), the minor must sign their own form. Do not laminate or alter the form after signing.
Include a certified name change document if applicable
If your name has changed since your last passport, include the original or certified copy of the legal document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Photocopies are not accepted. The document will be returned with your new passport.
Passport Photo
Get a new passport photo taken
Photos must be 2x2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, in color with a white background. Your face must cover 50-69% of the photo (1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head). Glasses are not permitted. Most pharmacies and shipping stores offer passport photo services for $10-$20.
Review the photo for compliance before submitting
Common rejection reasons: shadows on face or background, photo too dark or blurry, head tilted, mouth open, glasses worn, incorrect dimensions, or photo older than 6 months. Use the State Department's free photo tool at travel.state.gov to check before printing.
Fees and Payment
Calculate your total fees
Passport book renewal: $130. Passport card renewal: $30. Both book and card: $160. Expedited processing (optional): add $60. 1-2 day delivery of the new passport (optional): add $19.53 for Priority Mail Express. All fees are per applicant.
Prepare payment
Pay by personal check or money order made payable to "U.S. Department of State." Do not send cash. Write your full name and date of birth on the check. For online renewal, credit and debit cards are accepted.
Mail the Application
Assemble your complete renewal package
Include: completed DS-82, your most recent passport, new passport photo, payment (check or money order), and certified name change document (if applicable). Do not include any documents not requested — extra materials slow processing.
Form DS-82 (signed and dated)
Most recent U.S. passport (it will be cancelled and returned to you)
One new passport photo
Check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State
Mail to the correct address
Regular processing and expedited processing go to different addresses. Regular: National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 640155, Irving, TX 75064. Expedited: National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190. Write "EXPEDITE" on the outer envelope if requesting expedited service.
Use trackable mail and note your tracking number
Send via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, or FedEx with tracking. Keep the tracking number — you can't check application status until the State Department receives and scans your package, which typically happens 2-3 weeks after mailing.
Processing and Tracking
Track your application status online
Check status at passportstatus.state.gov using your last name, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN. Allow 2-3 weeks after mailing before status appears. You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
Understand current processing times
Routine processing takes 6-8 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2-3 weeks. Processing times fluctuate by season — spring and summer are busiest. If you need a passport within 2 weeks, you can schedule an in-person appointment at a regional passport agency for an additional fee.
Receive your new passport and old cancelled passport
Your new passport and old passport (with holes punched through the cover to mark cancellation) arrive in separate mailings about 1 week apart. Your new passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. The old passport still contains valid visas, so keep it for travel if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does US passport renewal take?
Standard processing by mail takes 6-8 weeks, while expedited processing takes 2-3 weeks and costs an additional $60. During peak travel season (January through summer), standard processing can stretch to 10-12 weeks. For emergencies (life-or-death situations or travel within 14 days), you can schedule an in-person appointment at a passport agency. The processing time clock starts when the State Department receives your application, not when you mail it.
How much does it cost to renew a US passport?
An adult passport book renewal by mail costs $130 as of 2026. If you also want a passport card, add $30 for a total of $160. Expedited processing adds $60 for the faster service. If you need overnight delivery of your new passport, add $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. All fees are payable by check or money order to the U.S. Department of State; credit cards are accepted only for in-person applications at passport agencies.
Can I renew my passport if it has been expired for more than 5 years?
No, if your passport has been expired for more than 5 years, was issued before age 16, or was lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail. You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility using Form DS-11 (new application) instead of Form DS-82 (renewal). This requires an in-person appointment, two passport photos, proof of identity, and proof of citizenship. The fee for a new adult passport application in person is $130 plus a $35 acceptance facility fee.
Should I renew my passport before or after it expires?
Renew well before expiration. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates and will deny entry if it does not meet this requirement. Airlines may also refuse to board you with an insufficient-validity passport. The State Department recommends renewing 9 months before expiration. You can renew at any time, even if your passport still has years of remaining validity; unused time is not added to the new passport, which is issued for the standard 10-year term.