You do not need to stand in the queue at your local post office to renew your Passport by mail. Nowadays, renewal is much easier than seeking a fresh one. You only need to follow a few simple steps, and you are done. Here is a short guide to the renewal of a passport in the United States.
Are you eligible for a passport renewal? You have to check out if you fulfill the eligibility criteria for passport renewal or if you need to apply for a fresh passport.
Eligibility of Passport Renewal
For renewing your Passport, you will require your Passport in your hand in an acceptable condition without any severe damages, and it must be less than five years before it expired. A passport is issued when you are 16 years or above and is valid for around ten years. If you fulfill all the following eligibility requirements, you can get your Passport renewal:
- Your current Passport is not lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Your current Passport must have been issued when you were 16 years or above, having ten years of validity.
- Your current Passport must have been issued not more than 15 years ago or must have expired less than five years ago.
- Your Passport must have your current legal name or any legal proof of your name change.
If you miss out on any of these requirements, you need to follow the procedure to get a fresh passport.
When Do You Require Passport Renewal?
Generally, you must renew your Passport for about nine months before the expiration period, even if you do not have any plans to leave the country anytime soon. If you plan a trip abroad, have a quick look at the expiration date on your Passport. Many countries need passport validity at least three to six months from the day you leave the United States. Also, do not forget to check with the US department website for the requirements of Passport renewal for the country you are planning to visit.
The time needed for passport renewal
Receiving your passport renewal might take eight working days to six weeks, depending on the method you use.
- Regular service – Within 4 to 6 weeks
- Expedited at passport renewal agency – Within 8 working days
- Expedited by email – Within 2 to 3 weeks
Important Note- This does not refer to when you mail your application and your new Passport returned to you. According to the rule, your application and other documents must be eight weeks before leaving for your trip.
Passports for Minors
Minor applicants are not eligible for the renewal of passports—minor applicants are people who are 15 years of age or younger. Minor applicants must be present at the post office or passport office with their guardians or parents because it is always regarded as a new passport. When they are 16 years or older, they can apply for a new adult passport.
Hence, there is not much difference between getting a passport for a child or a 15-years-old. The procedure is as below –
- Complete the DS-11 form – You can go through the online route or complete/print a PDF version.
- Get a copy of their birth certificate – Ensure to use the certified or original copy from your record office of state and not a commemorative version issued by a few hospitals.
- Take a Photo – Even newborn babies require a picture, and there are a few things to know about it. First, you cannot have any other person in the picture. Secondly, try your child to lay on his or her back with a white sheet or blanket with good head support. Or you can place your newborn in the car seat, and you must cover that with a white sheet.
- Visit an approved passport office – Remember to take the photo and birth certificate with you. Double-check that you have them before leaving your home. For parental consent, both parents must be present, and if one of them cannot be there, then he/she has to complete the notarized copy of form DS-3053 which is the statement of consent.
For 16 and 17 years olds, this process is easy. Parents are not required to visit the passport office, but parental awareness needs to be established, and specific steps are required to be taken for renewing a passport quickly.
The Process of a Faster Passport Renewal
Processing of Passport renewal takes around eight weeks if you apply at the post office, and so if you require your Passport as soon as possible, you will need to expedite your passport renewal.
Few options to choose for expediting your passport renewal are –
- 24 Hours to 2 Weeks Option – Take the help of expedited services of a private passport expedition company for safe and secure service. They will help you go ahead with every step to ensure your Passport is renewed at the right time.
- 2 to 3 Weeks Option – You can pay an additional fee for expedited services when applying through the post office. The State Department recommends you to pay overnight shipping both from and to the passport agency. It will cut the time of processing to about three weeks.
- 6 Working Days – If you are about to leave in the next 14 days or four weeks, then make an appointment at the nearest agency of Passport.
What All You Need For The Renewal Of Your Passport?
If you select for passport renewal by mail or in person, you need to provide the following documents –
Your most recent Passport
If you select to renew your Passport by mail or in person, make sure you bring your old but recent Passport with you even if it is expired. Please keep it in an envelope with other documents, and after the processing, they will return your old Passport to you.
Application Form
Download the passport renewal form or pick it up from the local facility of the passport agency. You can fill out the application by hand or on your computer, but you cannot submit it online. You can choose to do so-
- By mail – filling Form No. DS-82
- In-Person – filling form No. DS-11
Passport Photo
Staple your passport photo to the application using four staples in the corners vertically. Your photograph must fulfill these requirements –
- Photo must be recent (within six months).
- Use your photo that reflects your actual skin tone without using any social media filters or editing.
- Use white or off-white background.
- No selfies are acceptable.
- Don't wear eyeglasses.
- Try to submit high-quality photos without blur or pixelation.
- Wear clothes you wear regularly.
- Do not cover your head or wear a hat until it is for any medical purposes or religion. You need to provide a signed statement or note of doctors verifying your head covering in such cases.
- Photo must be 2 x 2 inches, and print the photo on matte or glossy photo paper.
Name Change Documents (If Applicable)
If you have legally changed your name after your last Passport was issued, provide your legal name change document. It can be your marriage certificate copy or a court order filing your name change.
Payment
After payment, you need to provide a receipt. Payments are accepted in the following ways –
- Money orders and the cheque must be payable to the ‘US Department of State.'
- Cash is only accepted if you pay the exact amount because the office will provide no change.
- MasterCard, Discover debit or credit cards, American Express, and Visa cards are all accepted.
