How to Renew Your Passport As a US Citizen

It's essential to keep your passport up to date, especially if you travel frequently. The last thing you want is your passport to expire while you're out of the country—or worse, when you need a visa for a travel destination.

If this happens, getting back into the country can be difficult and time-consuming, and it may even cost you money.

Resigning your passport as a US citizen is easy.

Here's how to renew your passport:

First things first: if you need clarification on whether or not it's time to renew your passport, check its expiration date. If it says "EXP5" (or "EXPIRES 5 YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE"), then it is time for an update.

If you're ready to begin the renewal process, you'll need to gather some documents together and make sure they're all up-to-date before submitting them with your application form. These items include:

Your old passport
A completed application form DS-11 or DS-82 (the latter is for minors) with black ink only;
One recent passport photo that meets standards;
Proof of citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate;
If you were born outside of the US but have lived there since infancy, provide proof of residence such as school records or employment records;
If you are applying for a new passport because yours was lost or stolen, proof of loss in addition to its replacement fee for expedited service; and
For minors who have never been issued passports before: a photocopy of both parents' passports (not just one parent's); if only one parent holds custody over them, then that parent must sign an affidavit stating so and provide proof that they have legal custody over their child (such as a court order stating that they are the sole custodian of their child); and an original or certified copy of the minor's birth certificate.

FAQs

How long does it take for my passport renewal application to be processed?

It takes about six weeks for your new passport book to arrive by mail after submitting the application form and paying the fee. If you apply in person at a local acceptance facility, you should receive your new passport within two weeks.

Where do I apply to renew my passport?

You can apply for a passport renewal in person at any of the following locations:

-A passport office

-A local acceptance facility (a county clerk’s office or other government agencies)

-A U.S. embassy or consulate

How To Renew Your Passport By Mail?

You may also choose to renew your passport by mail if you want to avoid getting fingerprinted in person or if you need to send the documentation that cannot be scanned or uploaded electronically (for example, documents with handwritten signatures). If you choose this option, expect it to take about six weeks to receive your new passport.