US Passport Application Services

How to Renew US Passport?

If you already have a passport, then you can easily renew it instead of applying for a new one. The passport renewal application is quite easy, and it only needs a few simple steps:

Eligibility for passport renewal

You can renew your US passport if you meet all these requirements:

• The passport that you are applying to get renewed is or was valid for 10 years, and your age should be 25 or older.
• The passport you are renewing has already expired five years ago, or it will expire within one year.
• If you are not changing any personal details like name, sex, DOB, or place of birth.
• You must not have any travel plans for at least 6 weeks after you submit the application. 
• You should have your current passport with you, and it should be in the right condition. 

Renew US passport online

If you want to proceed with the process of US passport renewal online, then follow these steps:

1. Confirm the eligibility: Make sure that you meet all the eligibility criteria mentioned above.
2. Create your account: Open the government website for online renewal of the passport application. Sign in as the existing customer or create a new account.
3. Start with the application: Navigate to the option saying “Renew your passport” on the website to start with your application. You will have 7 days to complete this application. You can just save it and finish it later on. After 7 days, you will have to start over.
4. Enter details of recent passport: After completing the application, you need to enter the details of your most recent passport as it is.
5. Enter travel plans: If you are travelling internationally in the upcoming 6 weeks, then you cannot apply for the passport renewal. 
6. Upload a digital photo: You need to upload your original digital photo in the JPEG file format. Make sure that you meet all the requirements.
7. Sign and Pay: To complete the process of your application, you need to pay the U.S. passport renewal fee. To pay the fee, click on ‘Sign and Pay’ in your application.
8. Track Updates: You will get the updates of your application status to your registered e-mail address. These updates will tell you when your application is processed, verified, or approved. You will also be notified if there are any additional updates regarding the application. 

How to Renew Your Passport by Mail

Here are the steps that you should follow if you want to renew your US passport by mail:

Step 1: Check the Eligibility to Renew by Mail

For adults, you need to meet the requirements to renew the passport by mail. For minors, you cannot renew the passport by mail. You need to apply for a new passport for them in person.

Step 2: Prepare the Application Package

As most countries require at least 6 months of validity of your passport when you enter, it is necessary that you apply for the renewal early. Here are the ways by which you can make the perfect application package, which includes all the necessary documents, so that your application gets processed on time:

1. Complete filling out the Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82, which you can find on the official website of the State Department.
2. Print and sign this form after filling it out.
3. Have your passport photo taken. You can schedule a US passport renewal appointment for a photo only at a post office.
4. Evaluate the US passport fees for renewal.
5. Collect the important documents like, your most recent passport, completed and filled application, fees for renewal, and documents for name change, are necessary.
6. Choose the right envelope: Use a large enough envelope to fit in all the necessary documents.
7. Write the address of the location allotted for your state on the envelope. 

Step 3: Mail the Renewal Application

To mail your US passport renewal application, you should use a USPS delivery tracking service, as it is also recommended by the Department of State. You can use one of the following services:

• USPS Priority Mail Service with Delivery Confirmation
• USPS Priority Mail Service with Signature Confirmation
• USPS Priority Mail Express Service (for 1-3 day delivery request)

Step 4: Follow the Application Progress

If you use the delivery service by USPS, then you can go to the USPS tracking to see when your package is delivered. There will be a tracking number given in the receipt, which you can use to track when your application arrives.

Apply for a Child’s Passport

There are some special requirements if you want to apply for passports for minors under 16:

• Both the parents or guardians need to authorize the issuance of the minor’s passport. They have to give consent for the application process, and the best way of doing this is by going along with the child when applying.
• Children need to submit the evidence of citizenship. 
• Parents or guardians have to provide proof of parental relationship with the child.
  
  NOTE: Keep in mind that the validity of the children's passports is 5 years, and you cannot renew them. In case of expiry, you need to apply for a new one. When you try to make a US passport appointment for a child’s passport, choose “New passport only”.
  

What to Do in Case of a Lost or Damaged Passport

Losing your passport is kind of a scary experience, but if you act fast, you can prevent a lot of potential damage. You should report your passport after it gets lost or stolen. If you are applying for a new passport along with it, then you can report online, in person, or via mail.

If you do this, your stolen passport will get cancelled so that no one else can use it under your identity. In case your passport has expired when it gets lost or stolen, then there is no need to report it because it can’t be misused.

The process of obtaining a new passport may seem difficult and complex, but if you know all the steps and understand the process, then it is quite a straightforward process. Also, make sure that you meet all the requirements and have all the supporting documents. 

How to Update a Passport?

There is a process to update your passport. If you want to make corrections in your passport, then here are the cases: 

If the Correction/Change is within one year after issuance

If there is a change or correction within one year after issuance of your passport, then you need to apply by mail. You need to submit the following items to the Consular Office of your district:

• A valid passport

• Form DS-5504: Complete this form online, print it out, and sign it. If you are applying for a minor child, then the parents have to sign it on their behalf.
• For Corrections: Proof of the accurate biographic information, such as the original birth certificate or previous passport. Submit the original and 1 photocopy.
• For Name Changes: Legal documents for the name change, such as the court order or original marriage certificate. Submit the original and 1 photocopy. Also, provide English translations for the foreign documents. 
• Passport Photo: Submit 1 passport photo meeting all the requirements. It should have a white background, 2”x2” in size, no eyeglasses, and no uniforms. 

• A Completed Courier Form

• Passport cost fees

If the Correction/Change is more than one year after issuance

If there is a change in more than one year after the issuance of your passport, then you need to follow the same procedure as passport renewal and include the following:

• For Corrections: Proof of the correct biographic information, such as a previous passport or an original birth certificate. You need to submit the original and 1 photocopy.
• For Name Changes: Legal documents for the name change, like the original marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree, etc. You need to submit the original and 1 photocopy. 

NOTE: If there are any foreign documents, they must be accompanied by their English Translation. 

Documents Required to US Passport Application

The process of obtaining a US passport starts with filling out the DS-11 Form. This form is available to download online, but you have to submit it in person at a passport agency or acceptance facility, along with the supporting documents. Keep in mind that you need to sign the Form DS-11 Application at the time of your appointment when the passport acceptance official asks you to do so.

The US passport documents needed for the applicants are given below:

• Proof of US Citizenship: Birth certificate from the US, Certificate of Naturalization, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Birth Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship; all are accepted documents.
• Photo ID: A government-issued ID, driver’s license, military ID, Certificate of Naturalization, or previously issued passport, all are accepted forms of ID.
• Passport Photo
• Passport Fees
• A photocopy of your Photo ID and proof of U.S. citizenship
  

If you are not able to provide a primary ID, then you must submit a minimum of two secondary documents:

• Social Security Card
• Medicare card or any other health insurance card
• Work/Employee ID
• Student ID 

Track Your Passport Application Status

You can use the online passport status system to check all the updates regarding your renewal application if you have applied via mail or in person. For two weeks after applying for the renewal, there is a chance that you might not be able to see the status updates. During this time, your application and all the supporting documents are on their way to reach the Department of State. You can also see the regular updates on the official tracking page of the Department of State.

• You can avail the Expedited passport service in case of an emergency. There is also a way by which you can renew your passport urgently. 

  Issue a New Passport Faster in Special Cases and Emergencies

  Life-or-Death Emergency

  This situation implies that if you need to travel in less than 72 hours for a family member who is already dead, dying, or has a life-threatening injury or disease:

  • To check your eligibility, visit the page of Life-or-Death Emergencies on the official website of the state government.
  • The State Department processes these types of requests on an appointment basis only.
  • The date of your appointment should be within 3 business days (72 hours) of your travel.

  Urgent Travel in Less than 10 weeks

  If your travel is planned in less than 10 weeks, then you must call the Department of State Passport Agency to schedule an appointment:

  • To schedule an appointment, you can call this number: 1-877-487-2778.
  • The date of your appointment must be within 72 hours of your travel, and you also need to provide proof of your travel.

  Renew Your Passport Quickly

  To get your passport renewed within 10 weeks, you need to pay an additional fee of $60 for the expedited service and mail it with Priority Mail Express.

  • First, check your eligibility under the eligibility criteria for renewing the passport by mail. 
  • Prepare your application package listed under Renew your passport by mail.
  • Add the following special fees to your regular processing fees. It is payable to the U.S. Department of State.
  • $60.00: Amount for the expedited application processing at the Department of State
  • $22.05: 1 to 3 days delivery service for the quicker return shipping to you from the Department of State
  • Don’t forget to mark ‘EXPEDITE’ on the envelope clearly.
  • Lastly, send your application to the US State Department by Priority Mail Express. The price can vary by location.