How to Renew Your Passport by Mail or in Person

Passport renewal works differently depending on how old your passport is and what condition it's in

You can renew a U.S. passport by mail if your passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and expired no more than five years ago. If your passport is damaged, lost, or stolen, or if it was issued before you turned 16, you must renew in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. The mail route takes four to six weeks under normal conditions; in-person renewal at an agency takes one to three weeks. Acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, and some courthouses) can only accept your application — they cannot issue passports themselves.

Your choice between mail and in-person also depends on how soon you need the passport. If you have travel plans within a month, in-person renewal at a passport agency is faster. If you have more time and your passport meets the mail-renewal requirements, mailing your application costs less and requires no appointment.

Key Takeaways

• Mail renewal is available only if your passport is undamaged, was issued at age 16 or older, and expired within the last five years.
• You will need your expired passport, a new photo, a completed Form DS-11 or DS-82 (depending on your route), and a check or money order for the renewal fee.
• Processing times vary: mail renewal takes four to six weeks, while in-person renewal at a passport agency takes one to three weeks.
• Passport acceptance facilities can accept your application but cannot issue your passport, so you will receive it by mail after processing.

What documents you need before you start

Gather your expired passport, a new passport photo (2x2 inches, taken within the last six months), and proof of citizenship if you are renewing by mail for the first time since receiving your passport. You also need a completed application form — either Form DS-82 (for mail renewal) or Form DS-11 (for in-person renewal). You can download both from the State Department website or pick up a paper copy at any passport acceptance facility.

Payment is by check or money order only — no cash or credit cards at acceptance facilities, though some passport agencies accept credit cards in person. The renewal fee for a standard adult passport is $130 (passport book only) if you are renewing by mail, or $130 plus a $35 execution fee if you are renewing in person. Expedited processing adds $60 and cuts the timeline to two to three weeks for mail renewal or same-day service at some agencies, though expedited service is not available by mail through acceptance facilities.

Renewing by mail: the step-by-step process

Complete Form DS-82 and sign it in blue or black ink — do not sign in pencil. Gather your expired passport, new photo, and payment. Mail everything together to the address listed on the form for your region (the State Department has different processing centers by geography). Do not use certified mail or require a signature; regular mail works fine and is actually faster because it does not require someone to sign for it.

You will receive your new passport by mail, usually within four to six weeks. If you need your passport sooner, you cannot expedite a mail renewal through an acceptance facility, but you can start over with an in-person application at a passport agency instead. Some people mail their application and then, if they have not heard back after three weeks, go in person to an agency to ask about their status — this does not speed up the process but can confirm it is moving.

Renewing in person at a passport agency or acceptance facility

Passport agencies are run by the State Department and handle renewals faster than acceptance facilities. You can walk in without an appointment at some agencies, but most now require you to book a time slot on the State Department website. Bring your expired passport, new photo, completed Form DS-11, and payment. Bring original documents proving citizenship only if this is your first passport or if you lost your citizenship documents.

Acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, courthouses) can accept your application but will mail it to a processing center, so you still wait four to six weeks for your new passport. The only advantage of going in person to an acceptance facility is that staff can check your application for errors before it is mailed, which can prevent delays. If you go to a passport agency in person, you can often receive your passport the same day or within a few days, depending on how busy the office is.

When you need to renew in person instead of by mail

Your passport must be renewed in person if it is damaged (torn, water-damaged, or with pages missing), lost, or stolen. You also must renew in person if your passport was issued before you turned 16, even if it is not damaged. If your name has changed since your passport was issued, you can renew by mail only if you submit a certified copy of the document that changed your name (marriage certificate, court order, etc.) along with your application.

If your passport expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must apply for a new one, which requires an in-person appointment at a passport agency and costs $130 plus a $35 execution fee. The same applies if you were under 16 when your passport was issued: even if it is still valid, you must apply for a new adult passport in person.

Expedited processing and rush fees

Expedited processing costs $60 extra and reduces the timeline to two to three weeks for mail renewal or same-day to three-day service at a passport agency. You cannot use expedited processing through an acceptance facility — only through a passport agency in person or by mail through the State Department directly. If you are renewing by mail and need your passport faster, you can pay for expedited processing, but the mail itself still takes time, so the total is usually two to three weeks.

If you need your passport within days, your only option is to go in person to a passport agency and pay for expedited service. Some agencies offer same-day service if you arrive early, though this varies by location and how busy they are. Call ahead to ask whether your local agency offers same-day service and whether you need an appointment.

What happens after you submit your application

The State Department will mail you a receipt or confirmation number, depending on whether you applied by mail or in person. You can use this number to check the status of your passport on the State Department website. If there is a problem with your application — a missing signature, a photo that does not meet requirements, or a payment issue — the State Department will mail you a letter asking you to fix it. This can add weeks to your timeline, so double-check your application before you mail it or submit it in person.

Once your passport is approved and printed, it will be mailed to you. If you applied in person at a passport agency, you may be able to pick it up instead of waiting for mail delivery. Ask the staff when you submit your application whether pickup is an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport if it is still valid?

Yes. You do not have to wait for your passport to expire to renew it. The process and fees are the same whether your passport is expired or still valid. Many people renew early if they have travel plans coming up or if their passport will expire soon after a planned trip.

What if my passport was damaged in the mail after I received it?

A damaged passport must be renewed in person, not by mail. Bring the damaged passport, a new photo, Form DS-11, and payment to a passport agency. You will need to explain what happened to the passport, but damage that occurred after you received it does not disqualify you from renewal — it just means you must go in person.

Do I need a new photo if I am renewing by mail?

Yes. You must submit a new passport photo with every renewal, whether you are renewing by mail or in person. The photo must be 2x2 inches, taken within the last six months, and meet State Department requirements (plain background, both ears visible, neutral expression). You can have photos taken at most post offices, pharmacies, and portrait studios.

How long does it take to get a passport if I am renewing in person at a passport agency?

Standard processing at a passport agency takes one to three weeks, though some agencies offer same-day or next-day service if you arrive early or pay for expedited processing. Call your local agency to ask what their current wait times are, as this varies by location and season.

What if I made a mistake on my application after I mailed it?

Contact the passport processing center listed on your receipt or confirmation number. If the mistake is minor, they may be able to correct it without sending your application back to you. If they cannot, they will mail you a letter asking you to resubmit the corrected form, which will delay your passport.