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Keeping a passport current prevents last-minute scrambles and awkward calls to airlines. Renewal is simple once eligibility is clear, photos meet the rules, and fees match the request. The process now splits between an online path and a mail-in packet, each with the same standards and timelines. A little prep saves weeks: check the right form, print a clean photo, and choose routine or expedited service based on real travel dates. What follows lays out each move in plain language, with notes that avert common delays.
Confirm Renewal Eligibility
Most adults qualify for Form DS-82 if the last passport is undamaged, issued at age 16 or older, issued within the past 15 years, and available to submit. Name changes ride along with legal proof; lost or stolen books require DS-11 in person. Children always apply in person with DS-11. Acceptance facilities do not process DS-82 renewals or charge the execution fee for them. Locking these basics first prevents a rejected packet and keeps the timeline realistic.
Choose Online Or Mail
Eligible travelers can renew online through the State Department account portal or by mail with a signed DS-82. Online allows card payment and digital photo upload; mail uses a check or money order and a printed photo. Processing speed is the same, so pick the route that fits comfort and access to a printer or scanner. If details are complex, the paper path remains forgiving. Either way, accuracy matters more than the channel used to submit.
Gather The Required Items
Set aside the most recent passport book or card, one compliant photo taken within six months, any name change document, and the correct fee. The old passport travels with the application and returns by separate mail. Do not send a cover or holder. Digital filters, heavy edits, and AI touched images fail quickly. A short checklist before sealing the envelope prevents weeks of avoidable back-and-forth with a processing center and keeps travel plans intact.
Take A Photo That Passes The Test
Use a plain white or off-white background, look straight at the camera, and remove glasses unless a documented medical or religious exception applies. The photo must be 2×2 inches with head size between 1 and 1⅜ inches from chin to crown. Keep the expression neutral, the image sharp, and the lighting even with no deep shadows. Print on photo paper, not office paper. A correct photo is the fastest insurance against status notes and reprints.
Complete Form DS-82 Cleanly
Fill the DS-82 form filler, print, sign, and date in ink. For mail, pay by personal check or money order to U.S. Department of State, and write the full name and date of birth on the memo line. Select optional services if needed, such as expedited processing or one to two day return delivery for books. Keep a copy for records. Acceptance facilities should not collect DS-82 packets or charge the execution fee for them.
Know Today’s Fees
Fees depend on product. The adult passport book is $130, the card is $30, and both together are $160. Expedited processing adds $60. One to two day return delivery after issuance adds $22.05 for books; cards ship First-Class and do not use that service. Use a single payment per application, not cash. A last glance at the current fee table before submitting prevents underpayment holds that stall files for days.
Assemble And Send The Packet
For mail-in renewals, include the signed DS-82, the most recent passport, one photo, fee payment, and any legal proof of name change. Follow the address listed for routine or expedited service, and use a trackable delivery method such as USPS Priority Mail or a courier with tracking. Do not staple through the photo unless the instructions specify it. Keep the tracking number, a scan of the form, and a quick photo of the envelope.
Track Status The Smart Way
Status usually appears online about two weeks after mailing, once the packet is received and entered. Expect a quiet stretch while payment clears and the file lands on a specialist’s desk. After that, the portal shows steps such as received, in process, approved, and mailed, and email updates arrive if provided. Postal tracking covers the trip in. The portal covers everything after, which removes guesswork and reduces the urge to call.
Plan Around Real Processing Times
Posted times place routine processing around four to six weeks and expedited around two to three, not counting mailing in either direction. Urgent travel within 14 days, or 28 days if a visa is required, calls for an appointment at a passport agency with proof of travel. Faster return delivery helps after issuance but does not shorten processing. Building a small cushion keeps plans intact if volumes spike after holidays.
Handle Special Situations Early
First-time adults, all minors, damaged passports, or any lost or stolen cases must apply in person with DS-11 and acceptable ID. Eligible travelers in the United States can choose online renewal for routine cases; those abroad should follow local embassy instructions for mail-in service or appointments. Seasonal acceptance events help first-timers, while DS-82 renewals bypass those counters entirely. Starting the right path early prevents detours later.