Are you wondering how long it takes to renew your passport? You’re not alone. A ton of people are unsure of the processing times for passport renewal, and this can be a source of stress, especially if you have upcoming travel plans.
In this article, we’ll answer the question, “How long does it take to renew a passport?” We’ll also provide information on how to expedite the process if you need your passport quickly.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport Renewed?
Passport processing times vary, but according to the State Department website, you should expect to wait six to nine weeks for routine processing and three to five weeks for expedited processing for a fee of $60.
If your passport is about to expire, don’t put it off any longer; begin the renewal process right away. You are unable to travel while your renewal application is being processed, and your travel documents must be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of any planned international trips.
How Does One Renew a Passport by Mail?
If you’re an adult renewing a 10-year passport, you can do so by mail if you have access to your previous passport, it’s undamaged, it was issued when you were 16 or older, it was issued within the last 15 years, and it’s under your current name or you have documentation of a name change.
To renew by mail, fill out a DS-82 form (which costs $130) and mail it to a passport processing center with USPS along with your most recent passport, name change documentation (if applicable), a recent photo, and any fees in the form of a personal check or money order.
You can check the status of your application online after you’ve submitted it. By mail, you’ll most likely have to wait the standard six to eight weeks. You can pay an extra $60 for expedited service to get your passport in three to five weeks, and you can pay an extra $60 for one- to two-day delivery, which means your passport will be shipped to you one to two days after it is printed.
How Do You Renew Your Passport in Person?
If you do not meet all of the requirements for mail renewal, you can apply in person at an acceptance facility (typically a local post office, public library, or government office). You must bring a completed DS-11 form, proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a previous passport or birth certificate), an ID and a photocopy of that ID, and a valid photo (some acceptance facilities charge a fee for photo services).
You can make an in-person appointment at a passport agency or center if you have an urgent situation (such as a life or death emergency) that requires an immediate renewal for international travel within 72 hours. There is also an option for urgent international travel plans that must be completed within 14 calendar days and do not involve a life-or-death emergency. You must call a passport agency to schedule an appointment and provide proof of your upcoming travel.
Most major U.S. cities have passport offices and centers. You can locate one near you by using the State Department’s list of locations. You must call ahead because they do not accept walk-ins and you cannot make an appointment online.
If you are a US citizen living abroad, go to your nearest embassy or consulate to find out how to renew your passport. Each embassy has its own set of rules, but you will almost certainly need to apply in person.
How to Expedite a Passport Renewal
Renewing your passport through routine processing can take up to 8 to 10 weeks. Processing times vary according to the seasonality of the US passport agency, with applications being more prevalent in the spring and summer. Many people who do not require expediting can work within this timeframe to renew their passport.
However, many US citizens believe that 8 weeks or more (2 months) is too long to wait, especially if they have last-minute plans or discovered that their passport has expired and they need it sooner. For those who require it sooner than 8 weeks, let’s look at how quickly you can expedite a passport renewal and the faster expediting options for renewing your passport.
Passport Renewal at the Post Office
How long are passports valid? In general, a US passport is valid for ten years, and making an appointment at a Post Office is one of the quickest ways to renew your passport after it expires. They will review your application for an expired passport before sending it to their regional passport center for processing. In this “routine” manner, the typical passport application timeline is 10-12 weeks. You can pay an additional $60 fee to expedite the renewal of your passport. When paying this fee, you should typically allow for 4-6 weeks when requesting expedited service by mail with overnight shipping to and from the passport processing center.
Advantages of Expediting at a Post Office
- For an additional $60, you can cut your passport application processing time in half.
- If you have the time and don’t mind driving to a Post Office, this is a viable option.
The Drawbacks of Expediting at the Post Office
- Appointments are required at many post offices.
- If there is a problem, you are notified weeks later and must typically apply for a passport via mail.
Passport Renewal Expedited at a Passport Agency
If you have access to a local Passport Agency, there are over 20 across the country where you can make an appointment, wait for your appointment for an expedited passport application, and hand off your passport renewal application directly there. Typically, 3 days or so later is the timeframe for renewing your passport in this manner, after which you drive back to the Passport Agency and pick up your new passport.
Advantages of Expediting at a Passport Agency
- After your appointment, you can usually get your passsport in 3 days or less for an additional $60.
The Drawbacks of Applying for Passport Renewal at a Passport Agency
- Appointments are required at all Passport Agencies.
- It usually takes one trip to apply and a second trip to pick up your application.
- You might not be able to find a Passport Agency near you.
How to Renew Your Passport Quickly Using a Private Passport Courier Service
This method provides personalized service in expediting passport and greater convenience in renewing your US passport quickly.
Advantages of Using a Passport Service
- Fast passport renewal on par with an appointment at a Passport Agency, with same-day/24-hour processing available at times.
- Your expedited passport application is reviewed and managed by trained passport specialists when you use a passport expediting company. They catch any mistakes before they are submitted, and if there are any issues during the application process, they deal directly with the Passport Agency to resolve them as soon as possible. If something is wrong, you will receive a phone call rather than a letter in the mail.
- Peace of mind – If you have an upcoming trip, waiting times for passport renewal can be extremely stressful, especially as your departure date approaches.
The Drawbacks of Using a Passport Service
- As a private company, they charge additional fees for our services and speed.
What Is the Cost of Renewing a Passport?
There are various fees associated with obtaining a passport book or card. (It should be noted that both the book and the card serve as proof of your American citizenship; however, the passport card cannot be used for international air travel, only for re-entry into the United States by land or sea.)
If you are an adult (age 16 or older), you must pay $130 for a passport book and $30 for a card, whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your passport. Passport books and cards for children under the age of 16 cost $35 each.
Of course, we already mentioned the $60 expedited fee, but one to two-day delivery will set you back $18.32. If paying by mail or in person, make your check (personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s) or money order payable to the “U.S. Department of State.” Checks and money orders are widely accepted, though some establishments may accept payment by card or cash.
When Is the Best Time to Renew Your Passport?
When it comes to travel plans, the sooner the better, especially if you’re going abroad. While it’s probably best to start thinking about renewing a year before the expiration date, you should start at least three months before you plan to travel.
Keep in mind that passport processing begins when a passport agency receives your application, not on the day you apply. It could take up to two weeks from the time you mail your application to the time it says “In Process.” Then, routine processing can take up to 10 weeks, so allow for a 12-week wait before receiving your new passport.
While the United States allows travelers to use a passport until the exact date listed on the front page, many other countries do not. For example, if you want to visit New Zealand’s natural beauty, your passport must be valid for another three months after your trip. Want to spend a week on a Thai beach? Sixty days. (For specific requirements for different countries, visit the State Department’s website.) Even if some countries have more lenient requirements, it is best to be safe.
Keep in mind that most countries require you to have a certain number of blank visa pages in order to enter. If you run out of blank pages in your passport, you must apply for a new one; it is no longer possible to add pages to a passport book. Most passport books include 17 blank pages for visa stamps (a larger book with 43 blank pages is available). The standard requirement is one or two blank pages, but you can double-check with this handy chart to make sure.
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