Here's How Long It Takes to Renew a Passport

Before booking that ticket, there's one thing you need to do right now: Double-check the expiration date on your passport. Since U.S. passports are valid for up to 10 years, it's understandably easy to forget when exactly it needs to be renewed (especially if you don't use it all that often). This seemingly small detail could result in a travel disaster.

How long does it take to renew a passport?

Passport processing times vary depending on demand. During the spring and summer months, you can expect to wait 10 to 13 weeks for routine processing and seven to nine weeks if you go the expedited route for an extra fee. According to the State Department website, the period between October to December is typically less busy, resulting in faster turnaround. Bear in mind, however, that the processing times do not include the shipping time. If you want to receive your passport faster after processing, you can pay extra for a one- to two-day delivery service.

If your passport's time is almost up, don't wait — start the renewal process now. You can’t travel while your renewal application is being processed, and it's wise to ensure your travel documents are valid for at least six months past the dates of any planned international trips.

Can your passport be renewed?

Before you begin the renewal process, make sure your most recent passport meets the following criteria:

• It has never been reported as lost or stolen.
  
• It was issued within the last 15 years.
  
• It was issued when you were age 16 or older.
  
• It’s not damaged (beyond light wear and tear).
• It was issued in your current name, or you can provide documentation of your name change.
• It can be submitted with your application.

Passports that have been lost or stolen cannot be renewed, and neither can those issued to children under 16. If your passport is not eligible for a renewal, you'll have to apply for a new passport in person. Processing times for new passports are about the same as for renewals.

How do you renew your passport by mail?

If you’re an adult renewing a 10-year passport and meet all the requirements, you can do so by mail.

To renew by mail, you’ll have to fill out a DS-82 form and mail it 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 to a passport processing center with USPS. For faster shipping, you can purchase Priority Mail Express.

Once you’ve submitted it, you can track your application status online. For approximate processing times, see above.

How do you renew your passport in person?

If you don’t meet all of the requirements to renew by mail, you can apply in person at an acceptance facility (usually a local post office, public library, or government office). You’ll need to bring a filled-out DS-11 form, evidence and a photocopy of U.S. citizenship (like a previous passport or your birth certificate), an ID and a photocopy of that ID, and a valid photo (some acceptance facilities provide photo services for an additional fee).  

For an urgent situation (like a life-or-death emergency) that requires an immediate renewal for international travel within 72 hours, you can make an in-person appointment at a passport agency or center. There’s also an option for urgent international travel plans within 14 calendar days that don’t involve a life-or-death emergency and foreign visas within 28 calendar days. For this, you’ll have to call to make an appointment at a passport agency and provide proof of your upcoming travel. 

There are passport agencies and centers in most major U.S. cities. You can use the State Department’s list of locations to find the one nearest you. Be aware that you will have to call ahead — they do not take walk-ins and you cannot make an appointment online. 

If you’re a U.S. citizen living abroad, head over to your nearest embassy or consulate and check what their process is to renew your passport. Each embassy has different procedures but you will most likely have to apply in person.    

How much does it cost to renew a passport?

There are different fees associated with applying for a passport book or card. (Note that both the book and card serve as proof of your American citizenship, however, the passport card cannot be used for international air travel, only re-entry into the U.S. by land or sea.) 

If you’re an adult (age 16 or above), you will have to pay $130 for a passport book and $30 for a card whether you're applying for the first time or renewing. Expedited service costs an extra $60. For kids, passport books cost $35, plus a $100 application fee, while cards cost $35 each, plus a $15 application fee.

If you want to speed up the shipping time, one to two-day delivery will cost you $19.53. Whether you’re paying by mail or in person, it’s best to submit a 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 places may have options to pay by card or cash.  

When should you renew your passport?

Sooner is always better when it comes to travel plans, particularly if you’re going overseas. While it’s best to think about renewing a year out from the expiration date, at the very least you need to begin about four months before you plan to travel.

Remember that passport processing begins when a passport agency receives your application, not the day you apply. It may take two weeks from the day you mail your application until it’s “In Process.” So plan for a 15-week interval until you receive your new passport. 

While the U.S. allows travelers to use a passport until the exact date listed on the front page, that's not the case for many other countries. For example, if you want to check out the natural beauty of New Zealand, your passport needs to be valid for another three months past your trip. Want to spend a week on the beach in Thailand? Six months. Even though some countries have more lenient requirements, it's better to play it safe. You can search for the specific requirements of different countries on the State Department's website.

Also, keep in mind that most countries require you to have a specific number of blank visa pages to enter the country. If you’re running out of blank pages, you will have to apply for a new passport — it's no longer possible to add pages to a passport book. Most passport books include 17 blank pages for visa stamps (there is an option for a larger book with 43 blank pages). The standard requirement is one or two blank pages but you can check for your destination on this handy chart to make sure.