The U.S. passport renewal process runs through one of two channels for most adults: a mail-in application on Form DS-82, or an online renewal at opr.travel.state.gov if you meet a narrower set of conditions. Routine processing currently takes four to six weeks once the State Department has your application, and you should add roughly two weeks of mail time on each end. Expedited service cuts processing to two to three weeks for an extra $60.1Travel.State.Gov. Processing Times for U.S. Passports
Can You Renew by Mail
Mail-in renewal uses Form DS-82 and skips the in-person appearance required of first-time applicants. You qualify if all of the following are true:2U.S. Department of State. Renew Your Passport by Mail
- You have your most recent passport in your possession and can submit it with your application.
- It was issued when you were 16 or older. Passports issued to children under 16 were valid for five years and cannot be renewed by mail.
- It was issued within the last 15 years.
- It is not significantly damaged. Slightly bent pages are fine; water stains, tears, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages, or hole punches are not.
These criteria are set by federal regulation.3eCFR. 22 CFR 51.21 – Execution of Passport Application Miss any one and you have to apply in person at an acceptance facility using Form DS-11. A lost, stolen, or damaged passport always sends you to the in-person route, no matter how recent.
A name change does not disqualify you from mailing in. Include a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order that documents the change. The State Department returns originals to you by mail after processing.
Can You Renew Online
Online renewal is available through opr.travel.state.gov, but the eligibility rules are tighter than for mail-in. You can use it only if you meet every condition below:4U.S. Department of State. Renew Your Passport Online
- You are 25 or older. Applicants 16 to 24 must renew by mail.
- Your passport is expiring within one year or expired less than five years ago.
- You have no name change or other personal information change.
- You are not traveling internationally for at least six weeks. Online renewal offers only routine processing.
- You are located in a U.S. state or territory.
- Your passport is undamaged, not lost, and not reported stolen.
Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards, which is a practical advantage over the mail-in process. One catch worth knowing before you click submit: the State Department cancels your current passport the moment you file. Don’t submit an online renewal if you might need to travel on the existing book before the new one arrives.
You can also only renew the same type of document you already hold. If you have a passport book and want to add a passport card, or vice versa, use the mail-in process.
What Goes in Your Application
The Form
Form DS-82 is a downloadable PDF from the State Department. Fill in your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current mailing address. The SSN is required. Federal law imposes a $500 penalty for failing to provide it, waivable for reasonable cause.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 U.S. Code 6039E – Information Concerning Resident Status A missing signature or date is one of the most common reasons an application gets put on hold, so verify both before you seal the envelope.6U.S. Department of State. Respond to a Passport Letter or Email
The Photo
Photos are the single biggest source of delays. The requirements are strict:7U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos
- Exactly 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months.
- Plain white or off-white background, no shadows or patterns.
- Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed.
- No eyeglasses. A signed doctor’s note is required if you cannot remove them for medical reasons.
- No hats or headgear. Religious head coverings are allowed with a signed statement; medical ones need a doctor’s statement.
- No uniforms or camouflage clothing.
- No headphones or wireless earbuds.
Online renewals take a digital upload; mail-in renewals require a physical print. Pharmacies and shipping stores typically charge $15 to $17 for a compliant set, with prices ranging from about $8 to $25 depending on the retailer.
The Fees
Renewal fees for 2026:8U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees
- Passport book: $130
- Passport card: $30
- Both book and card: $160
- Expedited processing: $60 added to the application fee
- 1-3 day return delivery: $22.05, available only for passport books mailed to U.S. addresses9U.S. Department of State. Passport Fee Chart
For mail-in renewals, pay by check (personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s) or money order made out to “U.S. Department of State.” Cash is not accepted. Write your full name and date of birth on the front of the payment. Online renewal takes cards.
Mailing the Package
Your envelope needs four items: the completed DS-82, your most recent passport, your passport photo, and your payment. Include a certified name-change document if applicable. Use an envelope large enough that nothing has to be folded, since creased forms can jam intake scanning equipment.
Send it with a trackable service. Priority Mail or a comparable option gives you a delivery confirmation number, which is your only proof that sensitive documents arrived.
Both routine and expedited applications go to the National Passport Processing Center in Philadelphia, at different PO boxes:
- Routine: PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
- Expedited: PO Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
If you’re paying for expedited service, write “EXPEDITE” on the outside of the envelope so it reaches the faster queue.
How Long It Takes and How to Track It
Routine processing runs four to six weeks; expedited runs two to three weeks. Neither window includes mail transit. The State Department estimates about two weeks for your application to reach them and another two weeks for the finished passport to reach you, so plan on roughly eight to ten weeks total for routine service from the day you mail the envelope.
You can check the status on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. It usually takes a couple of weeks after mailing before the status updates to “In Process.” Processing times shift with seasonal demand and slow down before the summer travel peak.
The new passport arrives by mail. Your old, canceled passport comes in a separate shipment a few weeks later. The State Department splits them for security reasons.
If Your Application Is Put on Hold
When the State Department finds a problem, they send a letter or email called a Request for Information. You have 90 days from the date on that letter to respond.6U.S. Department of State. Respond to a Passport Letter or Email The common causes are predictable:
- Photo problems. Shadows, wrong size, glasses left on, or a non-neutral expression.
- Missing signature or date on the form.
- Wrong or missing fees.
- Forgetting to include the old passport.
- Ineligibility for mail-in renewal, most often a passport issued more than 15 years ago or issued when the applicant was under 16.
If your mailing address changes while the application is being processed, call 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793) to update it. Rerouting a passport after it ships is much harder than changing the address before.10U.S. Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Services
Getting It Faster Than Expedited
Expedited mail service still takes two to three weeks of processing. If you need the passport sooner, two options exist.
Urgent Travel Appointments
If you’re traveling internationally within two to three weeks, you can book an appointment at a regional passport agency. Appointments have to fall within 14 calendar days of the travel date, or 28 days if you also need a foreign visa. Book online through the State Department. Walk-ins are not accepted, and availability is not guaranteed.11U.S. Department of State. How to Get My U.S. Passport Fast If you’ve already mailed an application and your plans move up, call 1-877-487-2778; the agency can sometimes pull it from the regular queue.
Life-or-Death Emergencies
A separate, faster track applies if an immediate family member abroad has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury. The State Department defines immediate family narrowly: parents, children, spouses, siblings, and grandparents. Aunts, uncles, and cousins do not qualify.12U.S. Department of State. Get a Passport if You Have a Life-or-Death Emergency
You need proof of the emergency, such as a death certificate, a statement from a mortuary, or a letter on hospital letterhead signed by a doctor. Foreign-language documents must be professionally translated. You also need proof of travel within two weeks, like an itinerary or airline ticket. Traveling abroad for your own medical care does not qualify.