Passport Renewal: Requirements, Fees, and Processing Times

You can renew a U.S. passport online or by mail with Form DS-82 if your most recent passport was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and is undamaged and in your possession. As of February 2026, a passport book renewal costs $130, routine processing runs four to six weeks, and expedited service runs two to three weeks, with mailing time on top of both. The renewal track skips the in-person visit that first-time applicants have to make.

Who Qualifies

You can use the renewal process only if all of these are true:

Your most recent passport was issued when you were at least 16.
It was issued less than 15 years ago. An expired passport still counts as long as it falls inside that window.
It is undamaged and has not been reported lost or stolen.
Your current legal name matches the passport, or you can document the change.

If any of those fails, you have to apply in person using Form DS-11, which adds a $35 execution fee paid to the acceptance facility.¹ The usual disqualifiers are a passport first issued in childhood, one that expired more than 15 years ago, or one that was lost, stolen, or badly damaged.²

Renewing Online

The State Department’s Online Passport Renewal system lets eligible citizens renew a book or card entirely online. It’s the most convenient option, but it comes with limits on top of the general eligibility rules. You cannot change your name, sex, or other personal information through it, and it currently supports routine processing only. If you need any of those, renew by mail.³

To renew online you need your current passport, a credit or debit card, and a digital photo that meets the State Department’s specs. The system walks you through uploading the photo and entering your information. After the new passport is approved and mailed, you send the old one back to be canceled, and the State Department returns it separately.

Renewing by Mail With Form DS-82

If online isn’t an option, or you need expedited service, mail-in with DS-82 is the standard route. Download the form from the State Department’s site or pick one up at many post offices. Fill it in with black ink and include your Social Security number, which is required by federal law.

Your envelope should contain:

Completed Form DS-82.
Your most recent passport (book or card, matching what you’re renewing).
One passport photo that meets current requirements.
Payment by personal check or money order to “U.S. Department of State.”
Original or certified name change documentation if applicable.

The State Department recommends mailing with a tracking number. For expedited service, write “EXPEDITE” on the outside of the envelope and include the extra fee. The mailing address depends on whether you choose routine or expedited service.¹

Photo Requirements

A rejected photo is one of the most common reasons renewals get sent back. Whether you renew online or by mail, your photo must be:

In color, 2 by 2 inches for print, or meeting the digital upload specs online.
Taken within the last six months.
Shot against a plain white or off-white background.
A full-face view with a neutral expression or a natural smile.

Eyeglasses are not allowed in passport photos, even prescription glasses. That rule has been in effect since 2016 and catches a lot of people off guard. Hats and head coverings are prohibited unless worn daily for religious reasons.⁴

If Your Name Has Changed

A legal name change doesn’t force you into the in-person process, but it does rule out online renewal. You’ll need to mail your DS-82 with original or certified copies of one of the following:

A certified marriage certificate.
A divorce decree that shows the name change.
A court order for a legal name change.

The State Department returns these originals after verifying them.¹ If you can’t produce any of them, you don’t qualify for renewal and have to apply in person with DS-11.⁵

Book, Card, or Both

You can renew a passport book, a passport card, or both. The book is valid for all international travel, including flights. The card is wallet-sized and cheaper but works only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It cannot be used for international air travel.⁶

If you already have a book and want to add a card for the first time, you can do it through the renewal process. The same works in reverse.⁷

Fees

As of February 2026, the fees for renewals using DS-82 are:

Passport book: $130.
Passport card: $30.
Both book and card: $160.
Expedited processing: $60 added to the application fee.
1-to-3-day return delivery: $22.05, for passport books mailed to U.S. addresses only.

Mail-in renewals require a personal check or money order to “U.S. Department of State.” Online renewals accept credit and debit cards.⁶

Processing Times and Tracking

Routine service currently takes four to six weeks. Expedited service takes two to three weeks. Neither figure includes mailing time, which can add up to two weeks in each direction.⁸ If you’re already paying for expedited service by mail, the $22.05 for 1-to-3-day return delivery removes most of the back-end mailing delay.

Once you’ve submitted, track your application at passportstatus.state.gov. The new passport and the old canceled one are mailed separately, so don’t worry if they arrive on different days. The old book comes back with holes punched through it, but keep it anyway if it holds active visa stamps.

If Your Passport Is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

Renewal isn’t available in this case. Report the passport first — the State Department’s online form filler cancels it within one business day, and Form DS-64 is the mail alternative. Reporting doesn’t replace it. You’ll need to apply in person on Form DS-11 with proof of citizenship, a photo ID, a new photo, and the applicable fees.⁹

Renewing From Abroad

Citizens living overseas generally renew through their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate on the same DS-82. Procedures vary: some posts accept mail-in applications, some require an appointment, and some allow both. Check your embassy’s site for local instructions.¹⁰ The domestic online renewal system typically requires a U.S. mailing address, so most people abroad can’t use it.

Tax Debt Can Block a Renewal

The IRS can stop you from getting a new passport if you owe a large amount in overdue federal taxes. Under federal law, the IRS certifies “seriously delinquent tax debt” to the State Department, which then denies the application. The base threshold is $50,000, adjusted annually for inflation, so the current figure is somewhat higher.¹¹ The debt has to have been formally assessed, with either a tax lien filed or a levy issued. If you’re on a payment plan or have a pending appeal, the certification generally doesn’t apply. If your balance is anywhere near that range, resolve it before applying.

Renew Before You Have To

Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date. A passport with four months left on it is technically unexpired but can still get you turned away at the border. A practical rule: start the renewal about nine months before expiration. That builds in a buffer for routine processing and keeps you clear of the six-month rule overseas.

1
U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals
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U.S. Department of State. Apply for Your Adult Passport
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U.S. Department of State. Renew Your Passport Online
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U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos
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U.S. Department of State. Renew an Adult Passport
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U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees
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U.S. Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Services
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U.S. Department of State. How to Get My U.S. Passport Fast
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U.S. Department of State. Report Your Passport Lost or Stolen
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U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France. Passport Instructions
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 USC 7345 – Revocation or Denial of Passport in Case of Certain Tax Delinquencies