U.S. passports can be renewed by mail only if all of these conditions are met: The applicant's current passport was issued when he was 16 or older; it was issued within the past 15 years; it is undamaged and can be submitted with the application; it was issued in the applicant's current name or the applicant can submit legal documentation supporting a name change.
To apply by mail, applicants must complete the application form DS-82 (See Resources) and submit it along with their most recent U.S. passport, two color passport photos, the current renewal fee, and, if applicable, a marriage certificate or court order supporting a name change.
As of September 2009, it cost $75 to renew an adult passport book. Current fees are listed at www.travel.state.gov.
Those who do not meet the above requirements for a renewal by mail must renew their passports in person at an acceptance facility. These applicants use the form DS--11 (See Resources).
U.S. citizens living abroad cannot renew their passports by mail. Instead, the State Department says these applicants "should contact the nearest United States embassy or consulate for procedures to be followed when applying overseas."
Minors cannot renew their passports by mail and must do so in person at an acceptance facility, using form D-11.
