The passport up for renewal must have been issued within the last 15 years. The applicant must have been age 16 or older at the time their last passport was issued. The passport must be sent in undamaged and unaltered. If any of these standards cannot be met, the applicant is not eligible for passport renewal and must go through the full passport application process as if it were the first time applying for a passport.
Applicants eligible for renewal must complete Form DS-82. Applicants may either fill the form out online and print the completed document or print the blank document and fill out the form by hand using black ink.
Along with the form, applicants must send their last passport (book or card) and current passport fees (listed on the U.S. Department of State website) to the address listed on the form. If the applicant's name has changed, provide legal documentation citing the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Applicants must also send in two identical 2-by-2 inch photos taken within the last six months. Photos must meet passport requirements: They must be a forward-facing headshot in color, with the head taking up between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inch of the photo, taken against a solid white or off-white background.
If the applicant is a U.S. citizen currently residing in Canada, submit Form DS-82 and all other required documentation to the United States address listed on Form DS-82. The renewed U.S. passport will be sent to the Canadian address.
If the applicant is living abroad in a country other than Canada, apply for passport renewal at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
To expedite a passport, send in a $60 check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State in addition to regular passport fees. Mark the "Expedite" option on the side of the package containing all payment and documentation. U.S. Department of State suggests overnight delivery services to and from the Passport Agency.
Send in all personal documentation in secure packaging, using a traceable delivery method such as USPS Certified Mail or USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, as recommend by the U.S. Department of State.
Any applicant who is more than $2,500 behind in child support payments cannot be issued a U.S. passport. Proper child support payments must be made before applying for a passport or passport renewal.
