Read the requirements for passport renewal on the U.S. State Department's Renew Passport web page. Your passport must be undamaged, issued when you were age 16 or older, issued within the last 15 years and issued in your current name, unless you have a legal document, like a marriage certificate or court order, to prove your name change. If you do not meet all of these requirements, you cannot renew your passport. Follow the instructions on the Travel.State.gov website for a passport using application form DS11.
Gather the required forms and documents necessary to renew your passport. You'll need form DS 82, found on the U.S. State Department website or at a passport agency, post office, public library or passport acceptance facility. You'll also need your current passport and a passport-size photo. If your name has changed since your current passport was issued include your marriage certificate or court order.
Use the United Stated Postal Service's online Services Locator to find a post office with passport application services. Make an appointment, if necessary. Ask if the office will snap your passport photo.
Have a professional passport photo service take your passport photograph if this service isn't offered at your post office. Many photography shops, drugstores or mailing centers offer this service, such as Sears Portrait Studio (searsportrait.com), CVS drugstore (cvsphoto.com) or FedEx (fedex.com). Alternately, take your photograph yourself following the U.S. State Department's guidelines. Ensure the sizing and positioning of the photograph meet all of the requirements or your passport renewal application will be rejected.
Complete form DS 82, the U.S. passport renewal application. Complete the form online by clicking the link on the U.S. State Department's Passport by Mail: DS 82 web page. Agree to the Department of State's Privacy and Computer Fraud and Abuse Acts Notices and Disclaimers and click "submit." On the following web page choose the "submit" button under "Apply Online" to be directed to the online application. Print the form when completed. Remember to sign and date the form.
Bring the required forms and documents, you passport photo and your soon-to-expire passport to the post office. Be on time for your appointment. Submit the documents to the passport official.
Pay the application fee of $110, at the time of publication. You do not need to pay the $25 acceptance fee for a passport renewal. Review the USPS Passport Application Information web page for accepted payment methods by the Department of State, which include personal checks and money orders.
Gather the required forms and documents necessary for a passport renewal using form DS 82. Have your passport photo taken by a professional photography service.
Staple your passport photo to the application within the space provided using four vertical staples. Package form DS 82, your spare passport photo, your current passport and your marriage certificate or court order (if necessary) in a padded, weather-proof envelope large enough to hold the documents without folding them. Do not use a number-10 sized envelope, which is 4 1/8 inches by 9 1/2 inches. Insert a check or money order for the application fee, which is $110 for an adult passport renewal at the time of publication.
Travel to your local U.S. post office. Ship the package to the National Passport Processing Center, P. O. Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155. Use a traceable shipping method such as U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Express Mail, Delivery Confirmation, Signature Confirmation, Certified Mail or Registered Mail.
