There’s a lot of information out there regarding what to know when you’re applying for a U.S. passport for the first time, which can be a daunting process. But in some ways, renewing your passport can be just as complicated.
Passports are typically valid for 10 years for those ages 16 and older, and for 5 years for children ages 15 and younger. After it expires, you’ll need to renew. And while many people only renew a passport when it has or is about to expire, that’s not the only reason to do so. You might also want to renew your passport if it’s lost or stolen, if you’ve changed your name, if you need to correct an error, or if you’ve simply run out of visa pages.
The good news: The process is getting easier—provided you know what’s changed (and what hasn’t). Here’s what to know if your passport is up for renewal.
Can I renew my passport online?
Yes—finally. After years of pilot programs and delays, the U.S. State Department has begun rolling out an online passport renewal system. It’s somewhat limited, but it is expanding.
n general, you can renew online if your most recent passport was issued for a full 10-year validity period, you were 16 or older at the time (and are now 25 or older), and the passport is undamaged and still in your possession. You also must be applying from within a U.S. state or territory, not making major changes to your personal information, such as your name, and not traveling for at least six weeks from the date you will submit your application.
If you don’t meet those requirements, you will need to renew by mail.
What form(s) do I need to renew a passport?
The State Department’s website has a handy questionnaire to help users figure out which forms they need.
For most travelers, renewing a passport is relatively straightforward. Standard renewals are handled with the U.S. Department of State’s Form DS-82, titled “U.S. Passport Renewal Application For Eligible Individuals,” which can be submitted by mail or, in some cases, online.
However, a few situations require a different approach.
If your last passport was lost or stolen, if it was issued to you before you were 16, or if it was issued more than 15 years ago, you’ll need to fill out form DS-11, titled “Application for a U.S. Passport,” and will have to apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, which includes designated post offices, public libraries, clerk of court offices, or other government offices. (You can find the one closest to you on the U.S. Department of State website.)
If your last passport had limited validity (less than a decade for adults) or if you are correcting a passport error, there’s another form for that, DS-5504. This is also the form for changing your name within a year of having your passport issued. If your name changed due to marriage after more than a year since your passport was issued, use form DS-82 and submit proof of identification showing your married name. Special forms are also necessary for reporting a lost or stolen passport or one that never successfully arrived at your address by mail.
What else do I need to submit?
What you’ll need to submit depends in part on how you’re renewing—online or by mail—but the core requirements are largely the same. In all cases, you’ll be asked to provide a recent passport photo taken within the last six months, along with details from your most recent passport or proof of citizenship.
If you’re renewing by mail, you’ll need to physically send in your most recent passport along with your completed application. That passport will be canceled and returned to you separately after your new one is issued. You’ll also need to submit a printed passport photo, which must be in color, taken within the last six months, and sized to the standard two-by-two-inch dimensions. Most people get these taken at drugstores, shipping centers like UPS or FedEx, or photography studios, where staff are familiar with the requirements and can print them correctly.
Rules for your passport photo
The rules for the photo are fairly strict. You can’t wear glasses, use filters or retouching tools, or submit a selfie. Your expression should be neutral, and the image needs to be taken against a white background. If you opt to take the photo at home, you can have a friend or family member snap it—as long as it meets all the guidelines for framing, lighting, and expression. Once printed, the photo needs to be in pristine condition; bent, creased, or damaged images can lead to delays or rejection.
If you’re eligible to renew online, the process is more streamlined. Instead of mailing in documents, you’ll enter your passport details digitally and upload a digital photo. The image needs to be taken within the past six months and saved in a compatible format such as JPG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF (which most smartphones already use). The file size must fall within a specific range—roughly 54 kilobytes to 10 megabytes—and, like printed photos, it must be in color, taken against a plain white background, and free of filters or editing.
You’ll need to have someone else take the photo for you (selfies still don’t qualify), and your shoulders should be visible at the bottom of the frame. When you upload the image, the system will check that it meets basic requirements, and you’ll be able to crop or reposition it within the tool. Even so, the photo will be reviewed again after submission, and if it doesn’t pass, you’ll be asked to provide a new one—which can slow down your application.
As soon as you hit submit on the online application (or send in your passport by mail), your current passport is effectively canceled. That means that you cannot travel outside the country while you are awaiting your new passport, unless you qualify for and use a second U.S. passport. If you travel internationally often—especially to destinations that require visas—it may be worth looking into a second passport. It allows you to keep moving while another passport is tied up in processing and can help you sidestep the need to pay for expedited service just to make your trip.
How much does it cost to renew a passport?
An adult passport book renewal costs $130, while an optional passport card renewal costs an additional $30. A passport card can be used as identification for domestic air travel and also at land and sea ports of entry from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico. It can’t, however, be substituted for a passport when traveling by air to international destinations.
For children under 16, there isn’t a true “renewal” option—they must apply for a new passport each time using Form DS-11, rather than the standard DS-82 renewal form. The fee for a child’s passport book is $100, plus a separate $35 acceptance fee, since all applications for minors must be submitted in person.
How long does it take to get a passport renewed?
According to the State Department, a routine processing time for a passport renewal is four to six weeks (or two to three if expediting).
What is the quickest I can renew a passport?
If you use the State Department’s expedited service, you can get a new passport in two to three weeks for an additional $60, plus any shipping costs. However, you cannot renew online when using the expedited service—you can either apply for an expedited renewal at an acceptance facility or by mail (if it’s the latter, you will need to factor in mailing times as well).
As with a regular renewal, the stipulations are that you must have the passport in your possession (to submit with your application), the passport must be undamaged, issued when you were age 16 or older, issued within the last 15 years, and issued to your current name.
Travelers with a life-or-death emergency needing to travel within 14 days or those with urgent travel plans who need to travel in less than two to three weeks may also be able to secure an in-person appointment at a passport acceptance facility, which can further cut down on turnaround time. You can make the appointment online, or call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment.
Third-party expediting services, like RushMyPassport.com, are another option, although they don’t actually speed up government processing—they mainly help manage paperwork and logistics, often for an added fee.
Can I renew a passport if it has expired?
You can renew your passport at any time while it is valid or up to five years after it has expired. After that time frame, you must apply for a new one.
Renewing a U.S. passport can be done online or by mail, depending on eligibility and the condition of your current document.
Photo by Shutterstock.com
What if I have a trip coming up?
Many countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the date you enter the country. It’s a buffer meant to prevent travelers from ending up abroad with an expired document. While not every destination enforces this rule, enough do so that it’s become a standard guideline. Airlines often apply the rule at check-in, sometimes denying boarding even if the country itself doesn’t. Keep an eye on your passport expiration date so that you can begin the renewal process before then in case you have upcoming travel.
If you must travel in a hurry or due to an emergency and your passport is valid for less than six months, contact your airline or travel agent to see if you can use your existing passport. If that fails, try expediting the passport renewal.
What else should I know about renewing a passport?
Any time you send away important personal documents, it is a good idea to snap a photo of each in case you need to report something missing in the mail.
And once you have a new passport, don’t forget to update your Global Entry, where your Trusted Traveler information is stored, as well as any other expedited screening programs tied to your passport number (like NEXUS). You might have a shiny new passport, but without updating your information, you’ll be stuck in the regular security lines.
This article was originally published in 2023; it was updated on March 26, 2026 by Bailey Berg with additional information.
