Renew Your U.S. Passport
Renewing a passport by mail involves more than completing a form. You must confirm that you qualify, prepare the correct application, meet the passport photo requirements, arrange the government payment, and mail everything correctly.
If you don’t qualify for mail renewal, we route you to the correct in-person form (DS-11) automatically — before you pay.
Government fees$130 government application fee, paid to the U.S. Department of State. Optional expedited service for urgent travel adds the State Department's $60 expedite fee plus $26.87 for 1–3 day return delivery of a passport book ($86.87 together).
US Passport Assist brings these steps together in one guided service. We help confirm the appropriate application, prepare your Form DS-82, review your information and photo, and organize your renewal package so you can submit it with greater clarity and confidence.
When Can You Renew Your Passport?
You can generally renew your U.S. passport by mail if your most recent passport:
- Can be submitted with your application
- Is undamaged, except for normal wear and tear
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older
- Was issued within the last 15 years
- Was valid for the regular 10-year period
- Shows your current legal name. If your name has changed since the passport was issued, select our Passport Name Change service so we can determine the appropriate form and supporting documents for your situation.
If any of these conditions do not apply, you may need to submit a new passport application in person instead of renewing by mail. US Passport Assist reviews your answers and helps identify the appropriate application process before your package is prepared.
What Do You Need to Renew Your Passport?
You will generally need:
- Your most recent U.S. passport book, passport card, or both, depending on what you are renewing
- A completed and signed Form DS-82
- One printed passport photo that meets government requirements
- Applicable government fees
Missing information, an incorrect payment, an unacceptable photo, or an improperly prepared application may delay processing. US Passport Assist helps you avoid these common issues by reviewing your application details and photo and providing a personalized checklist with clear submission instructions.
How the Passport Renewal Process Works
- Provide your information
Complete our online questionnaire. We review your answers to help confirm that Passport Renewal is the appropriate service for your situation.
- We prepare and review your application
We prepare your Form DS-82, review your information and passport photo, and prepare the government payment that goes in with your application.
- We organize and send your package
We arrange your prepared application, personalized checklist, and detailed instructions and send the package to you. This gives you one organized set of materials instead of requiring you to determine each step on your own.
- Review, sign, and mail your application
Follow the provided instructions to review and sign your application, add your passport and government payment, and mail the completed package to the U.S. Department of State. A passport acceptance-facility visit is generally not required for renewal by mail.
- Track your application
Once your renewal application has been submitted, you can follow its progress while the U.S. Department of State processes it.
Renew Your Passport With Confidence
US Passport Assist makes passport renewal easier by guiding you through the requirements, preparing your application, reviewing important details, and organizing your mailing package. With clear instructions and support at every step, you can submit your renewal application with greater confidence.
Common questions
Can I renew my passport by mail?
You can renew by mail with Form DS-82 if your passport is undamaged, in your possession, issued when you were 16 or older, issued within the last 15 years, and in your current name or a name you can document. The application asks about your most recent passport and confirms this before you pay anything.
How long does a passport renewal take?
Routine State Department processing is currently about 4–6 weeks; expedited government processing (the State Department's $60 expedite fee, plus $26.87 for 1–3 day return delivery of a passport book) is about 2–3 weeks. Our service tiers control how fast your application is reviewed, prepared, and mailed — the government clock starts when they receive it.
Do I have to send in my old passport?
Yes. A mail renewal requires your most recent passport to be submitted with the DS-82; the State Department returns it to you, usually separately from your new passport.
More answers in the FAQ hub.