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U.S. passport renewal answers

Passport Renewal FAQs

Clear answers on renewing a U.S. passport fast: speeds, fees, who qualifies for Form DS-82 and what to send, backed by official State Department sources.

Reviewed by Philip Diack, FounderĀ· Updated October 22, 2026Ā· 30 questionsĀ· Official sources linked

Your passport renewal: speed & price
+ $216.87 government fee for an adult renewal
Business days, from when we receive your documents
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Passport renewal questions: quick answers
How fast can I renew my U.S. passport?
With us, as fast as 3-4 Days, counted in business days from when we receive your documents.
Full answer ā†“
How much does expedited passport renewal cost?
Two parts: our service fee, Emergency $449, Rush $349, Priority $249, Essential $199, and the government fee, $216.87 for an adult renewal.
Full answer ā†“
How do I renew my passport with your service?
Order online in about 10 minutes, send us your documents, and we do the rest.
Full answer ā†“
Can I renew with Form DS-82?
Yes, if your most recent passport was issued in the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older, and is undamaged.
Full answer ā†“
What do I need to renew my passport?
Your most recent passport, one new passport photo and your signed DS-82, which we prepare.
Full answer ā†“
Can I travel while my passport is being renewed?
Not internationally. Your current passport is sent in, so you wonā€™t have one until the new one arrives.
Full answer ā†“
Do it yourself
Fill in Form DS-82, get a compliant photo, pay the State Department and send everything in yourself. Routine processing currently takes 4ā€“6 weeks, or 2ā€“3 weeks expedited, plus shipping each way.
Let us handle it
We prepare your DS-82, check your photo and documents before anything is submitted, and courier your application to a passport agency, as fast as 3-4 Days, with tracked return.

How fast can you renew a passport?

How fast can I renew my U.S. passport?

With us, as fast as 3-4 Days, counted in business days from when we receive your documents.

Our speeds are Emergency 3-4 days, Rush 6 days, Priority 8 days, Essential 12 days. Every speed includes preparing your DS-82, checking your photo and documents, courier submission to a passport agency and tracked return to your door. The clock starts when your complete application reaches us, so the sooner you send it, the sooner your passport is back.

How long does passport renewal take right now?

The State Department currently quotes 4ā€“6 weeks routine or 2ā€“3 weeks expedited, plus shipping time each way.

Those government times start when your application arrives and donā€™t include the days it spends in transit in each direction, so a routine renewal can take two months door to door. With an expediting service like ours, your application is couriered to a passport agency instead, and speeds are Emergency 3-4 days, Rush 6 days, Priority 8 days, Essential 12 days.

Can I renew my passport in 2ā€“3 days?

Our fastest speed, Emergency Expedited, returns your renewed passport in 3-4 Days from when we receive your application.

Thatā€™s the quickest realistic route for a renewal: your DS-82 is prepared and checked, then couriered to a passport agency for processing and returned by tracked overnight delivery. If you fly sooner than that, call us at 800-860-8610 before you order so we can tell you honestly whatā€™s possible for your date.

Is it worth expediting my passport renewal?

If you travel in the next two months, usually yes.

Routine government processing plus shipping both ways can take around two months, and a missed trip costs far more than expediting. If your trip is further out, a slower, cheaper speed is enough. Our speeds let you pay only for the time you need: Emergency $449, Rush $349, Priority $249, Essential $199.

When should I renew my passport before an international trip?

Ideally about 9 months before it expires, as the State Department suggests.

Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, and airlines check before you board. If your passport expires within about 9 months of a trip, renew now. If time is already short, our fastest speed is 3-4 Days.

Can I renew my passport early, before it expires?

Yes. You can renew at any time; your new passport is valid for 10 years from the day itā€™s issued.

Thereā€™s no rule that you must wait until your passport expires. Renewing early is the easiest way to avoid the 6-month validity problem many countries apply. The remaining time on your old passport doesnā€™t carry over, so most people renew within the last year.

Need it fast? Our fastest speed returns your renewed passport in 3-4 Days.See renewal speeds ā†’

Passport renewal cost and fees

How much does expedited passport renewal cost?

Two parts: our service fee, Emergency $449, Rush $349, Priority $249, Essential $199, and the government fee, $216.87 for an adult renewal.

Our service fee depends on the speed you choose. The government fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State and already includes its expedite fee and 1ā€“2 day return delivery. You see both fees separately before you pay.

What is the government fee to renew a passport?

For an adult passport book renewal with expedited service, the government fee is $216.87.

Itā€™s made up of the State Departmentā€™s $130 application fee, its $60 expedite fee and its 1ā€“2 day return delivery fee. A renewal with Form DS-82 has no $35 acceptance fee, because thereā€™s no in-person step. A passport card added to your renewal costs extra.

Why are your fee and the government fee separate?

Because they pay for different things, and you should see exactly what each one is.

The government fee goes to the U.S. Department of State for issuing your passport; itā€™s the same whoever submits it. Our service fee pays for preparing and checking your application, courier submission to a passport agency and tracked return, at the speed you choose. We show both before you pay.

Does renewing an expired passport cost more?

No. An expired passport that still qualifies for Form DS-82 costs the same to renew.

What matters is whether it was issued in the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older, and is undamaged. If it doesnā€™t qualify, you apply with Form DS-11 in person, which adds the $35 acceptance fee.

Our fee and the government fee are shown separately before you pay.See my renewal price ā†’

How our passport renewal service works

How do I renew my passport with your service?

Order online in about 10 minutes, send us your documents, and we do the rest.

First, answer a few questions and choose your speed. Second, we prepare your DS-82 and tell you exactly what to send: your current passport, a new photo and your signed form, using our prepaid overnight label. Third, we check everything, courier it to a passport agency and send your new passport back by tracked overnight delivery.

What do you do, and what do I do?

We prepare, check, submit and track. You sign your form and send us your passport and photo.

We prepare your DS-82, review your photo and documents against the State Departmentā€™s rules, and coordinate courier submission to a passport agency and tracked return. You sign the form and send it with your current passport and one new photo. The government fee is $216.87 for an adult renewal. Approval is always the State Departmentā€™s decision.

Do I have to go anywhere in person to renew?

No. A Form DS-82 renewal through us needs no in-person visit anywhere.

You send us your passport, photo and signed form with our prepaid label, and our courier takes your application to a passport agency for you. Only people who canā€™t use Form DS-82 need an in-person signing, and we handle those applications too.

Can I renew my passport online if I need it fast?

Not quickly. The State Departmentā€™s online renewal canā€™t be expedited and isnā€™t open to everyone.

Online renewal is for routine processing only, so it doesnā€™t help when you have a trip coming up. For a fast renewal, we prepare your DS-82 and courier it to a passport agency, as fast as 3-4 Days.

How do I track my passport renewal?

We keep you updated at each step, and your new passport comes back by tracked overnight delivery.

Youā€™ll know when we receive your documents, when your application is submitted and when your passport is on its way, with a tracking number for the final delivery. Questions in between? Chat with us or call 800-860-8610.

Will I get my old passport back?

Yes. Your old passport is cancelled and returned to you, sometimes in a separate envelope.

The State Department cancels your old passport so it canā€™t be used, then returns it. It sometimes arrives separately from your new passport, so donā€™t worry if it isnā€™t in the same envelope. Any valid visas in it stay valid and can be used alongside your new passport.

We prepare your DS-82, check everything and courier it to a passport agency.Start my renewal ā†’

Who can renew a passport with Form DS-82?

Can I renew with Form DS-82?

Yes, if your most recent passport was issued in the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older, and is undamaged.

It also needs to be in your current name, or you need a certified document showing your name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. If you donā€™t meet all of these, you apply with Form DS-11 instead, and we expedite those too.

What disqualifies me from renewing my passport?

A passport issued more than 15 years ago, issued before you turned 16, or lost, stolen or damaged.

In any of those cases you canā€™t use Form DS-82 and apply with Form DS-11, signed in person at an acceptance facility, such as a post office, in about 15 minutes. You then send the application to us and our courier takes it to a passport agency, at the same speeds.

Can I renew an expired passport?

Yes, as long as it was issued within the last 15 years and you were 16 or older when it was issued.

What counts is the issue date, not the expiry date. A passport that expired years ago can still be renewed with Form DS-82 if it was issued within 15 years. You canā€™t travel on an expired passport, so if a trip is coming up, choose a faster speed.

Can I renew my passport if my name has changed?

Yes. Include a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order with your DS-82.

The document must be a certified copy from the office that holds the record, not a photocopy. If your passport was issued less than a year ago, a name change uses Form DS-5504 instead, with no application fee. See our passport name change page for the details.

Can I renew a passport I got as a child?

No. A passport issued before you turned 16 canā€™t be renewed; you apply with Form DS-11 instead.

Child passports are valid for 5 years and are always replaced with a new DS-11 application, signed in person. From 16 you get a 10-year adult passport, which you can later renew with Form DS-82.

Can I renew a damaged passport?

No. A damaged passport is replaced with Form DS-11, in person, rather than renewed.

Normal wear is fine, but water damage, torn or missing pages or a damaged photo page means a replacement. You send the damaged passport in with your DS-11, and we expedite it at the same speeds.

Not sure you qualify to renew? We check before anything is submitted.Start my renewal ā†’

Passport renewal documents and photo

What do I need to renew my passport?

Your most recent passport, one new passport photo and your signed DS-82, which we prepare.

The photo must be 2x2 inches, in color, taken in the last 6 months on a plain white background. If your name has changed, add a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order. You donā€™t need your birth certificate for a DS-82 renewal.

What are the passport photo requirements?

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken in the last 6 months, on a plain white or off-white background.

Face the camera with a neutral expression or a natural smile and both eyes open. No glasses, no hats or head coverings unless for religious or medical reasons, and no filters or edits. A rejected photo is one of the most common reasons renewals are delayed, so we check yours before anything is submitted.

Do I need to send my old passport?

Yes. Your most recent passport goes in with your renewal application.

Itā€™s your proof of citizenship and identity for a DS-82 renewal. Itā€™s cancelled and returned to you, sometimes separately from your new passport. If you canā€™t send it because itā€™s lost or stolen, you need a lost-passport replacement instead.

Do I need my birth certificate to renew my passport?

No. For a Form DS-82 renewal, your previous passport proves your citizenship.

A birth certificate is only needed when you apply with Form DS-11, for example for a first passport, a passport issued before you were 16, or a lost or damaged one.

Most delays come from a photo or form mistake. We check yours first.Get my renewal checked ā†’

Passport renewal and travel: special cases

Can I travel while my passport is being renewed?

Not internationally. Your current passport is sent in, so you wonā€™t have one until the new one arrives.

Plan your renewal around your trips, or choose a faster speed if travel is close. If you need to keep traveling while a passport is held for a visa, a second passport may be the better option.

How many months must my passport be valid to travel?

Many countries require at least 6 months beyond your stay; some only require it to be valid while youā€™re there.

Check your destinationā€™s rule before you book, and remember airlines enforce it at check-in. If your passport falls short, renew now: with us, as fast as 3-4 Days.

Can I get a passport card when I renew?

Yes. You can request a passport card with your renewal for an extra government fee.

A passport card is valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, but not for international flights. Tell us when you order and weā€™ll include it on your DS-82.

Can you help if Iā€™m not a U.S. citizen?

U.S. passport renewal is only for U.S. citizens.

If you hold another countryā€™s passport, including U.S. green card holders, that countryā€™s embassy or consulate renews it. We can still help with your trip: we handle visas for travelers of any nationality.

Traveling soon? Pick the speed that gets your passport back in time.Choose my speed ā†’
Need your passport renewal fast?
We prepare your application, check every document before itā€™s submitted, and courier it to a passport agency, as fast as 3ā€“4 days.
Start my passport renewal ā†’
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PassportsAndVisas.com is a private company and is not a government agency. Government fees are set by the U.S. Department of State and are shown separately from our service fee.