Every U.S. citizen that has a passport finds the need over the course of their life to apply for a passport renewal. This can be accomplished either through the U.S. mail service or if it is convenient, in person. There are also available, private expediting services that can help reduce the amount of time it takes to receive the new passport.
In order for the passport holder to renew his or her passport via mail, several conditions must be met. The passport holder’s most recent passport must be undamaged and able to be submitted with the renewal application. The passport must have been issued less than 15 years ago in the person’s current name or the person must be able to provide documentation of any name change. The most recent passport must have been issued when the person was at least 16 years old.
As with anything else when it comes to the government, there are forms that need to be completed. The renewal form must be printed out or filled out online and submitted along with the old passport. The form is easily located by going on the Internet and simply searching it out. This will need to be accompanied by two new color photos along with any applicable fees and if there is a name change since the issue date, supporting paperwork to that effect.
A passport renewal that is done by mail can take four to six weeks to be processed and returned to the holder. The government offers an expedited service, for a fee, that can shorten this time down to two to three weeks. There are occasions where the passport holder needs it back faster than this and for these times, there are private expediting services that can help. These services can return a passport in as little as 1 to 2 business days if need be, for an additional fee.
If the passport is not eligible to be renewed by mail, the passport holder must re-apply for a passport in person.. The Application for a U.S. Passport must be completed and submitted with evidence of U.S. Citizenship, acceptable additional identification, photocopy of this identification, two identical passport photos, and the passport fee.. The applicant must go to a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility or Regional Passport Agency in order to get the new passport. The independent expediting service can accommodate these applicants, but applicants must first present the required documentation to the Passport Acceptance Facility or Agency.
Minors wishing to renew their passports have different guidelines. All minors whose initial passport was issued when they were under age 16 must renew their passports in person. The renewal process is similar to those renewing via mail. The minor must complete a passport renewal application, return the expired passport, provide two identical passport photos, and pay a fee. If the minor wishes to have the passport expedited, the options of the government expediting and independent expediting companies are available at an additional charge.
Any U.S. citizen residing out of the country in Canada can also renew by mail if needed. Those that reside in other countries will however need to visit either the U.S. Embassy or local Consulate office to renew the passport in person. There is a complete listing of these locations that may be found online.
If certain conditions are met, United States passport renewal may be done via mail. Otherwise, the person must re-apply for a new passport in person. If a passport holder needs to receive the new passport quickly, the government or independent expediting agencies provide this service for an additional fee.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.