A current U.S. passport is required for foreign travel and can be used legally as identification inside the country. It is a certified government document that attests to your citizenship and identity. Your passport, however, has an expiration date. If you were 16 years old or older when you received your passport, it has a 10-year expiration date. If you were 15 years old when you received your passport, it is only good for five years. 1
Make sure your passport is valid for six months after any intended travel as a general rule. Travelers has created the following guide using data from the U.S. Department of State website to help provide many of the important details involved in the procedure of renewing a passport. Visit the U.S. State Department website for more details, including the most recent fees, to make sure you have the most recent information.
Can I Renew My Passport by Mail?
By mail, you have one of the most practical options for passport renewal. However, in order to renew by mail, all of the following conditions must be met, according to the U.S. State Department2:
In your passport:
Available for you to include with your submission.
Other than regular wear and tear, unharmed.
When you were at least 16 years old.
Issued no more than 15 years ago.
Issued with your legal name at the time, or you may provide proof of a name change.
If every one of these claims is accurate, you can normally follow these instructions to renew your passport by mail. If any of these are untrue, you must apply in person.
Steps to Renew Your Passport by Mail
Follow the five procedures indicated below to renew your passport by mail. Always check the U.S. State Department’s passport website for the most recent information because it is subject to change.
- Assemble your papers
Usually, you’ll require the following papers:
Passport Application Form DS-82 from the U.S. State Department website must be filled out for renewals.
Documents for Name Change — You must present a certified copy of the legal name change paperwork if the name you are currently using differs from the one on your current passport as a result of marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered name change. The original paperwork must be sent. Usually, you’ll receive a different mailing from this one with your name change document.
