Can I renew my passport by mail?
Short answer
Can I renew my passport by mail?
You can renew by mail with Form DS-82 only if your most recent passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and is in your current name (or you can document the name change).
Open the Passport renewal guide
Actionable steps, requirements, and tools to move forward.
Key takeaways
- Mail renewal uses Form DS-82.
- Your most recent passport must be in your possession and undamaged.
- It must have been issued when you were 16 or older and within the last 15 years.
- Name changes require a certified marriage certificate or court order.
- If any rule is missing, use Form DS-11 in person.
Full answer
Renewing by mail is faster and cheaper because there is no $35 execution fee. You send your most recent passport, a new photo, the completed DS-82, and the fee to the address printed on the form.
Your old passport will be returned to you, usually in a separate mailing from the new one. It will be cancelled, so do not try to use it for travel.
If your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, or if it was issued when you were a child or more than 15 years ago, you are not eligible for DS-82. You must apply in person with Form DS-11.