DS-82 — U.S. Passport Renewal Application by Mail
Short answer
The mail-in renewal for adults whose most recent passport is undamaged, in their possession, and was issued when they were 16 or older.
- Who it's for
- Adults whose passport was issued within the last 15 years, at age 16 or older, in their current name (or with legal proof of a name change).
- How it's filed
- By mail, or fully online when online renewal is open to your case.
- Fees
- $130 book / $30 card. No execution fee. Expedited adds $60; 1–2 day return shipping is extra.
- Timing
- Routine 4–6 weeks, expedited 2–3 weeks, plus mailing both directions.
How to complete it
- 1
Confirm all five eligibility boxes
Undamaged, in your possession, issued at 16 or older, issued in the last 15 years, and issued in your current name or accompanied by a legal name-change document.
- 2
Send in your old passport
The expiring book goes in the envelope. It is returned to you separately, hole-punched and canceled — you keep it.
- 3
Pay by check or money order
Payable to 'U.S. Department of State,' with your full name and date of birth written on the front. No cash, no cards by mail.
- 4
Use trackable mail
Send everything in a padded envelope with tracking. Write 'EXPEDITE' on the outside if you paid the expedite fee.
Tricks of the trade
- Check whether online renewal is available for your case before printing anything — it removes the mailing risk entirely.
- Renew nine months before expiration. Many countries require six months of validity on arrival.
- A name change needs the certified marriage certificate or court order, not a photocopy.
- Pay the extra fee for 1–2 day delivery of the new book; it is separate from the expedite fee.
- Photograph every page of the packet before sealing the envelope.
Mistakes that cause rejections
- Mailing a DS-82 when the passport was issued before age 16 — that case requires DS-11 in person.
- Forgetting to include the old passport.
- Sending a photo printed at home on plain paper.
- Using regular first-class mail with no tracking.
Build your printable checklist — DS-82
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What to bring
0 of 7 items readyWatch out: Double-sided printing, half-size paper, and stapled pages are common reasons a packet is returned unprocessed.
Watch out: An unsigned or undated DS-82 is returned without processing.
Watch out: It must be undamaged, issued when you were 16 or older, within the last 15 years, and in your current name (or accompanied by name-change proof).
Watch out: Glasses, hats, uniforms, shadows behind the head, filters, and reprints of an old photo are all rejected. Do not staple, paper-clip, or write on the photo.
Watch out: Never mail cash. Unsigned checks and wrong payees are a frequent cause of returned packets.
Watch out: Routine and expedited go to different addresses; expedited packets must be marked "EXPEDITE" on the outside.
What it costs
- Passport book
- $130
Where it goes
By mail to the address printed on the DS-82 instructions, or fully online when online renewal is open to your case.
Common rejection pitfalls
- Mailing a DS-82 when the passport was issued before age 16 — that case requires DS-11 in person.
- Forgetting to include the old passport.
- Sending a photo printed at home on plain paper.
- Using regular first-class mail with no tracking.
Other forms
PassportOffices is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. government. Official forms are free and download from the Department of State site.