How to Renew Your U.S. Passport Before You Travel

Before you travel, you’ll want to make sure that your passport is valid for the required amount of time for your travels. Each country has different requirements, but some can require that your passport be valid for at least six months after your entry to the country. You can find the specific passport requirements for US passport holders on our travel information pages.

1. How long does it take to renew my U.S. passport?
2. If my U.S passport was issued before I was 16, how do I renew it in person?
3. Can I renew my U.S. passport by mail?
4. How do I renew my U.S. passport by mail?

If you find you need to renew your passport before travel, it’s important to give yourself lots of time to get your renewed passport back. Standard renewals can take 8 to 11 weeks, or an expedited renewal takes 5 to 7 weeks for an additional $60.

If your current passport was issued before you were 16 and you need to renew for your upcoming travel, then you won’t be able to renew it through the mail.
To renew in person you’ll need to complete the following steps:

• Fill out Form DS-11
• Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship – bring an original and a photocopy of this document
  • One of the following:
    • U.S birth certificate
    • A full validity U.S. Passport (5 years is fully valid for an under-16 passport)
    • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship
• Present ID – bring an original and a photocopy of this document
  • if you are under 18 it should be your parent/guardian’s ID, if you are over 18 it should be your ID
• Valid or expired U.S. passport
• In-state, valid driver’s license
• Valid foreign passport
• In-state valid non-driver ID with photo
• If you’re 16-17 years old, you need to bring a parent along with you
• New passport photo (photo requirements)
• A check for the appropriate passport fee

• Passport book: $130
• Passport book and Passport card: $160
• Expedited service: Additional $60
• If you not renewing, but applying for a first passport there is an additional and separate $35 acceptance fee.
• Submit all these documents at a passport acceptance facility

You can see all the steps with links to form DS-11 at the US State Department.

If, like lots of Rustic Pathways travelers, your current passport was issued before you were 16, than you will need to apply for your renewal in person.

If you can say “Yes” to the following questions, then you can proceed to renew by mail:

• Do you have your passport in hand to submit with your application?
• Is your passport undamaged other than normal wear and tear?
• Was it issued when you were age 16 or older?
• Was it issued within the last 15 years?
• Was it issued in your current name or you can document your name change?

To renew by mail you’ll need to mail the following items to the National Passport Processing Center:

• Filled out Form DS-82
• Your most recent U.S. Passport
• Name change documents (if applicable)
• New passport photo (photo requirements)
• A check for the appropriate passport fee
  • Passport book: $130
  • Passport book and Passport card: $160
  • Expedited service: Additional $60

Mail these materials to:

Routine Service (If you live in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, or Texas):

National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155

Routine Service (If you live in any other state or Canada):

National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

Expedited Service (Additional fee applies. For any state or Canada):
Write “EXPEDITE” on the outside of the mailing envelope.

National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

You can see all the steps with links to form DS-82 at the US State Department.