Renewing a U.S. passport is usually much easier than applying for one for the first time—but only if you use the correct renewal route.
In 2026, eligible U.S. citizens can renew an adult passport online or by mail. Others must apply again in person using the new-passport process.
The paperwork changes depending on:
- When your previous passport was issued
- How old you were when it was issued
- Whether the passport is damaged
- Whether it was lost or stolen
- Whether your legal name changed
- Whether you need routine or expedited processing
- How soon you plan to travel
For a straightforward adult renewal by mail, the core package is generally:
- Form DS-82
- Your most recent eligible U.S. passport
- One recent passport photo
- Passport renewal fee
- Certified legal name-change document, if applicable
Online renewal has a different process: you keep your old passport, upload a digital photo, pay electronically, and complete the application through the Department of State’s authorized online system.
The fastest way to prepare is not to collect every passport-related document you own. Start by identifying which renewal lane you belong in.
Find Your Passport Renewal Route First
Use this quick decision table before gathering documents.
| Your Situation | Best Starting Route |
|---|---|
| Adult with qualifying 10-year passport | Renew online or by mail if eligible |
| Passport issued more than 15 years ago | Apply in person with Form DS-11 |
| Passport issued before age 16 | Apply in person |
| Passport lost or stolen | Apply for replacement/new passport in person |
| Passport significantly damaged | Apply in person |
| Changing name with acceptable documentation | Mail renewal may be available |
| Name changed very recently after passport issuance | Form DS-5504 may apply |
| Child under 16 | Cannot renew; apply for a new passport |
| Traveling within 14 days | Passport agency appointment may be appropriate |
The Department of State specifically states that passports issued more than 15 years ago, passports issued before age 16, lost or stolen passports, and certain other cases do not qualify for ordinary renewal.
Route 1: Renewing Your Passport by Mail
Mail renewal remains one of the main options for eligible adults.
You Generally Qualify for Form DS-82 If Your Passport:
- Can be submitted with your application
- Has never been reported lost or stolen
- Was issued within the last 15 years
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older
- Was valid for 10 years
- Is not materially damaged beyond normal wear
- Was issued in your current name, or you can document your legal name change
These are the Department of State’s current mail-renewal requirements.
If you fail one of these tests, do not automatically mail Form DS-82. You may need to apply in person using Form DS-11.
Your Mail-Renewal Envelope: What Goes Inside?
Think of your renewal packet as four basic pieces, plus one optional piece.
1. Form DS-82
Complete the current Form DS-82, U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals.
You can use the State Department’s form filler or complete the permitted version manually.
For a paper renewal:
- Complete all required fields
- Sign the form
- Date the form
- Print it single-sided
The Department of State does not accept double-sided DS-82 forms for mail renewal.
2. Your Most Recent Passport
You must send the passport you are renewing when using Form DS-82 by mail.
If you are renewing:
Passport book → send the passport book
Passport card → send the passport card
Book and card → send both
If you have a passport book and are applying for your first passport card using the renewal process, you can submit the book. The reverse can also apply when using an eligible card to request a first passport book by mail.
Your old passport is normally returned separately and may arrive after your new passport.
The Department of State currently warns that the returned old passport may arrive up to about two weeks after the new one.
3. One New Passport Photo
A passport renewal requires a new photograph.
Do not reuse the photograph from your previous passport.
For a paper application, the current requirements include:
- One color photo
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Plain white or off-white background
- No digital filters or alterations
- Full face visible
- Eyes open
- Face directed toward the camera
- No eyeglasses except for a documented medical exception
The printed photograph must measure 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
The Department of State identifies unacceptable photographs as the leading reason passport applications are placed on hold, making the photo one of the most important parts of the renewal package.
4. Renewal Fee
For eligible adult renewals in 2026, current application fees are:
| What You’re Renewing | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 |
| Passport card | $30 |
| Passport book + card | $160 |
There is no $35 acceptance-facility fee for a normal DS-82 renewal by mail or eligible online renewal.
5. Legal Name-Change Document, If Needed
If the name you currently use is different from the name on your most recent passport, you may need an original or certified legal document connecting the two names.
Common examples are:
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court-ordered name-change document
For ordinary DS-82 mail renewal, the State Department currently requires a certified copy of the legal name-change document where applicable.
Route 2: Renewing a U.S. Passport Online
Online passport renewal has changed the renewal process significantly.
For eligible applicants, there is no envelope, no mailing of the old passport, and no printed passport photograph.
But the eligibility rules are narrower than the mail-renewal rules.
Online Renewal Eligibility in 2026
You can currently renew online only if all applicable State Department conditions are met, including:
- Your passport was valid for 10 years
- It expires within one year or expired less than five years ago
- You are age 25 or older
- You are not changing personal information such as your name or sex
- You are not traveling for at least six weeks
- You are physically located in a U.S. state or territory when applying
- You have the passport in your possession
- The passport is not damaged or mutilated
- The passport has not been reported lost or stolen
Online renewal is available for routine service only; it cannot currently be expedited.
What You Need Before Starting an Online Passport Renewal
The online document list is much shorter than the paper version.
Prepare:
Your Existing Passport
You will need information from the passport you are renewing.
Unlike a mail renewal, you do not mail the passport to the Department of State.
Keep it.
However, once you submit the online renewal, the State Department can invalidate the passport being renewed. You should not plan to use it for international travel after submission.
Digital Passport Photo
Online renewal requires a digital image rather than a printed 2 × 2 photo.
The photo must still meet passport standards, including:
- Taken within six months
- Color image
- Plain white or off-white background
- Face centered and fully visible
- No filters or digital manipulation
- No eyeglasses, subject to limited medical exceptions
Credit or Debit Card
Online renewal fees are paid electronically.
Current basic fees are:
- $130 for a passport book
- $30 for a passport card
- $160 for both
Personal Information
Have information such as your:
- Social Security number
- Emergency contact
- Current mailing address
- Passport number
- Issue and expiration dates
ready before beginning the online application.
Be Careful With “Online Passport Renewal” Websites
The convenience of online renewal has created another problem: unofficial websites that resemble government services.
The Department of State currently states that the only authorized online U.S. passport renewal portal is its official government renewal system.
Third-party sites cannot sign and submit an online renewal application for you. Some charge additional fees while collecting sensitive personal information.
Before entering:
- Social Security number
- Passport number
- Birth information
- Payment information
- Home address
make sure you are using an official .gov site.
A Passport Book and Passport Card Are Not the Same Thing
Renewal applicants sometimes choose the wrong product simply because both contain the word “passport.”
Passport Book
A passport book is used for international travel by:
- Air
- Land
- Sea
Passport Card
A passport card is wallet-sized and can be used for certain land and sea travel between the United States and:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Bermuda
- Certain Caribbean destinations
It is not valid for international air travel.
Can You Switch From One to the Other?
In many cases, yes.
Eligible DS-82 applicants who have a passport book may request their first passport card by mail, and card holders may be able to request their first book through the mail-renewal process.
Online combinations are somewhat more restricted. For example, the current system allows certain book/card combinations but directs some applicants to renew by mail instead.
Name Changed Since Your Last Passport? Stop Before You Renew
A legal name change can send you down one of several passport paths.
The correct form depends heavily on timing.
Your Passport and Name Change Are Both Less Than One Year Old
If less than one year has passed since the passport was issued and the legal name changed, Form DS-5504 may apply.
The State Department currently requires:
- Form DS-5504
- Most recent passport
- Original or certified legal name-change document
- One passport photo
There is normally no passport application fee for this service, although expedited service carries the additional expedite charge.
More Than One Year Has Passed
If more than one year has passed since the passport was issued or since the name change, eligible applicants may renew using Form DS-82.
For mail renewal, include the required certified legal name-change document, such as a:
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court order
You Don’t Have Legal Documentation of the New Name
This gets more complicated.
The State Department may require an in-person DS-11 application plus evidence supporting your identity and long-term use of the new name.
Current guidance may require Form DS-60 and multiple public records in certain cases where no marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order documents the change.
Lost Passport? That Is Not a Normal Renewal
A passport that was lost or stolen does not qualify for the standard DS-82 renewal process.
The State Department says passports reported lost or stolen cannot be renewed using the ordinary renewal pathway.
You generally need to:
- Report the passport lost or stolen.
- Apply for a replacement under the applicable in-person process.
- Provide the required citizenship and identity evidence.
- Submit the appropriate form and fee.
Do not describe a lost passport as “expired” simply to use a simpler renewal form.
Damaged Passport? First Decide Whether It’s Damage or Normal Wear
A passport with normal wear can still qualify for renewal.
The State Department distinguishes normal wear from significant damage.
Examples of serious passport damage include:
- Water damage
- Mold
- Large stains
- Significant tears
- Missing pages
- Unofficial markings
- Mutilation
Small bends or ordinary page wear generally do not automatically count as serious damage.
A materially damaged passport normally requires an in-person application rather than a routine DS-82 renewal.
Your Child’s Passport Cannot Simply Be “Renewed”
This catches many parents off guard.
A U.S. passport issued to a child under age 16 is valid for five years and cannot be renewed.
The child must submit a new passport application using the child passport process.
That generally means a different document set involving:
- Form DS-11
- Evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship
- Evidence of parental relationship
- Parent/guardian identification
- Photocopies of required evidence
- Child passport photo
- Parental consent
- Applicable fees
Both parents or guardians normally participate in the application or provide qualifying consent documentation.
So if you’re searching for “documents required to renew a child’s passport,” the more accurate question is:
What documents are required to apply for the child’s next passport?
Passport Renewal Photo Rules: A Small Detail That Causes Big Delays
The passport photo deserves more attention than most renewal checklists give it.
The State Department says unacceptable photos are the number one reason applications are placed on hold.
For a Paper Renewal
Your photo should be:
- 2 × 2 inches
- Color
- Recent—within six months
- Sharp and properly exposed
- Printed on quality photo paper
- Taken against white or off-white background
- Unedited
The head must be properly centered and sized within the photograph.
Take Your Glasses Off
Ordinary eyeglasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses must be removed.
A medical exception requires appropriate documentation from a doctor.
Religious Head Coverings
Religious head coverings are permitted under the applicable rules, but the face must remain fully visible and applicants using paper applications should provide the required signed statement.
Avoid AI or Heavy Photo Editing
Passport photographs must be original and unaltered.
Do not:
- Smooth skin
- Replace the background digitally
- Reshape facial features
- Remove shadows through aggressive manipulation
- Use beauty filters
- Generate a synthetic or AI-modified version of your face
The State Department specifically requires original, unedited passport photographs.
Passport Renewal Costs in 2026
The standard renewal fee depends on what you request.
Adult Renewal Fees
| Passport Product | 2026 Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 |
| Passport card | $30 |
| Book + card | $160 |
Optional Expedited Service
Expedited processing currently costs an additional:
$60 per application
This option applies to eligible mail/in-person processing. Online renewal currently offers routine service only.
Optional 1–3 Day Return Delivery
As of October 2026, the State Department lists the optional 1–3 day return-delivery fee at:
$26.87
This applies to return delivery of a passport book and is not available for a passport-card-only application.
No Acceptance Fee for an Eligible Renewal
If you are properly renewing with DS-82, you generally do not pay the $35 acceptance fee charged for many DS-11 applications.
Choose Your Service Based on When You’re Traveling
Do not choose routine, expedited, or urgent processing based only on the published processing number.
Mailing time matters too.
As of October 2026, the Department of State lists:
| Service | Current Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Routine | 4–6 weeks |
| Expedited | 2–3 weeks |
| Urgent travel | Passport agency appointment; travel generally within 14 days |
These are processing times, not total door-to-door times.
The State Department says your application can take up to two weeks to arrive for processing and the completed passport can take up to another two weeks to reach you after it is mailed.
If You Travel in More Than Six Weeks
Routine service may be appropriate.
If You Travel in Less Than Six Weeks
The State Department recommends considering expedited service. Current expedited processing is generally 2–3 weeks plus mailing time and costs an additional $60.
If You Travel Within 14 Days
Do not simply mail a standard application and hope it arrives in time.
Passport agencies and centers handle qualifying urgent international travel within 14 calendar days, by appointment. Proof of travel is required.
Appointment availability is not guaranteed.
Renewing Too Early Is Usually Better Than Renewing Too Late
Travelers often wait until a passport is only weeks from expiration.
That can be a mistake even if the passport technically has not expired.
Many countries require a U.S. passport to remain valid for a certain period beyond the travel date, commonly several months depending on the destination.
Airlines may enforce destination-entry requirements before boarding.
So the relevant question isn’t only:
“Is my passport expired?”
It is also:
“Will my passport have enough remaining validity for the country I’m visiting?”
Check your destination’s current entry rules before deciding when to renew.
A Passport Can Be Renewed Before It Expires
You do not have to wait until a U.S. passport is expired to renew it.
Mail renewal eligibility is based on the passport’s issuance history and other requirements, not simply whether the expiration date has passed.
Online renewal is narrower: the passport must currently be expiring within one year or have expired less than five years ago.
This difference makes mail renewal useful for some applicants who are not yet eligible for the online system.
Passport Expired More Than Five Years Ago? Online and Mail Rules Differ
The five-year figure often causes confusion.
Online
Your 10-year passport generally must:
- Expire within one year, or
- Have expired less than five years ago
to qualify for online renewal.
The central mail rule is different.
The passport generally must have been issued within the last 15 years and meet the other DS-82 requirements.
So someone may fail the online-renewal test yet still qualify to renew by mail.
Passport Issued More Than 15 Years Ago
Once your previous passport falls outside the mail-renewal window, you generally need to use the in-person new-passport process.
That means the document list changes significantly.
A typical adult DS-11 application requires items such as:
- Form DS-11
- Evidence of U.S. citizenship
- Photocopy of citizenship evidence
- Physical government-issued photo ID
- Photocopy of the front and back of the ID
- Passport photo
- Applicable fees
The State Department requires photocopies on single-sided 8.5 × 11 inch paper for applicable DS-11 evidence.
At that point, you are not really “renewing” through DS-82—you are applying again in person.
Do You Need a Birth Certificate to Renew a Passport?
Usually not for a straightforward DS-82 renewal.
Your previous eligible U.S. passport acts as the key passport document being submitted with the renewal.
You generally do not also send a birth certificate simply because you were born in the United States.
A birth certificate or other citizenship evidence becomes important when you are not eligible for the renewal process and must apply in person using DS-11.
This is an important distinction because many online checklists incorrectly tell every passport renewal applicant to order a birth certificate.
Do You Need a Driver’s License for Passport Renewal?
Not for a normal DS-82 mail renewal simply because it is a renewal.
Your most recent qualifying passport serves as the core passport evidence.
A driver’s license or other physical government-issued photo ID becomes more relevant if you must switch to an in-person DS-11 process.
For in-person applicants over 18, the State Department currently requires physical photo identification and a photocopy of the ID. Digital driver’s licenses are not accepted as a substitute for the physical ID.
Do You Need Your Social Security Card?
A physical Social Security card is not normally part of the standard DS-82 renewal package.
You do, however, need to provide the required Social Security number information on the passport application when applicable.
Online renewal guidance specifically lists Social Security number among the personal details applicants should have ready.
Do not mail your original Social Security card unless official passport instructions specifically direct you to do so for an unusual situation.
Renewing Both a Passport Book and Card
If you have both a passport book and card and want both renewed by mail, submit both documents.
The State Department’s current DS-82 instructions specify:
| You Want to Renew | Submit |
|---|---|
| Book | Book |
| Card | Card |
| Book + card | Book + card |
If one document has been lost, do not simply omit that fact.
Lost passport books and cards have separate reporting and replacement rules.
Your Old Passport May Still Matter After It Expires
An expired passport isn’t necessarily useless.
The Department of State notes that previous passports can continue to serve as evidence of U.S. citizenship even after expiration.
When your renewed passport arrives, store the canceled previous passport safely rather than immediately discarding it.
It may also contain:
- Valid foreign visas
- Travel records
- Immigration stamps
- Personal historical information
A canceled U.S. passport itself cannot be used as a valid travel document.
Don’t Mail Your Renewal to a Post Office Employee for “Approval”
There is a difference between mailing a renewal through the Postal Service and applying at a passport acceptance facility.
A DS-82 renewal is mailed directly according to the address listed in the application instructions.
The State Department specifically says postal employees should not review a DS-82 renewal packet or charge the $35 acceptance fee for the renewal.
Acceptance facilities are primarily for DS-11 applications.
Seven Things to Check Before Sealing the Envelope
For a standard DS-82 renewal, stop for a minute before mailing.
Form
□ Current DS-82 completed
□ Form signed
□ Form dated
□ Printed single-sided
Passport
□ Most recent passport included
□ Passport was issued within 15 years
□ Passport was issued when you were 16 or older
□ Passport was valid for 10 years
□ Passport has not been reported lost or stolen
□ No disqualifying damage
Photo
□ One new photograph
□ Taken within 6 months
□ 2 × 2 inches
□ White/off-white background
□ No glasses
□ No editing/filtering
□ Properly attached according to DS-82 instructions
Name
□ Application name matches current legal name
If not:
□ Certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court name-change document included
Payment
□ Correct fee amount
□ Check or money order made payable as instructed
□ Applicant’s full name and date of birth added where required
□ No cash mailed
Travel
□ Enough time remains before international travel
□ Expedited service added if appropriate
Mailing
□ Correct renewal mailing address selected based on your service level and residence
□ Tracking used if desired
One missing signature or incorrect payment can be more disruptive than forgetting several documents you never needed in the first place.
Common Passport Renewal Problems—and What They Usually Mean
| Problem | Likely Next Step |
|---|---|
| Passport expired 3 years ago | Online or mail renewal may still be possible depending on eligibility |
| Passport issued 17 years ago | Apply in person |
| Passport was issued at age 14 | Apply in person |
| Passport lost | Report and apply for replacement/new passport |
| Passport water damaged | In-person process likely required |
| Recently married and changed name | DS-5504 or DS-82 depending on timing |
| Traveling next month | Consider expedited service |
| Flying internationally next week | Look at urgent-travel appointment rules |
| Child’s 5-year passport expired | Apply for a new child passport |
| Have book but want first card | Eligible DS-82 applicants can generally request it by mail |
Passport Renewal FAQs
What documents are required to renew a U.S. passport?
For a standard eligible adult mail renewal, you generally need Form DS-82, your most recent qualifying U.S. passport, one passport photo, the required fee, and a certified name-change document if your current name differs from the passport.
Can I renew my passport online in 2026?
Yes, eligible U.S. citizens can renew online for routine service.
Current eligibility includes being at least 25, possessing a qualifying 10-year passport that expires within one year or expired less than five years ago, having no personal-information changes, being in the United States, and having no international travel planned for at least six weeks.
What form do I use to renew my passport?
Most eligible mail-renewal applicants use Form DS-82.
Certain recent name changes or corrections may use DS-5504.
Applicants who do not qualify for renewal generally use DS-11 and apply in person.
Do I need to send my old passport when renewing?
For a DS-82 mail renewal, yes. You must send the most recent passport being renewed.
For an eligible online renewal, no. You keep it, although the State Department invalidates the passport being renewed after submission.
Can I renew a passport that has already expired?
Yes, in many cases.
For mail renewal, the passport generally must have been issued within the last 15 years and satisfy the other DS-82 conditions.
Online renewal has the narrower rule that the passport must expire within one year or have expired less than five years ago.
Can I renew a passport that expired 10 years ago?
Potentially by mail if its issue date is still within the 15-year DS-82 window and all other eligibility conditions are satisfied.
Check the issue date, not just the expiration date.
Do I need a birth certificate to renew my passport?
Not for a straightforward qualifying DS-82 renewal.
A birth certificate or other citizenship evidence becomes relevant when you must apply again using DS-11.
Do I need a new passport photo when renewing?
Yes.
Paper applicants must submit one new color photograph taken within the last six months. Online applicants upload a new digital passport photo.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
Normally, no.
The State Department requires applicants to remove eyeglasses unless a qualifying medical reason prevents removal, in which case supporting medical documentation is needed.
How much is passport renewal in 2026?
The current fee is $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card, or $160 for both.
How much does expedited passport renewal cost?
Expedited service currently adds $60 per application.
How long does passport renewal take in 2026?
As of October 2026, routine processing is currently 4–6 weeks and expedited processing is 2–3 weeks.
Mailing time is additional and can add time before and after processing.
Can I expedite an online passport renewal?
No. The current online renewal program is for routine service. Applicants who need faster service should consider the appropriate mail or in-person option.
Can I renew my passport if I’m traveling in two weeks?
Routine mail or online renewal is not the right choice for that timeline.
If you have international travel within 14 calendar days, you may qualify for an appointment at a passport agency or center and will need proof of travel.
Can I renew a lost passport with Form DS-82?
No.
A passport that has been reported lost or stolen does not qualify for normal DS-82 renewal.
Can I renew a damaged passport?
Minor normal wear may not prevent renewal, but significant damage generally requires an in-person application rather than DS-82.
Water damage, significant tears, missing pages, mold, and unofficial markings are examples of serious damage.
Can I renew my child’s passport?
A passport issued to a child under 16 cannot be renewed.
You must submit a new child passport application.
Do both parents need to be present to renew a child’s passport?
Because a child’s passport under age 16 is a new application rather than a renewal, parental-consent rules apply.
Both parents or guardians generally appear with the child or satisfy one of the State Department’s alternative consent procedures.
Can I renew after getting married?
Yes, but the correct form depends on when your passport was issued and when your legal name changed.
A very recent change may qualify for DS-5504; otherwise an eligible applicant may use DS-82 with a certified marriage certificate or other qualifying name-change evidence.
Do I need an appointment to renew my passport?
Not for ordinary DS-82 mail renewal or eligible online renewal.
Passport agency appointments are used for qualifying urgent travel or certain special circumstances.
Is there a fee to make an urgent passport appointment?
No.
The Department of State warns that it does not charge a fee merely to book an appointment. Third parties charging for passport-agency appointments are not authorized appointment sellers.
The Best Passport Renewal Strategy for 2026–2027
The renewal process becomes much easier when you make decisions in the right order.
First: Look at the issue date and expiration date on your current passport.
Second: Confirm how old you were when that passport was issued.
Third: Check whether it is lost, stolen, or significantly damaged.
Fourth: Decide whether your legal name or other personal information has changed.
Fifth: Look at your international travel date.
Only then choose:
online renewal → mail renewal → in-person application → urgent passport agency appointment
That sequence prevents one of the most common passport mistakes: preparing a perfect set of documents for the wrong application process.
As of October 2026, routine passport processing is 4–6 weeks and expedited processing is 2–3 weeks, before mailing time. Online renewal remains available to qualifying applicants needing routine service.
Anyone renewing in 2027 should verify the current Form DS-82 edition, fee schedule, online eligibility rules, processing times, photograph standards, and expedited-service options immediately before applying. The State Department can change administrative requirements and processing estimates even when the basic passport renewal framework remains the same.
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