Comparing U.S. Passport Renewal: Online vs. Renewal by Mail

Renewing your U.S. passport is crucial for smooth international travel. A current passport is necessary for entering foreign countries and confirms your identity and citizenship. If you don’t renew your passport in time, you could face delays in travel plans.

Having an up-to-date passport allows you to travel with confidence, knowing you meet all requirements. Whether you’re going on vacation, a business trip, or a family reunion abroad, renewing your passport ensures you can explore and enjoy your time abroad without hassle or delay.

With advancements in technology, eligible U.S. citizens can now conveniently renew their passports online. However, for many, the traditional method of renewing by mail remains a reliable option. 

In this post, we’ll delve into the details of both methods of passport renewal to help you decide which choice is best for your travel needs.

Renewal Online vs. Renewal by Mail: At a Glance

Renewing Your Passport Online

For American citizens who qualify, renewing your US passport online is a simple, straightforward process that you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

Online passport renewal is for routine processing only. Processing times are currently between 4 and 6 weeks, not including mailing times. 

Please be aware that you cannot request expedited or urgent travel processing online. For expedited passport renewal or urgent passport expediting service, you must renew through the mail (outlined in the Renewing Your Passport by Mail) or by appointment at a Regional Passport Agency.

To apply for routine passport renewal service, simply follow the 8 steps outlined below to begin renewing your US passport online: 

Step 1: Check Eligibility Requirements

To renew your passport online, you must meet the specific criteria outlined below:

• Age and Passport Validity: You must be at least 25 years old, and your current passport should be valid for 10 years.
• Issuance Date: Your passport should have been issued between 2009 and 2015. It needs to be more than 9 years old but less than 15 years from the application date.
• Personal Information: You cannot change your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth during this renewal.
• Travel Plans: Ensure you won’t be traveling internationally for at least 6 weeks after submitting your application.
• Passport Type: Only regular (tourist) passports are eligible for online renewal. Special issuance passports (like diplomatic or official passports) must be renewed through other means.
• Residency: You must reside in one of the U.S. states or territories. If you’re living abroad or have an APO, FPO, or DPO address, you’re not eligible for online renewal.
• Passport Condition: You need your passport in hand, undamaged, and it should not have been reported lost or stolen.
• Payment Method: A credit or debit card is required for payment.
• Digital Photo: You should be able to upload a digital passport photo that meets all passport photo requirements.
• Passport Cancellation Acknowledgment: Understand that once you submit your application, your current passport will be canceled and cannot be used for travel.

Please note: If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for online renewal, you can still renew your passport by mail.

Step 2: Create an Account

Register on the official U.S. passport renewal website. Follow the instructions on Login.gov to create an account. This is also where you will log in as an existing customer once you have created your account. 

This process is straightforward and secure.

Step 3: Start Your Application

After you have created an account through Login.gov, click on “Renew Your Passport.” Follow the prompts to begin your online renewal application. Throughout this process, you can save your application progress and finish it at a later time. 

Please note: Once you start your passport renewal application, you have 30 days to complete it or you will have to start the entire process over again.

Step 4: Enter Your Passport Information

You must provide accurate details about your most recent passport. Enter the same exact information printed on the passport you are renewing, including the passport number and issue date. Double-check all information for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation before entering.

Step 5: Outline Your Travel Plans

Indicate any upcoming travel, ensuring it falls at least 6 weeks beyond your application date. Online renewals are for routine service only; you cannot apply for expedited service online. 

If you need your passport renewal in 6 weeks or less, you can apply for expedited service by mail. If you need your passport renewal in less than 3 weeks, you must make an appointment to visit a Regional Passport Agency. 

If you need your passport renewal even faster, you can hire a registered passport courier service to get your new passport in as little as 24 hours.

Step 6: Upload Your Digital Photo

Make sure that your passport photo meets all of the digital requirements.

Passport Photo Requirements

• U.S. passport photo size is 2×2 inches
• Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• Color (NOTE: Black and white photos are no longer accepted.)
• Plain white or off-white background
• Printed in either matte or glossy quality photo paper

If you are not sure if your photo is acceptable or if you need help preparing for or taking your photo, please refer to our following guides and related posts:

• U.S. Passport Photo FAQ
• Passport Photos with a Digital Camera
• Digitalized Passport Photos
• Where to Get a Passport Photo Taken
• Passport Photos: What You Need to Know to Avoid Delays with Your Passport Application
• Why a Passport Photo Gets Rejected: 9 Mistakes to Avoid
• What to Wear for a Passport Photo: How to Balance Style and Compliance

Once you have an acceptable passport photo, you must upload it as instructed. 

Please note: If your passport photo is rejected, you will receive a letter or email requesting a new photo. The letter or email will include a deadline for your response.

Step 7: Sign and Pay

In order to complete and submit your passport renewal application online, you will need to:

• electronically sign your application and 
• pay the required passport fees using a credit or debit card. 

Simply click “Sign and Pay” and you will be transferred to the secure pay.gov site where you will electronically sign your application and pay your passport renewal fees. 

After you have signed and submitted your application and payment, you will receive two confirmation emails regarding the status of your payment. The first email will confirm that your payment is pending and the second email will confirm that your payment has been processed.  

Please note: Once you have submitted your passport renewal application, your most recent passport has been canceled and cannot be used to travel. That said, please keep your most recent passport on hand and in a safe place. You do not need to dispose of your canceled passport or mail the old passport to the U.S. Department of State. 

• Related Post: What to Do With Your Old Passport: A Comprehensive Guide

Step 8: Enroll in Email Updates

Once you have submitted your passport renewal application, opt-in to receive email notifications regarding the status of your application, so you can track its progress. You can also visit the U.S. Passport Application Status page to check your application.

As previously noted, online passport renewal processing takes between 4 and 6 weeks, not including mailing times. 

If you experience any problems completing your application, delays in receiving your passport, or if you need to upgrade your application to expedited service, please contact U.S. Department of State customer support at 1-877-487-2778 for assistance.

Renewing Your Passport by Mail

For those who do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for passport renewal online, you will need to apply for your passport by mail. 

Passport renewal by mail is available for both routine and expedited services. Routine processing is currently between 4 and 6 weeks. Expedited processing is between 2 and 3 weeks for an additional $60 fee.

However, if you need your passport renewal in less than 3 weeks, you must make an appointment to visit a Regional Passport Agency. Likewise, if you need your passport even sooner, you can hire a registered passport courier and receive your passport in as little as 24 hours. These services are not available for passport renewal by mail.

To apply for routine or expedited passport renewal by mail by following the 8 steps outlined below:

Step 1: Check Eligibility Requirements

To renew your passport by mail, you must make sure that you have your physical US passport in hand and that your passport meets the conditions detailed below. Before you begin the passport renewal by mail process, please check your US passport for:

• Submission: You must be able to submit your most recent passport with your application. That means that your passport must be in your possession to send it with your renewal application. 
• Condition: Your passport should be legible and undamaged, except for normal wear and tear. You cannot submit a damaged passport for renewal by mail.

If your passport is damaged, please refer to The Complete Damaged Passport Replacement Guide.

• Status: It must not have been reported lost or stolen. If your passport is lost or has been stolen, you must follow the advice provided in the following guides:
  • The Fastest Way to Replace a Lost Passport in U.S. or Abroad
  • Stolen US Passport Replacement: 4 Steps to Replace a Stolen Passport
• Issuance date: Your passport should have been issued within the last 15 years. If your passport issuance date is more than 15 years, you must apply for a new US passport in person. 
• Age at Issuance: Your passport must have been issued when you were at least 16 years old. If your passport was issued at 15 years old or younger, you must apply for a new passport in person. 
• Name: Your passport should be in your current name. If your name has changed, you are required to provide legal documentation (such as a marriage certificate or a divorce decree) to verify the name change.

If you have not yet changed your name on your passport, please follow the instructions detailed in The Complete Passport Name Change Guide: Step-By-Step.

For those with Limited Validity Passports (valid for less than 10 years), additional requirements include:

• Previous 10-Year Passport: You must have previously held a passport that was valid for a full 10 years.
• No Multiple Losses or Damages: Your passport should not be limited due to multiple losses or damages.

Please note: If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for routine or expedited renewal by mail, you can follow the steps to obtain a new passport. 

Step 2: Fill Out Form DS-82

Complete the DS-82 renewal form online using the U.S. Department of State’s secure Form Filler tool. DS-82 is a simple, straightforward form that guides you through completion.

If you are applying to renew a passport book and/or a passport card, you must note that in your document selection on the application. 

Also, for frequent travelers, you can select a large passport book that contains more visa pages at no additional cost.

You may also select “Expedite” to speed up the renewal process for an additional; $60 fee. Be sure to check this box when completing your application.

Once you have completed the form, double-check all answers to be sure that your information, such as dates (e.g., date of birth and previous passport issuance date), are correct. Errors on the form, missing required documents, and/or submission of unacceptable documents can lead to delays in the passport renewal process.

After making sure that your information is correct, you must print Form DS-82 on single-sided, standard white paper. Make sure that you sign and date the completed DS-82 form before you mail it. 

Step 3: Submit Your Passport Book and/or Passport Card

Along with completed, signed, and dated Form DS-82, you must Include your most recent passport book with the application form. If you are also applying to renew a passport card, you must also include your most recent passport card. For further clarification, please see below what must be submitted based on the documents you are applying to renew.

Step 4: Provide Additional Documents

If your name has changed, you must also include acceptable legal documentation (such as a marriage certificate or a divorce decree) to prove your new name.

Step 5: Include a Photo

Attach a compliant passport photo to your application package. Ensure it meets the specific size and quality requirements.

Make sure that your passport photo meets all of the digital requirements.

Passport Photo Requirements

• U.S. passport photo size is 2×2 inches
• Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• Color (NOTE: Black and white photos are no longer accepted.)
• Plain white or off-white background
• Printed in either matte or glossy quality photo paper

If you are not sure if your photo is acceptable or if you need help preparing for or taking your photo, please refer to our following guides and related posts:

• U.S. Passport Photo FAQ
• Passport Photos with a Digital Camera
• Digitalized Passport Photos
• Where to Get a Passport Photo Taken
• Passport Photos: What You Need to Know to Avoid Delays with Your Passport Application
• Why a Passport Photo Gets Rejected: 9 Mistakes to Avoid
• What to Wear for a Passport Photo: How to Balance Style and Compliance

Once you have an acceptable passport photo, you must staple your photo to your application. Follow the exact instructions on the application as you must use 4 staples, vertically, to secure your photo to the outer edges of the designated spot on the application. Do not bend the photo. 

Step 6: Calculate Your Passport Renewal Fees

Based on the documents you are requesting for renewal and the type of service (routine or expedited), you must determine the passport service fees. 

You may pay your fees via:

• Personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s check or
• Money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.”

Please include your payment with your application and supporting documents in the same envelope.

Step 7: Mail Your Application

Make sure your Form DS-82, your most recent passport book and/or passport card, supporting documents (if required), and your passport payment are securely packaged together in one envelope. 

Choose an envelope that is large enough to accommodate your application and supporting documents without the need to fold them. A Tyvek envelope is highly recommended, as it provides excellent protection for the items inside. You can find these envelopes on Amazon and at your local post office. 

Send your application package to the designated address provided in the instructions based on your location of residence and the type of service requested. 

• Standard Service (If you live in CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX):

National Passport Processing Center

Post Office Box 640155

Irving, TX 75064-0155

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

National Passport Processing Center

Post Office Box 90155

Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

• Expedited Service:

National Passport Processing Center

Post Office Box 90955

Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

Please note: If you are choosing expedited service, you must write “Expedite” clearly on the front of your application envelope.

Pro Tip: Use a trackable mailing option to keep track of your application package for confirmation of receipt and peace of mind.

Step 8: Enroll in Email Updates

Just like online renewal, choose to opt-in to receive status updates via email to stay informed about your application. You can also visit the U.S. Passport Application Status page to check your application.

Routine passport renewal by mail takes between 4 and 6 weeks, not including mailing times. Expedited passport renewal by mail takes between 2 and 3 weeks, not including mailing times. 

If you experience any problems completing your application, delays in receiving your passport, or if you need to upgrade your application to expedited service, please contact U.S. Department of State customer support at 1-877-487-2778 for assistance.

Please note: Your new passport book and/or passport card will arrive in a separate package from your supporting documents and previous passport book and/or passport card. That means you will receive 2 separate packages after processing. Typically, supporting documents arrive approximately 4 weeks after you receive your new passport book and/or passport card.

Key Takeaways

When it comes to renewing your U.S. passport, both online and by mail options have distinct advantages and eligibility criteria. 

Online renewal offers the ease of a digital process that can be completed from home but comes with stricter requirements, particularly regarding age and passport details. 

Renewal by mail, while still efficient, provides more flexibility in terms of requirements and eligibility as well as the option for expedited service.

Before making your decision on how to renew your US passport, carefully consider the requirements and select the method that best fits your circumstances and travel needs. 

If neither of these options is suitable for your situation, you must renew your passport in person at a Regional Passport Agency or at a Passport Processing Center.

Need your passport renewal sooner or can’t find the time to wait at a passport acceptance office? You can hire a registered passport courier to do the legwork for you and get your passport in as little as 24 hours!

For more detailed information on US passport renewal, check out our Ultimate U.S. Passport Renewal Guide: Forms, Fees, Photos, & Steps.