Time to travel again? If you've got plans to go abroad in
a few months, but your passport's expired, here's the easy way to
renew your passport. If you're leaving in less than three
weeks, see our article "How
To Get A Passport Fast".
You'll need two 2"x2" identical passport photos of yourself.
You'll also need your old passport. You must have received it
within the last 15 years, when you were age 16 or older. The
passport must have your current legal name. If not, you'll
need legal documentation of any name change you've undergone since
your last passport was issued. You'll also need about $75 for
a processing fee and postage. If you choose expedited
processing, you'll pay about $151.00.
Step 1: Fill Out Application
You can download
an application for passport renewal.
Step 2: Mail
Put the application, photographs, processing fee (check or money
order payable to U.S. Department of State) and the old passport
into a padded envelope.
For "normal" processing, send to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
For "expedited" processing, mark "expedited" and send to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
Step 3: Check Up
After 7-10 days, check up on its status at https://passportstatus.state.gov/opss/OPSS_Status_i.asp
The normal turnaround time is typically 4-6 weeks; the expedited
time is 2-3 weeks.
U.S. citizens living abroad (except Canada) should renew their
passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
U.S. citizens in Canada may mail DS-82 renewal applications (the
"Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail") to the address indicated
on the form. Payment must be in U.S. dollars.
Passports renewed via mail in the U.S. may only be mailed to the
U.S. or Canada.
If your passport has been mutilated, altered or damaged, you cannot
apply by mail. You must apply in person.
Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six
months after the dates of your trip and/or have two to four blank
visa/stamp pages.
If you are behind in child support payments, you may not be able to
get a passport.
Learn more about passports from travel expert Joel Widzer:
http://www.videojug.com/interview/us-passports
Find out how to exchange currency and get money overseas:
http://www.videojug.com/interview/travel-money-2#should-i-exchange-money-into-foreign-currencies-before-i-travel-internationally
