How to Renew an Expired Passport - Passport Renewal

Do you want to know how to renew an expired passport? As you may have known, a passport renewal is required every 10 years from issuance of your old one. Instead of waiting in line at the postal service, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has made renewing a passport much easier by using the internet. Online services allow you to quickly get the proper form DS-82 that is needed.

Retrieve your old passport. In order to new your expired one, you must have the old one. Your old passport will need to be sent in with a renewal form. After you have located your old passport, visit http://travel.state.gov and click on the passport tab that is found at the top of the page. Then click on the left side navigation, “Renew Passport.” Scroll down and read the eligibility requirements. If you are in the clear with the requirements then click on the link for “Form DS-82."

Decide if you want to print off the form and fill it out by hand or online. By doing it online, the form will be neat in type print with all of your information. Regardless of what method you choose, you will still have to use traditional mail to send in the information. Read the instructions carefully. Your expired passport must have been issued in the past 15 years and other stipulations are made.

Print off the form and fill out all information to avoid a delay. If you do not include all of the mandatory information that is requested then your passport renewal may be declined. Retrieve a copy of your marriage certificate if your name is differently. If your name was changed for another reason than marriage, then you must include a court document stating the change.

Obtain two copies of recent pictures of yourself from a nearby drugstore in your area that offers services for passport pictures or you may use your local post office. Updated passport photos are inexpensive and you should be able to leave with them that very day after having the pictures taken.

Write out a check to pay to renew your expired passport. As of 2010, the fee for a passport renewal is $140. You may either pay by personal check or a money order. Make the check out to “Department of State.” You can also pay by using a cashier or travels check if you prefer to do so. The estimated time for getting a new passport is anywhere from a month to two months. The Department of State claims that individuals usually get their new passport within four to six weeks. If you need it much sooner then you can add $60.00 to have the process speeded up to getting it back within two to three weeks. Ensure that you check the above web address as fees may go up at any time before you send out a check.

Place the filled out application, your old passport and the check for the amount in a secure envelope. The government recommends that people renewing their passports use a traceable mail method, such as delivery or signature confirmation. Ensure that you use one of these USPS services to prevent any mishaps.

Note: You will get your old passport back with your new one to keep as a souvenir of your travels. It will be punched with a hole through it.