How to Renew a U.S. Passport by Mail for Adults: DS-82 Steps, Fees, and Timeline
Renewing a U.S. passport by mail is usually the simplest option for eligible adults. If you qualify to use Form DS-82, you can complete the process without visiting a passport acceptance facility, paying a $35 acceptance fee, or applying in person. The key is making sure you meet the renewal rules, include the right documents, and mail the packet to the correct address.
This guide follows the current U.S. Department of State instructions for renewing by mail and passport processing times. Because fees, mailing addresses, and timelines can change, it is smart to verify the latest details on the official State Department website before you send your application.
Who can renew a U.S. passport by mail?
You can generally renew by mail with Form DS-82 if your most recent passport meets all of these requirements:
- You can submit it with your application.
- It is not damaged beyond normal wear and tear.
- It has never been reported lost or stolen.
- It was issued within the last 15 years.
- It was issued when you were age 16 or older.
- It was issued in your current name, or you can include a certified legal name change document.
If your passport is lost, stolen, badly damaged, issued more than 15 years ago, or issued before your 16th birthday, you cannot renew by mail. In that case, you will usually need to apply in person with Form DS-11 instead.
What you need before you start
Before filling out the form, gather everything in one place. A simple checklist helps prevent delays.
- Completed and signed Form DS-82.
- Your most recent U.S. passport book, passport card, or both.
- One color passport photo taken within the last 6 months.
- A certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order if your name changed.
- A personal check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State.
- A trackable USPS mailing method.
Adult passport renewal fees by mail
Mail-in renewals do not require a $35 acceptance fee. You pay only the application fee, plus any optional rush services you choose.
| Document | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 | Best choice for international air travel. |
| Passport card | $30 | Valid only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. |
| Passport book and card | $160 | Useful if you want both forms of ID. |
| Expedited service | Add $60 | Available for faster processing. |
| 1-3 day return delivery | Add $22.05 | For the completed passport after issuance; passport cards are not sent by 1-3 day delivery. |
How to renew a U.S. passport by mail: step-by-step
- Confirm that DS-82 is the correct form. Make sure you meet the mail-renewal eligibility rules before you do anything else. If you do not qualify, switching to the right form early will save time and prevent rejection.
- Complete Form DS-82 and print it single-sided. The State Department recommends using the online form filler on a desktop or laptop, then printing the completed form. Fill out every section, print on one side only, and sign and date the form before mailing it.
- Choose what you want to renew. You can renew a passport book, a passport card, or both. If you already have one and want the other for the first time, you may still be able to use DS-82. Frequent international travelers can also request a larger book with extra visa pages at no extra cost.
- Include your most recent passport. You must send the most recent passport connected to the renewal. If you are renewing a book, send the book. If you are renewing a card, send the card. If you want both and currently have both, send both. The State Department will return your old passport separately, and it may arrive up to four weeks after the new one.
- Add name-change proof if needed. If the name on your current passport is different from the name you use now, include a certified copy of the legal name change document. Common examples are a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
- Prepare one compliant passport photo. Your photo must be in color, taken within the last 6 months, sized 2 x 2 inches, and shot against a plain white or off-white background. Your expression should be neutral, and glasses should be removed. Staple the photo to the application exactly as instructed on DS-82, using four staples near the corners.
- Pay the correct amount. Use a personal check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not send cash. Write the applicant’s full name and date of birth on the front of the check or money order so the payment can be matched to the application.
- Mail the packet and track the status. Send the completed application yourself using USPS and a trackable service. Do not use UPS, FedEx, or DHL for routine DS-82 mailing addresses because the official destinations are PO Boxes. After mailing, watch for email updates and check your status online. It can take about 2 weeks before the status changes to In Process.
Where to mail Form DS-82
The address depends on where you live and whether you choose routine or expedited service. The State Department says to verify the current address on the latest DS-82 instructions before you mail your package.
| Situation | Mailing address |
|---|---|
| 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 U.S. state | National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 |
| Expedited service | Write EXPEDITE on the envelope and mail to National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955 |
How long does mail renewal take?
Current State Department estimates are 4 to 6 weeks for routine service and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service. Those estimates cover processing time at the passport agency or center only. Mailing time is extra and can add roughly 2 weeks for your application to arrive and up to 2 weeks for the completed passport to return.
If you have urgent international travel within 14 calendar days, do not rely on routine mail renewal. The State Department says you should make an appointment at a passport agency or center instead.
Common mistakes that delay passport renewal
- Forgetting to sign or date Form DS-82.
- Submitting a bad or missing passport photo.
- Leaving out the most recent passport.
- Sending the wrong fee amount.
- Printing the form double-sided or mailing incomplete pages.
- Trying to renew a passport that is too old, damaged, lost, or stolen.
A careful final review before mailing is the easiest way to avoid a delay letter and having to resubmit documents.
FAQ
Can I renew by mail if my passport is already expired?
Yes, many adults can renew an expired passport by mail as long as the passport was issued within the last 15 years, was issued when you were 16 or older, is not damaged, was not reported lost or stolen, and can be submitted with the DS-82 application.
Do I need to go to a passport acceptance facility or pay a $35 fee?
No. If you qualify for DS-82 renewal by mail, you send the packet yourself. Passport acceptance facilities should not process DS-82 renewals and should not charge the $35 acceptance fee for a mail-in renewal.
Can I renew by mail if I changed my name?
Yes, if you otherwise qualify for DS-82 and include a certified legal name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If the name-change paperwork is missing, your application can be delayed.
For official forms, photo rules, status checks, and the latest updates, use the State Department’s pages for Renew Your Passport by Mail, Processing Times, and Application Status.