The Ultimate Guide to Renewing Your U.S. Passport This Year

A valid U.S. passport is legal proof of your U.S. citizenship that allows you to travel internationally. A passport is a great way to explore the world without hassles. But this official government travel document comes with an expiration date.

The validity depends on when it was issued for the first time. If you got your first U.S passport at the age of 16, you have 10 years. However, if it was issued when you were 15, it would last 5 years.

The struggle of a passport renewal can be real for some, which is why we are here with all the essential knowledge you may need about renewing a passport.

Getting a renewed passport is complex and may take many days. So, if you are planning an international trip or have something already planned but the passport expiration is near, getting a fast renewal is crucial.

You might wonder how to renew a passport when needed or what the process is, but don’t worry. This helpful guide will clear out all your confusion regarding passport renewal.

Who Can Apply for a Passport Renewal?

An expired passport is ready to be renewed, especially if you have trips ahead. But there are some points to keep in mind, and one of them is that not all passports are eligible for renewal. Instead, you can follow instructions for other procedures. So, let’s have a look at what makes your passport valid for renewal application:

●     Passports that are badly damaged can’t be simply renewed. Mutilated passport replacement can be a better option. You can apply for the renewal only when your passport is in good shape.

●     Obviously, you are not going to do that, but still, if it’s been 5 years since your passport expired, it can’t get renewed.

●     A stolen or lost passport must be replaced instead of renewed. For a renewed passport application, you must have it.

●     Children under 16 years are not eligible for an adult passport renewal. However, they can get another minor passport valid for 5 more years.

Why Renew Your U.S. Passport?

Waiting for a long time or renewing it just before the expiration date is not recommended. Applying for the renewal is better so you can visit any country, even urgently. Of Course, the expiration of the U.S passport is the main reason for the renewal, but there are some others as well.

●     Change in appearance after any treatment, therapy, or health program

●     Curled or damaging passport edges or front.

●     Getting low on visa blank pages.

●     Legal name change

If you have any of these reasons, your passport renewal is a must before you face any issue.

Steps to Follow for a Passport Renewal

Renewing a passport has now been made easier with technology, so you can even apply online. Here is how you can get a renewed passport:

Application Form

The first step is to get a passport renewal application form DS-82, which you can have through the U.S state department website.

Gathering Documents

The most crucial step is gathering the required documents carefully. To renew your U.S passport, you may need your recent passport, name change documents(if any), U.S passport photo, and printed renewal application form either filled out offline or online.

Payment

The passport fee details are on the website of the U.S department of state. You better calculate it first. Payments can be made using a card or through cash. Only a cheque and money order work,

Passport Photo and the Requirements

There are a lot of mistakes usually seen with passport photos. These photos are quite different from other photos. There are some specific requirements that you should follow to make your photo valid for a passport renewal application. Here are these:

●     No eyewear

●     No hair, shadow, or too much makeup on the face

●     No hat, cap, headphones, or any other thing that covers your head or face

●     Only proper lighting, correct angle, and usual dressing are allowed

It can easily be done through a passport photo service that allows you to submit your simple camera photo, which they will make appropriate according to the passport photo requirements. It’s totally convenient, time-saving, and quick.

How Long can Passport Renewal Be?

The process will take around 9-12 weeks, but the maximum can reach even 18 weeks with a usual passport renewal application. But if you are willing to have expedited service by the U.S department of state, you can pay an additional $60. The process will take 6-8 weeks then. But if it’s urgent and you have to travel internationally, you can contact a passport expediting company to get your job done as fast as in 5-7 days with a higher fee.

You may need these details before and during the passport renewal. So, we hope the guide made it easier for you can apply for a U.S passport renewal. If you still need some guidance, you can visit the website of the U.S department of state. A passport expediting company would be an excellent option for a faster renewal. So, let’s renew your expired passport now and enjoy the freedom of traveling.