Determine if you can renew your passport

If any of the following are true, you cannot renew your U.S. passport and must instead apply for a new passport in person using Form DS-11:

• Issued before your 16th birthday
• Issued more than 15 years ago
• Damaged, lost, or stolen. Learn how to report a lost or stolen passport.
• Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change

If none of the above situations are true, you can renew your U.S. passport. 

Can you renew an expired passport?

You can renew an expired passport, but only if it was issued within the last 15 years.

How to renew your passport and what documents you will need

You can renew your passport and/or passport card by mail. You may instead be able to renew them online during the limited beta release of the Online Passport Renewal System.

Because it can take up to three months to process your application, it is important to renew your passport before it expires. Check with the Department of State to find out the current processing times for passport renewals.

Renewing your passport by mail

Typically, you will need the following items to renew your passport or passport card by mail:

• Application - You will need Form DS-82. If you are renewing by mail:
  • You can fill out Form DS-82 online, or
  • Download Form DS-82 [PDF, 1.3MB] and fill it out by hand, or
  • Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up a copy.
• Passport photo
• Passport fee
• Your most recent passport - Your most recent passport will be mailed back to you separately after your new passport is mailed.
• Name change documentation, if necessary

Learn how to submit all your documentation and passport fees and where to mail them.

Renewing your passport online

You may be able to renew your passport book and/or card online. The Department of State's online system currently limits the hours it is available and the number of passport renewals it accepts each day. 

Learn about the Online Passport Renewal System, including:

• Eligibility for renewing your passport book and/or card online
• How to create an online account
• What information and documents you will need to renew your passport online  

Be aware of passport expiration rules for your destination

Some countries and airlines will not allow a U.S. passport holder to enter if their passport expires in less than 6 months. 

Check your destination country's U.S. passport expiration rules on the Department of State's country information page.

• On the left, search for the country name in the "learn about your destination" box.
• On that country's page, look for "passport validity."