Keeping your passport up to date has a few benefits. No one wants to start planning a dream vacation only to find they have to postpone or miss out on a last-minute deal because their passport has expired. You also don’t want to leave your passport expired beyond the renewal period.
Renewing a passport is easier than applying for a new one, and it eliminates the risk of not having a valid passport in time for upcoming travel — it can take over two months between submitting your renewal application to receiving your new passport. While you have up to five years after your passport expires, it’s best to renew your passport before its expiration because many countries require U.S. citizens’ passports to be valid for at least six months after their scheduled departure.
Whether your passport is expiring within a year or expired a few years ago, it’s time to renew. In this guide on how to renew your passport, I’ll go over eligibility for renewal and method of renewal (online or by mail). I’ll also tell you what to do when you need a passport in a rush.
Is My Passport Eligible for Renewal?
Determine whether your passport is eligible for renewal based on your age and your passport’s expiration date.
- Age 15 or younger: Passports issued to children age 15 or younger cannot be renewed. Parents or legal guardians must submit an application for a new passport in person for their children.
- Age 16 and 17: If you are 16 or 17, you also cannot renew your passport, but you can apply for a new passport with proof of a parent’s or guardian’s consent.
- Age 18 to 24: You cannot renew a passport issued when you were age 15 or under, so you must apply for a new passport.
- Age 25 and older: If your current passport was issued when you were 16 or older, was valid for 10 years, and is expiring within a year or expired no more than five years ago, you can renew your passport.
Ways to Renew a Passport
Passports can be renewed online or by mail. Renewing online is faster, but in some instances, renewing by mail is required.
Renew Your Passport Online
If you are eligible for renewal and have not changed your name, you can renew your passport online. You must complete and submit the online application within seven days, or you will have to restart the application process. You need your passport, a digital passport photo in JPEG format, and a debit or credit card to pay the fee.
Renew Your Passport by Mail
If you've changed your name since receiving your current passport, you must renew your passport by mail. Download the renewal form and follow the instructions. In an envelope addressed to the Passport Processing Center, include your current passport along with the completed renewal form, a passport photo, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and if you changed your name, a certified copy of a document showing your legal name change (like a marriage certificate). The processing center will mail your document and old passport back to you separately.
How Long Does It Take to Renew a Passport?
Once you have the required documents, your passport photo and your current passport in hand, the passport renewal application will take less than 40 minutes to complete.
- Online: It can take six to eight weeks from submitting your renewal application online to receiving your new passport in the mail.
- Mail: It can take eight to ten weeks from mailing your renewal application to receiving your new passport in the mail.
If you need your passport within six weeks, use an expedited passport service like RushMyPassport.
What If I Need to Renew My Passport in Under Six Weeks?
Use RushMyPassport if you need your passport in six weeks or less. RushMyPassport offers a discount to AAA members for expedited passport services. The company reviews your paperwork to ensure there are no errors on your application, submits your renewal application and delivers your new passport.
What Documents Do I Need to Renew My Passport?
Online Renewal:
- Your current passport, undamaged aside from normal wear
- A digital passport photo in JPEG format
Renewal by Mail:
- Completed renewal form
- Your current passport, undamaged aside from normal wear
- Payment in the form of a check or money order
- A passport photo. Many AAA offices offer passport photos for free or a nominal fee to members. Check with your local AAA office.
- A certified copy of a document showing your legal name change, if your name has changed since you received your last passport
The processing center will return your old passport and other documents in the mail, separate from your new passport.
Plan Your Travel with AAA
As a AAA member, you get exclusive member benefits and savings on travel services beyond RushMyPassport. Save on hotel stays with our preferred hotels. Get exclusive discounts and perks on car rentals and find member benefits on attraction and event admissions with AAA Tickets.
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