How to Mail Passport Renewal: DS-82 Checklist & Addresses

Who Can Renew a Passport by Mail?

You can renew your passport by mail if:

• You still have your most recent passport and can mail it with your application.
• You were 16 or older when your passport was issued.
• Your passport was issued less than 15 years ago.
• Your passport was valid for 10 years, or you meet the State Department's limited-validity renewal requirements.
• Your passport is undamaged apart from normal wear and has never been reported lost or stolen.
• Your name has not changed, or you can include a certified document showing your legal name change.

U.S. Passport Renewal Checklist: What to Include

1. Completed and signed Form DS-82

Use the official Form Filler or DS-82 PDF. Print single-sided on separate sheets, complete both application pages, and sign and date it before mailing. Use black ink when completing the paper form.

2. Your most recent passport

Mail your most recent passport book or card, depending on which you are renewing. If you are renewing both, include both.

3. One passport photo

Use a color photo taken within the last six months, printed at 2 by 2 inches on photo paper. Check the official passport photo examples for background, head size, lighting, and other requirements.

Attach it where DS-82 shows the photo box. The form calls for four vertical staples near the outside corners. Keep the photo flat and do not cover it with tape.

4. Payment

Use the State Department fee page and calculator to total the amount for a book, card, or both, plus any optional services. Send an accepted check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State. Include the applicant's full name and date of birth on the front. Do not send cash.

5. Name change document, if needed

If your name has changed, include a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Where to Mail Your Passport Renewal Application

For a DS-82 renewal mailed from the United States, use the address that matches your situation below. The expedited address applies regardless of your state. These are USPS PO Box addresses.

We try to keep this information up to date. To verify the current mailing addresses, check the State Department website.

If you are applying from Canada, see these renewal instructions. For other countries, contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

How to Package and Mail the Application

USPS recommends an envelope large enough to hold the application without folding it. A Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express envelope can accommodate the forms and passport. Use the service that matches the packaging you choose.

Mail your application through USPS with tracking and keep your receipt.

Should You Send Passport Renewal by Certified Mail?

Certified Mail is optional, but we recommend adding it to First-Class Mail so you can track delivery. You can also use Priority Mail for faster expected delivery, with tracking included.

How Long Does Passport Renewal by Mail Take?

Your total wait includes mailing time and passport processing. Here are the typical wait times:

USPS delivery times are estimates, not guarantees. Processing times do not include mailing. The State Department advises allowing up to two weeks for your application to arrive and up to two weeks for your new passport to reach you. Check the current processing times before applying.

Traveling within two weeks? Check the State Department's urgent travel options.

After You Mail Your Renewal

Your USPS number follows the envelope to its destination. The State Department status system follows the application review. A delivered scan does not mean your renewal has been approved.

Our passport application and delivery tracking guide covers checking your status, tracking the new passport, and following up if documents do not arrive.