Renewing Your Passport Is Easier Than You Think

Do you want to know how to renew a passport? Then you have come to theright place. First of all, you have to understand that you have severaloptions when it comes to passport renewal.For one, you can visit the US Embassy nearest you if you are currentlyliving outside the United States. Another option would be to send it bymail. Take note that you need to meet several requirements in order todo this.

Renew By Mail

Persons who can renew their passports via mail are those bearingpassports that are in good condition, those who were at least 18 yearsold when their passport was issued, those passports that were issuedwithin the last 15 years, and passports that have the bearer's currentlegal name. What if you had a change of name since your recently issuedpassport? You should at least be able to legally document the change inyour name.

When To Go In Person
However, if all the instances above do not apply to you, you should personally appear at the american passportoffice to renew your passport. Personal appearance is required inseveral instances including a damaged passport, and passports that havebeen issued more than 15 years ago. This is an additional step, butthis just ensures that the correct passport is issued to the rightperson.

What Forms Do I Need?
Passport renewals by mail are allowed for US citizens living in any ofthe 50 states, or those US citizens who are living in Canada. To renewyour passport by mail, you first need to fill in the Form DS-82 beforemailing it. You may fill in this form online or you can also downloadthe form and complete it by hand.

Since your passport renewal form contains your personal information,you should do everything to protect those pieces of sensitiveinformation. First, make sure that your mail is received by theaddressee by mailing it in a traceable way. Most courier services nowoffer this kind of option. Aside from that, make sure that the envelopeyou're using is durable, and cannot be damaged by just anyone or bynature.

What To Do If You Are Living Outside The U.S.
In case you are living outside the United States or Canada, you need tovisit the nearest US embassy to have your passport renewed. The embassywill provide you with all the necessary forms to do this. This is theonly option you have if you're based in a foreign country.

How Long Does It Take?
Currently, passport processing times take 4-6 weeks. But not everyonehas the time to wait this long for their passports. If you need to getyour passport quickly, you have an option to expedite the processing,which depends on several requirements. You will be allowd to have theprocess expedited if you need the passport within 2 weeks for foreigntravel, or within 4 weeks when you're applying for a foreign visa.Visit your Regional Passport agency for expedited passport renewal.

If you're wondering how to renew your passport,the information that we supplied you above will help you do it the easyway. We would recommend that you apply by mail as this enables you torenew your american passportat the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is to fill up thenecessary documents, then send it by mail. After 2-6 weeks (dependingon your situation), your new passport will then be delivered to you.