A US passport enables a person to travel to other countries and
re-enter the country as a US citizen. There is no need for holders to
submit any other proof of their citizenship. So it is important that
this identification document is updated and renewed so as to experience
hassle free international travels.
Purpose of US Travel Permit
A person can possess only one valid US passport at a time. It is not a
compulsory rule that a US citizen should hold a US passport, but it is a
must if at all the person is planning to undertake frequent trips out
of the country. US citizens did not require a passport to travel to
Canada and Mexico, until recently. However they can now do so, only if
they have a valid US passport.
The two formats of travel permit issued are the traditional passport
book and the passport card. The book type is small with a navy color
cover. It resembles a small book and has many blank pages inside it. The
card type was introduced very recently (in 2008). It is highly compact
and resembles a credit card. Unlike the book type, it has no pages and
hence more convenient than the book. One major difference between the
two is that the card type can be used only when a person travels to and
from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean whereas the Passport
books can be used during all international trips.
When should one go in for US Passport Renewal?
When a person has a travel permit that is about to expire, he/she
should go in for US passport renewal. When a person applies for a
renewal, he/she should submit the old permit in order to get it
canceled, after which it will be returned. US passport is considered to
be a property of the US government. (It has the right to revoke any
person's travel permits on valid grounds.)
When a person applies for a new passport, it requires to be applied
in person. It is not so in the case of renewing passports. Renewal of US
Passports can easily be done through mail itself. A person can go in
for renewing if his/her US passport:
· is about to expire and is undamaged (so that it can be submitted along with the travel permit application)
· was issued when the person was 16 years of age or older
· was issued within the past 15 years
· was issued with the person's current name
A person can also renew his/her permit in case he/she wants to document their name change legally.
US Passport Renewal Process
There are two different situations in the process of renewing travel permit.
· Passport Renewal from inside the US - Form DS-82 (Application for a
US Passport by Mail) should be filed to renew US passport.
· Passport renewal from outside the US - US Citizens in Canada
should file Form DS-82 to the address mentioned on the form; Others
should renew their passports at their nearest US Consulate or Embassy
A person, whose US passport has been badly mutilated or damaged,
cannot apply for passport renewal through mail and should apply in
person only. Also if a person is behind on child support payments, then
this disqualifies him/her from applying for a renewal of the passport.
It is recommended that all passport renewal applications and personal
documents (for proof) be sent only by a traceable delivery method like
UPS, FedEx or USPS (United States Postal Service). The applicants are
also advised to mail their applications and supporting documents using a
secure packaging so as to protect the contents from extreme weather
conditions. The application and personal documents should not be folded
and applicants should never use a standard letter envelope.
Passports
that are renewed by mail in the US should be mailed only to US and
Canadian addresses.
Fee for Passport Renewal Process [http://www.amazines.com/article_detail_new.cfm/3328290?articleid=3328290]
The fee varies depending on whether the applicant is filing to renew either passport book or card.
Passport Book and Card - $140
Passport Book - $110
Passport Card - $30
