The steps to renew expired passports depend on meeting certain
conditions established by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of
Consular Affairs concerning passport renewals. There are four factors
that can affect whether or not you can renew your travel document or
whether you will have to apply for a new one. The requirements and steps
for renewing a passport follow.
Criteria for Renewing an Expired Passport
One,
passports issued to minors cannot be renewed. Therefore, if you age 15
or younger when your passport was issued, you cannot apply for renewal.
Another factor you need to consider is when your travel document was
issued to you. If you got it more than 15 years ago, you will have to
apply for a new one using Form DS-11.
Adult passports have a
validity of 10 years unless issued in emergency situations as a
temporary replacement. This means that you can renew by mail up to 5
years beyond its expiration date.
The last two criteria are the
condition of the passport and the name that is in it. Renewing expired
passports requires you to send them in along with the application.
However, damaged passports are not acceptable.
Either your name
has to be the same as that in your expired passport or you must be able
to document the change. This is done with an official document such as a
marriage certificate or court order.
How to Renew an Expired Passport
If
you meet all the requirements listed above, you can renew your passport
by mail. You first need to download and complete application Form
DS-82. Make sure that all the data you enter is correct.
Send the form
along with your expired passport, two passport photos, payment for fees
and legal proof of your name change if that is the case to the address
provided on the application.
Visit U.S. Passport Service Guide to download application for passport renewals.
In a hurry? See how to get passport fast,
In a hurry? See how to get passport fast,
