If your passport has expired, then you’ll naturally need to have it renewed. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use it to travel to foreign destinations where US passports are required. You have several options when renewing your passport: sending it by mail, send it in person, or visit your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. What option is available to you depends on where you’re based, and if you are able to meet the requirements for renewing passports. First, let’s talk about renewing your Expired USA Passport by mail.
Mail Submission
If you’re after convenience, then applying for a replacement US passport by mail is the option for you. The good thing about this is that you no longer need to go to the passport office just to submit the requirements for your passport renewal. With this option, you simply have to mail all the requirements, and you’ll just have to wait for the new passport, which will also arrive by mail.
Requirements
Unfortunately, not everyone can have his or her expired passports renewed by mail. You must first meet the requirements for those who can do this: your passport should be in a good condition, your passport was issued to you when you were over 16 years old, and that your passport was issued during the last 15 years. Also, your current passport must contain your legal name. Otherwise, you will be required to legally document your name change.
Damaged Passport
What if your passport is damaged, or was issued more than 15 years ago? If you do not meet the requirements mentioned above, then you will have to submit all your application documents in person to your nearest passport office. This may be an additional step, but only to ensure that the passport is issued to the right applicant.
Department Of State
Another requirement for expedited U.S. passport renewal by mail is that you should be based in the US or Canada. So if you are based in either of these countries, then you can just download Form DS-82 at the US Department of State’s website and fill in all the necessary details. After accomplishing this form, you can then submit it to the passport office by mail, along with the other necessary documents.
Living Abroad
If you are living outside the US or Canada, however, you cannot choose to apply for a Passport renewal by mail. You will then need to visit your nearest US Embassy or Consulate for your passport renewal. Just provide them with the necessary requirements and they will help you process your passport. Keep this in mind just in case you are traveling to a foreign destination.
Method Options
For your security, you should use a traceable method of delivery when sending your passport by mail. This ensures that it is only received by the addressee and nobody else. Also, make sure you use a durable envelope to keep the documents contained in it safe before processing.
Application Process
Your application for Expired U.S. Passport renewal normally takes four to six weeks to process through the routine application. However, you could also have the process expedited if you need your passport sooner. This will cut the processing time to just two to three weeks. That’s everything you need to know on how to renew your expired United States Passport.