The USA passport renewal process may be accomplished through any U.S. citizen by either mail or perhaps in person. Renewal by mail is just an option if the passport holder fulfills all the specifications. By visiting a nearby passport office, process will still take a moment but it can be moved along somewhat smoother when you are on hand to supply any documentation that could be necessary. You will find services available on the web that will help to expedite this or even the federal government offers their own version of expedited service.
Receive Through Mail
In order to renew through postal mail, the passport owner should be eligible through meeting certain conditions, one of which is that the old passport is within good shape and able to be submitted along with the application form for renewal. The passport must also be less than 15 years old and issued in the holder’s current name. This passport must also have been issued to the holder when they were above the age of 16 in order to qualify for renewal by mail.
Much like anything else when it comes to the government, there are forms that should be finished. The renewal form must be printed out or filled out online and submitted along with the old USA passport. The form is easily located by going on the Internet and simply searching it out. This will need to be accompanied by two new color photos along with any applicable fees and if there is a name change since the issue date, supporting paperwork to that effect.
Renewal Process Times
The passport renewal normally takes four to six weeks when done through the common channels. The Department of State also offers an expediting service than can shorten the time to two to three weeks. If the need should arise that necessitates receiving the passport faster than this, there are private services that can expedite the process in as little as one to two business days. These services are perfect for emergency situations but do come with an additional fee.
If not all certain requirements can be met through the passport holder, then they should appear in person at a local Passport Issuing Agency office or Passport Acceptance Facility. The applicant should have on hand, the completed application for the new passport along with the photos, copies of the proper identification documents and the fee, in a an acceptable payment form. If expedited service in necessary, the applicant will still need to appear in person at one of these authorized facilities.
Advisable Information
The above recommendations are strictly for adults applying for a renewal, minors on the other hand have a few more guidelines that must be followed. They must apply personally no matter what, if they are still below the age of 16 or if the passport was issued while they were under that age. Then they are required to follow exactly the same guidelines being an adult and submit the renewal form along with pictures, ID and the processing fee, if any. Exactly the same rules for expediting apply for minors as they do adults in that they may choose either the governments offering or to go with one of the private service providers for a passport renewal.
U.S. citizens who reside in Canada may renew their passports by mail. U.S. citizens residing in other countries excluding Canada must renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A directory of the locations of these facilities may be found online.
If specific conditions are met, US passport renewal may be done via mail. Usually, the person must re-apply for a new passport personally. If a passport holder needs to receive the new passport quickly, the government or independent expediting passport agencies provide this service for an additional fee.