According to the United States Department of State (DOS), all people, regardless of age, must have their own, valid passport when traveling internationally. Passports are valid for a predetermined period of time and can be renewed by mail if the applicant is a U.S. citizen residing in the United States or Canada. Citizens renewing their passport in other countries should do so through the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Applicants cannot renew their passports and are required to obtain a passport in person if any of the following circumstances is true: - This is the first time the applicant is applying for a passport;
- The applicant is a child under age 16 (minor), or the previous passport was issued prior to his/her 16th birthday;
- The applicant's current passport was lost, stolen, or damaged;
- The applicant's previous passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; or
- The applicant's name has changed since the passport was issued and there is no legal document formally proving the name change.
When renewing a passport, the applicant must submit the following: - Form DS-82 (Application for U.S. Passport by Mail) - This form is used to request the renewal of a passport book, passport card, or both. It may be completed online and printed, downloaded from the DOS web site and completed by hand, or obtained from a passport acceptance facility.
- Proof of Name Change (if applicable) - If the applicant's name has changed from the way it appears on his/her citizenship documents, proof of legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order is required.
- Two Identical, Recent Photos of the Applicant - Photographs should be two inches by two inches in size, showing a full facial view of the applicant against a light background. These can be made at most photo shops by asking for passport photos.
- The Applicant's Most Recent Passport - The passport book and/or card must have been issued at age 16 or older, in his/her current name (or with proof of name change), undamaged, and issued within the past 15 years.
- All Passport Application Fees - Please verify the acceptable forms of payment, as well as the applicable fees.
These items should be placed in a padded envelope to avoid any damage, and mailed to the address indicated on the form. If a private delivery company is being used, a prepaid overnight return envelope may also be required. Please note that passports renewed by mail will only be mailed to U.S. and Canadian addresses. A renewed passport is valid for 10 years. The old passport will be cancelled and returned, although it may be sent separately. It is a good idea to keep it in a safe place as it is still considered proof of U.S. citizenship. To request additional visa/stamp pages in a passport book, a note to the effect should be included with the application. Official documents submitted with a passport application as supporting documentation will be returned to the applicant. They will either be sent separately, or included with the new passport. Further assistance and direction is available from the National Passport Information Center (NPIC). Additional Resources: Please note: To view and print .PDF documents, you must use the Adobe Reader software, which is available for download without charge. |
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