If you have a passport that's about to expire, you may be wondering how the renewal process differs from the process of applying for a new one. Here are several key differences you should be aware of:
You Can Apply By Mail
When you apply for a new passport, you have to appear in person at a post office or another facility that accepts passport applications. However, in most cases, you can apply for a renewal by mail.
To determine whether or not you are eligible to apply by mail, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I still have my old passport?
Is it still in good condition?
Was I age 16 or older when it was issued to me?
Was it issued less than 15 years ago?
Can I provide legal proof for a name change (if applicable)?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are eligible to renew your passport by mail. If you answered no, you'll have to go through the new passport application process again, just like you did the first time.
Different Forms
New passport applications and passport renewals use different application forms. When renewing your passport by mail, you'll use Form DS-82. If you were applying in person for a new passport, you would use Form DS-11.
Your Old Passport Serves as ID and Proof of Citizenship
When you apply for a new passport, you have to bring proof of identity and proof of citizenship to the passport application facility. However, you don't need your birth certificate or driver's license to apply for a passport renewal. Instead, you'll simply use your current passport as proof of identity and proof of citizenship.
One thing that's not different, though, is the processing time. Whether it's for a renewal or for a new passport, a passport application takes at least 6 weeks to process unless expedited processing is ordered. Paying an additional $60 gets your passport processed in about 3 weeks, while citizens who need their passport sooner than that can apply in person at a regional passport agency office or apply through the mail using a private passport expediting company.
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