Travel guides / Passports, visas and ID
Passports, visas and IDHow to renew a US passport (and how long it takes)
Most adults can renew a US passport without going in person. Here is who qualifies, what it costs, and how long to allow before a trip.
Can you renew by mail or online?
You can usually renew with Form DS-82 if your most recent passport:
- is in your possession and not damaged,
- was issued when you were 16 or older,
- was issued within the last 15 years, and
- is in your current name, or you can show a legal name change document.
If any of these is not true, apply in person with Form DS-11, for example at a post office or county clerk that accepts passport applications. Children under 16 always apply in person.
Online renewal
The State Department offers online renewal for eligible adults on its website. It is for routine service only, and you must not have international travel planned soon, because your old passport is cancelled when you apply. If you need expedited service, renew by mail.
Fees
The renewal fee for an adult passport book has been $130. Expedited service adds $60, and faster return delivery costs extra. Fees change, so check the State Department's current fee table before you pay.
How long it takes
Processing times change through the year. The State Department posts current routine and expedited times on its website; add mailing time in both directions. As a rule of thumb, apply at least two to three months before you travel, and earlier before peak travel seasons.
Many countries need 6 months left
Many countries want your passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, and some want blank pages. India's e-Visa, for example, asks for six months' validity and two blank pages. Check your destination's rules before you book.
Urgent travel
If you have international travel within a few weeks, the State Department offers appointments at passport agencies for urgent travel. You need proof of travel, such as a ticket.
Handy tools
Keep reading
- REAL ID: do you need one to fly in the US?
- ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program: who needs it and what it costs
- US visitor visa (B-1/B-2): steps, fees and the interview
Sources
- U.S. State Department: Renew your passport online
- U.S. State Department: Passports, fees and processing times (travel.state.gov)
Rules, fees and processing times change. Check the official sources above before you travel. Last checked October 2026.