Renewing a Passport Versus Getting a New One

Renewing a Passport Versus Getting a New One

When you renew an expiring passport, you might expect to follow the same procedure that you did when you got your first passport. Fortunately, for most people, it's actually a lot easier the second time around. Here's how renewing your passport compares to getting a new one.

Renew by Mail

The first time you got your passport, you had to go to a passport acceptance facility, perhaps a post office, a library or a local municipal office. While there, you had to fill out the application form and sign it by hand in front of the person who took your application. Then, your application was placed in an envelope and mailed to the Department of State for you.

This time, you might not have to go to the post office at all. You are eligible to apply for a passport renewal by mail as long as all of the following statements are true:

Your current passport has not been lost, stolen or damaged.

You were past your 16th birthday when your current passport was issued.

Your current passport is less than 15 years old.

If you've been married, divorced or otherwise changed your name since your last passport was issued, you can submit legal documentation to support your name change request.

Now, if you answered "no" to any of the questions above, you'll need to apply at a post office just like you did the first time. However, if you answered "yes" to all, you can fill out your passport renewal application in the comfort of your own home and mail it in.

Required Documents

The first time you apply for your passport, you are required to prove both your identity and your US citizenship. So, you need a driver's license or another state-issued ID along with a copy of your birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.

However, when you renew your passport, your old passport serves as both proof of ID and proof of citizenship. All you need to send in is your current passport, 1 passport photo, the appropriate fees and a completed copy of passport renewal application form DS-82.

Fees

It's also a little bit cheaper to renew your passport than it is to apply for one. Since you don't have to apply in person, you don't have to pay the $25 acceptance fee that goes to the acceptance facility. Currently, it'll cost $110 to renew your passport, $140 if you'd also like a passport card and $30 for the card alone. Be aware that the passport card cannot be used for air travel or for travel anywhere other than Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.

POST COMMENT

Prestige BMW Found Near BMW of Morristown; BMW of Morristown Offers New 650i Coupe Preview Strange problems in Counter strike after getting new bb connection on AR800V v3.0 ONLINE DATING: The New Way to Meet People Home Energy Production System at Home Home Energy Production Using Solar and Wind Power Tata New Broadband-Slow access The Different Pitfalls of a New Siding Check Your Energy Usage: The Home Energy Audit Energy Saving Tips from Roofing and Siding Materials Enhance online presence of your website with SEO New York How to Conserving Energy Introducing Toyota's New Entune System The Types Of New Homes For Sale In Cambridgeshire