How to Mail Passport Renewal Forms (2025): DS-82 Mailing Guide
Mail Your Passport Renewal with Tracking
Protect your passport renewal application with delivery tracking. Upload your completed DS-82 form and cover letter.
Mail Passport Renewal FormsRenewing your passport by mail is convenient—if you do it correctly. You'll need to mail your current passport, photos, completed Form DS-82, and payment to the State Department. This guide covers how to mail passport renewal forms safely, including the correct DS-82 mailing address for your state, what to include in your package, where to mail your passport renewal application, and how to track your application.
Quick Checklist: Passport Renewal by Mail
- • Form DS-82 - completed and signed
- • Your most recent passport - will be returned cancelled
- • Passport photo - 2"x2", taken within 6 months
- • Name change document - if your name has changed
- • Payment - check or money order to "U.S. Department of State"
- • 1-2 day delivery envelope (optional) - for expedited service return
Table of Contents
Who Can Renew by Mail? (Form DS-82)
You can renew by mail using Form DS-82 if you meet ALL of these requirements:
Eligible for Mail Renewal (DS-82)
- • Your most recent passport is undamaged and can be submitted
- • Your passport was issued when you were age 16 or older
- • Your passport was issued less than 15 years ago
- • Your passport is in your current name (or you can document the name change)
Must Apply In Person (DS-11)
You cannot renew by mail if:
- • Your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged
- • Your passport was issued when you were under 16
- • Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago
- • You're applying for your first passport
For these situations, use Form DS-11 and apply at a passport acceptance facility.
What to Include in Your Passport Renewal Package
1. Form DS-82 (Application)
- • Download from travel.state.gov or complete online and print
- • Complete all applicable fields
- • Sign and date in black ink
- • Do not laminate or alter the form
2. Your Most Recent Passport
- • Must be undamaged and submitted with application
- • Will be cancelled (holes punched) and returned
- • If you need it for travel before new passport arrives, don't renew by mail
3. Passport Photo
- • 2" x 2" color photo
- • Taken within the last 6 months
- • White or off-white background
- • Full face, front view, plain expression
- • No glasses allowed (effective 2016)
- • Write your name lightly on the back in pencil
4. Payment
- • Make check/money order payable to: "U.S. Department of State"
- • Passport Book: $130 (routine) or $190 (expedited)
- • Passport Card Only: $30
- • Both Book + Card: $160 or $220 (expedited)
- • Check current fees at travel.state.gov
5. Name Change Document (If Applicable)
- • Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
- • Must be certified copy with registrar's seal
- • Original documents will be returned
6. Prepaid Return Envelope (For Expedited)
If you're paying for expedited service ($60 extra), include a prepaid Priority Mail Express envelope addressed to yourself. This ensures your new passport is returned quickly.
Passport Renewal Mailing Addresses
The DS-82 mailing address depends on where you live and your processing speed. Always verify current addresses at travel.state.gov before mailing.
Routine Processing – If You Live in CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 640155
Irving, TX 75064-0155
Routine Processing – All Other States & Canada
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
Expedited Processing – All States
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
Write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of your envelope. Include the $60 expedite fee.
Important: Use USPS for DS-82 Renewals
- • Mail via USPS to the PO Box addresses listed above
- • FedEx/UPS cannot deliver to PO Boxes—applications sent via private courier may be returned
- • For current courier/hand-carry options (if any), check travel.state.gov
- • Addresses may change—always verify before mailing
- • Wrong address can delay processing by weeks
Expedited vs. Routine Processing
| Feature | Routine | Expedited |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Time | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
| Additional Fee | $0 | $60 |
| Total (Book) | $130 | $190 |
| Mailing Address | By state (see above) | Philadelphia, PA |
| Best For | No urgent travel | Travel in 3-6 weeks |
Need It Faster?
If you're traveling within 2 weeks, mail renewal won't be fast enough. You'll need to schedule an appointment at a passport agency for same-day or next-day service. Check travel.state.gov for agency locations and appointments.
How to Mail Your Passport Application Safely
Recommended Mailing
- • USPS Priority Mail - tracking included, 1-3 days
- • Priority Mail Express - fastest, 1-2 days
- • Certified Mail - tracking + proof of delivery
- • Signature Confirmation - added security
Avoid These
- • Regular First-Class - no tracking
- • Dropping in mailbox - higher loss risk
- • FedEx/UPS to PO Box - they can't deliver
Packaging Tips
- • Use a large envelope (don't fold your passport)
- • Use paper clips, not staples
- • Place photo in small envelope or taped to cardboard
- • Include a checklist of contents (optional but helpful)
- • Make copies of everything before mailing
Tracking Your Passport Application
Online Passport Status System
Track your application at passportstatus.state.gov
- • Status usually updates 2-3 weeks after mailing
- • You'll need your last name, birth date, and last 4 of SSN
- • Sign up for email updates when checking status
Typical Status Updates
- Not Available - Application not yet received/processed
- In Process - Application received and being reviewed
- Approved - Passport approved, being printed
- Mailed - New passport shipped to you
Also see our Passport Mailing Tracking Guide for more details on tracking what you sent and what you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I mail my passport renewal application?
Mail your DS-82 passport renewal form to one of the State Department processing centers via USPS. The address depends on where you live and your processing speed: routine renewals from CA, FL, IL, MN, NY, or TX go to Irving, TX; all other states go to Philadelphia, PA. Expedited renewals from any state go to a different Philadelphia PO Box. Always verify current addresses at travel.state.gov.
Should I send my passport renewal by certified mail?
Yes, using USPS trackable mail is strongly recommended. You're mailing your current passport and personal documents, so having proof of delivery is important. Priority Mail with tracking or Certified Mail provides the proof you need if anything goes wrong.
Do I have to mail my current passport for renewal?
Yes, you must include your most recent passport with your renewal application. It will be cancelled and returned to you with your new passport. If your current passport is damaged, lost, or stolen, you cannot renew by mail—you must apply in person using Form DS-11.
How long does passport renewal by mail take?
Routine passport renewal currently takes 4-6 weeks processing time (plus mailing time each way). Expedited processing takes 2-3 weeks and costs an extra $60. Processing times vary, so check travel.state.gov for current estimates and apply well before your travel date.
Can I get my old passport back?
Yes, your old passport will be returned to you with your new passport. It will be "cancelled" with holes punched through it, but you can keep it. If it contains valid visas, note that on your application and the visas may remain usable.
What if I need to travel before my new passport arrives?
If you already mailed your application and have urgent travel, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. You may be able to get expedited processing or schedule an agency appointment for emergency service.
Mail Your Passport Renewal with Confidence
Upload your DS-82 form and cover letter, and we'll send it with tracking—next-business-day mailing for orders by 8 PM ET.
Send Passport Renewal FormsRelated Government Mailing Guides
Last updated: • Passport renewal mailing guide
Tags: mail passport renewal, DS-82 mailing address, renew passport by mail, passport renewal form, mail passport application