How to Renew Your Passport

Renewing your existing travel passport isn't as complicate as requesting an initial passport but it does still involve filling out some paperwork and waiting. The passport office must approve your passport renewal with just as many checks and balances as they used to approve your initial passport application.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport

How to Renew Your Passport

1. Download the U.S. state department form DS-82. This is the passport renewal form for those who have existing passports. A link to this form is posted below.
2. Date and sign your passport renewal application. Fill out all the spaces in the document that pertain to you. Read it carefully. Because this takes some time for approval, you would hate to not have completely filled out the form.
3. Get two passport photos taken. You can have this done at many post office branches, photography stores, drug stores and photocopy places.
4. Mail in your completed passport renewal form with the two passport photos and a $75 fee that is made out to the U.S. State Department.
5. Include a certified copy of any documents that prove that you've changed your name since your last renewal or initial application, if you have changed your name recently.