Renewing a U.S. passport by mail is the easiest way to keep your travel documents up to date and avoid a trip to a passport processing center. However, you must meet a few criteria to renew by mail. Your passport must be in your possession, so you can't use the mail option for lost or stolen passports. In addition, the passport must be less than 15 years old, issued when you were age 16 or older and contain your current name.

Download and print Form DS-82 from the State Department website (see Resources). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the form.

Fill out the form completely using black ink. Be prepared to include your Social Security number, place of birth, contact information and personal details such as height and hair color. Sign and date the form in the spaces provided.

Write a check or get a money order for the application fee of $75. If you want expedited service, add an additional $60. Expedited service takes about 2 to 3 weeks, including mailing time, while regular processing takes up to 6 weeks. Make the check out to the Department of State, and write your full name and birth date on the memo line. The fees may change at any time, so check the State Department website (see Resources) for the current fees.

Obtain two recent passport photos. The photos must be 2 inches x 2 inches and printed in color on a white or off-white background.

Make a copy of your marriage license or court order if your name has legally changed.

Put your old passport into a large padded envelope with the completed application, application fee, passport photos and marriage license, if applicable. Write "expedite" on the front of the envelope if you are requesting expedited service. Seal the envelope well and mail it to the address listed on instruction page 2 of Form DS-82. The State Department recommends overnight shipping.

Wait for your new passport to arrive in the mail, usually 4 to 6 weeks after you have submitted your application. If you paid for expedited service, you could have your new passport in as little as 2 weeks.

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