When to Renew Your U.S. Passport (Before It Expires)
A U.S. passport is valid for 10 years, but that doesn't mean you can wait until the last month. Processing time, mail time, the busy season and other countries' entry rules all eat into your margin. Here's how to work out when to renew, based on the U.S. Department of State's own guidance.
The short answer
- Renew about 9 months before it expires if you might travel abroad. Many countries won't let you in if your passport expires within six months of your arrival, so the last six months of validity are often unusable for international trips.
- Allow at least two to three months for the renewal itself if you're using routine service.
- Apply between October and December if you can. The State Department says demand is highest from late winter through summer.
How long renewal takes
The State Department lists processing times that don't include mailing:
| Service | Processing time | Extra fee |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | 4 to 6 weeks | None |
| Expedited | 2 to 3 weeks | $60 |
| Urgent travel (in person at a passport agency) | For travel within 14 calendar days, by appointment | $60 expedite fee |
Mailing adds time on both ends. The State Department notes it can take up to two weeks from mailing your form until your status first shows "In Process", and your old passport and documents come back separately, up to four weeks after the new passport arrives. Paying $26.87 for 1-3 day return delivery speeds up only the final leg.
Put together, a routine mail-in renewal can realistically take two to three months from envelope to passport in hand. Plan for that, and treat expedited service as the backup, not the plan.
The six-month validity rule
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry, or beyond your planned departure. Airlines check this at check-in and can refuse to board you. Others require three months, and some only require validity for the length of your stay. The State Department's country information pages list each country's requirement under "Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements". Check every country on your itinerary, including transit stops.
Because of this rule, a passport that "expires in August" can stop working for a trip in March. That's why the safe renewal point is roughly nine months before expiration: six months of required validity plus up to three months of processing and mailing.
Ways to renew
Online
The State Department now offers online renewal for eligible adults applying for routine service. It isn't available for expedited service, so if you're in a hurry, use the mail-in or in-person route.
By mail (Form DS-82)
You can renew by mail if all of these are true:
- You can send your most recent passport with the application.
- It was issued within the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older, and was valid for 10 years.
- It has never been reported lost or stolen and isn't damaged beyond normal wear.
- It's in your current name, or you can send a certified name-change document such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Mail-in renewal fees are $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card and $160 for both, paid by check or money order to the U.S. Department of State.
In person
If you don't meet the mail-in rules (for example, your passport was issued more than 15 years ago, or was lost or stolen), you must apply in person as if it were your first passport, using Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility.
Children's passports can't be renewed
Passports issued to children under 16 are valid for only 5 years and can't be renewed. Each new passport is a fresh in-person application with both parents' consent. If you have kids, track their expiry dates separately. They come up twice as often as yours.
If you're already in a hurry
If you're traveling in less than three weeks, the State Department says to make an appointment at a passport agency or center. Your appointment must be within 14 calendar days of your travel date, and you'll need proof of travel. Appointments are limited, so call as soon as you know.
Keep the date where you'll see it
Passports are easy to forget because you look at them once or twice a year. Note the expiration date of every passport in the household (and anyone's passport card) along with a reminder at about nine months out. The same habit works for driver's licenses, visas, residence cards and Global Entry, each of which has its own renewal window.
Frequently asked questions
How early can I renew my U.S. passport?
There's no minimum. You can renew at any time if you meet the renewal requirements, and the new passport is valid for 10 years from its issue date. Remaining time on the old passport isn't added to the new one.
Can I travel with a passport that expires in less than six months?
Sometimes. It depends on the destination. Many countries require six months of validity, some require less. Check each country on the State Department's country information pages, and remember that your airline may enforce the rule at check-in.
How long does passport renewal take right now?
The State Department lists routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited at 2 to 3 weeks, not counting mailing time. Check travel.state.gov for current times before you apply.
Can I renew my child's passport by mail?
No. Passports for children under 16 can't be renewed. You apply for a new one in person with Form DS-11.
Fees and processing times change. Check travel.state.gov before you apply.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State: Renew your passport by mail
- U.S. Department of State: Processing times
- U.S. Department of State: Renew your passport online
- U.S. Department of State: Country information pages