Jazmin Li
It is essential to have the proper documentation when travelling internationally, and many countries require passports to be valid for at least three to six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some countries require two to four blank visa or stamp pages in your passport, and if this is not met, you will need to renew your passport. While you cannot renew your passport at the airport, there are several ways to renew your passport, including online, by mail, or in person.
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What You'll Learn
Renewal eligibility criteria
United States
To renew a U.S. passport, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your passport must be valid for 10 years.
- You must be 25 years old or older.
- Your passport must be expiring within one year or have expired less than five years ago.
- You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
- You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport.
- You are a U.S. citizen living in the U.S. (state or territory).
- Your passport is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it lost or stolen.
- Your passport was issued when you were 16 years old or older.
- Your passport was issued within the past 15 years.
- Your passport was issued in your current name, or you can submit documentation of your name change.
- You have your most recent passport.
- You have a passport photo taken in the past six months.
- You can pay the required fees.
If you meet these criteria, you can generally renew your U.S. passport online or by mail. However, if you need expedited service, you must renew by mail and include the additional fee.
Canada
To renew a Canadian passport, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your passport must not be damaged, lost, or stolen.
- Your passport must be valid and not expired.
- You must be a Canadian citizen.
- You must complete the Canadian passport application form and provide the necessary documents, including your most recent passport, processing fee, and two recent identical photos.
If you meet these criteria, you can renew your Canadian passport at a passport office or by mail. Due to COVID-19, walk-in services at passport offices may be unavailable, and you may need to mail in your application or request an appointment.
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Renewal application process
Renewal applications for passports can be made online or by mail, and in some cases, in person. The exact process depends on the country of issuance, the type of passport, and the eligibility of the applicant. Here is a general overview of the renewal application process for different countries and scenarios:
United States:
For US passports, eligible individuals can renew their passports online or by mail. Renewal by mail is done using Form DS-82, which is submitted along with the supporting documents, photos, and fees. The DS-82 form is also used for online renewals during the limited beta release of the Online Passport Renewal System. Certain criteria must be met for online renewals, including being 25 or older, having an expiring or recently expired passport, not changing personal details, and not travelling internationally for at least 6 weeks after submitting the application.
If you are ineligible for online renewal or prefer to renew by mail, you can follow the mail-in renewal process. The National Passport Processing Center provides addresses and renewal details on its website. The cost to renew a passport book is $130, while a passport card costs $30, and both cost $160. Expedited service is available for an additional $60, and it typically takes 2-3 weeks, excluding mailing times.
For children under 16, special requirements apply. The child must appear in person with both parents or guardians and submit Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility, passport agency, or center.
Canada:
Canadian passports can be renewed at a passport office or by mail. The renewal time varies depending on the method. Renewing at a passport office usually takes 10 business days, while renewing in person at Canada Post or Service Canada takes about 20 business days. Due to COVID-19, walk-in services may not be available, and mailing times should be expected to take longer.
The renewal process involves completing the simplified Canadian passport application form, which can be downloaded from the Government of Canada's website. The form can be filled out online, printed, signed, and submitted to the nearest passport location or mailed with the necessary documents. The required documents include the most recent passport, processing fee, and two recent identical photos.
The cost of a standard five-year Canadian passport is $120, while a 10-year passport costs $160. Additional fees apply for replacing lost or stolen passports and for express or urgent processing. Urgent and express services are only available for in-person applications at a Canada passport office, with some exceptions.
Other Countries:
While the renewal process varies by country, there are some general considerations to keep in mind. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least three to six months beyond the dates of your trip. It is recommended to renew your passport early, as processing times can vary, and some countries and airlines may deny entry if your passport is expiring soon. Always check the specific requirements and processing times for your country of citizenship.
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Renewal fees
Renewal by Mail
When renewing a passport by mail, the applicant must submit their most recent passport(s) with their application. The standard processing time for mail renewals is 4 to 6 weeks, and there is no additional fee for this service. However, applicants can opt for expedited processing for a fee of $60, which reduces the processing time to 2 to 3 weeks. Applicants can also request faster shipping of their new passport for an additional fee of $22.05, which will ensure delivery within 1 to 3 days after printing.
Renewal in Person at a Passport Agency or Center
For urgent travel needs, applicants may choose to renew their passports in person at a passport agency or center. The standard processing time for in-person renewals is 2 to 3 weeks, and the expedited processing fee of $60 applies. Similar to mail renewals, applicants can request faster shipping for an additional fee of $22.05.
Renewal Online
Online passport renewals are available for applicants residing in the United States (including territories) who meet certain criteria, such as having a passport that is expiring within a year and not requiring any changes to their personal information. The processing time for online renewals is similar to that of mail renewals, and expedited service is not available for online renewals.
Renewal for Children
Children under 16 must apply for passport renewals in person using Form DS-11 and must be accompanied by both parents or guardians. The passport renewal process for children involves special requirements and fees, including parental consent and proof of the parental relationship.
It is important to note that applicants should be cautious of acceptance facilities charging a $35 fee for renewing a passport using Form DS-82. This fee is only applicable when applying with Form DS-11. Additionally, applicants should be aware of any penalties, such as a $500 fee for not providing a social security number.
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Renewal processing times
United States
U.S. citizens can renew their passports online or by mail. Routine service takes 4-6 weeks and does not include mailing times, which may add another 2 weeks. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for passport renewal early, even if it doesn't expire soon. Some countries require passports to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the trip dates.
Expedited service takes 2-3 weeks and costs an additional $60. This also does not include mailing times. To expedite a renewal, write "EXPEDITE" on the envelope and send it via Priority Mail Express.
Canada
Canadian passports can be renewed at a passport office or by mail. Renewing at a passport office usually takes 10 business days, while renewing in person at Canada Post or Service Canada takes about 20 business days. Mailing in the application also takes around 20 business days, excluding mailing time. Due to COVID-19, passport services in Canada have been reduced, and processing times may be longer.
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Renewal photo requirements
If you are renewing your passport online, you will need to upload a digital photo in .JPEG format. The photo must be a recent, high-resolution image taken within the last six months. The photo must be well-lit, with no shadows on your face, and cannot be blurry, grainy, or pixelated.
Your full face must be visible in the photo, with no head coverings or face masks that cover any part of your face. You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices. However, you can keep on your hat or head covering for religious or medical purposes, provided you submit a signed statement explaining that it is worn daily in public for religious reasons or for medical purposes, supported by a signed doctor's statement in the latter case. You can also keep your facial piercings and jewellery as long as they do not hide your face.
Make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed in the photo. Leave lots of space around your head and shoulders, and ensure that your photo is cropped to the right size. The photo must be 2 inches in height and 2 inches in width. Do not use computer software, phone apps, filters, or artificial intelligence to edit your photo.
If you are renewing your passport by mail, you will need to staple your printed passport picture to Form DS-82 in the dedicated space, using four staples located vertically in the corners and as close as possible to the edges. Photos attached in any other way or glued will be rejected.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot renew your passport at the airport. If you are a US citizen, you can renew your passport by mail or online if you are eligible. If you are a Canadian citizen, you can renew your passport at a passport office or by mail.
For US citizens, routine service takes 4-6 weeks and does not include mailing times. Expedited service takes 2-3 weeks and also does not include mailing times. For Canadian citizens, renewing at a passport office takes 10 business days, while renewing by mail takes 20 business days.
For US citizens, it costs $130 to renew a passport book, $30 to renew a passport card, or $160 for both. Expedited service costs an additional $60. For Canadian citizens, a standard five-year passport costs $120, while a 10-year passport costs $160.
It is recommended to renew your passport early, as many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after entry. Additionally, some airlines may deny boarding if your passport expires within six months.
