If you're planning on any international travel in 2025, ensuring that your passport is up-to-date is crucial for avoiding canceled trips and frustration.
While Americans can go to many places without a visa on their vacations, a current passport is a must. Here's what you need to renew your passport in 2025.
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What Documents Do You Need To Renew A Passport In The U.S.A?
US passport on top of a book and suitcase
The documents (and steps) you need to renew a passport in the U.S. are similar to those that you need to apply for an original passport. However, this time, you won't need to submit citizenship or related proof of ID documents, since you already have a valid passport (even if it's about to expire).
There are three different ways to renew a passport in the U.S.; online, by mail, or in person. Renewing online is the most convenient, because you don't have to submit paperwork through the mail. However, processing time is the same for all methods.
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Renewal applicants are able to submit by mail if they have their existing/most recent passport available (and it's not damaged; passport rips can also prevent you from traveling), the passport has never been reported lost or stolen, and the passport is relatively new (issued within the last 15 years, and when you were age 16+).
The passport must also match your current name . If you do not meet these requirements, you will need to visit a passport acceptance facility .
How to renew a passport online in the U.S.A
Renewing a passport online is relatively straightforward if you meet the requirements. The U.S. Department of State's requirements for online renewal are:
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Passport is/was valid for 10 years You're 25 or older Your passport expired within the last 5 years or will expire within 1 year You're not changing personal info like name, gender, or place/date of birth info You live in the U.S. (in either a state or U.S. territory) You don't have a special passport like an official or diplomatic one You don't need to use your passport during the processing time; you'll still have the expiring passport, but it won't be 'active'
To renew a passport online in the U.S., you'll only need to meet the aforementioned requirements, create an online account, submit the application digitally, enter your passport information and travel plans, and upload a photo that meets passport requirements. Essentially, no documents are required, except that digital form and a photograph.
Documents required for passport renewal in the U.S.A.
If you're renewing your passport by mail in the U.S., you'll need to print and send in a passport renewal form. The renewal form (DS-82) is not the same as the original passport (DS-11) form.
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Form DS-11 printed and filled out (the U.S. State Department has a handy online form filler tool) Your most recent passport* Any name change documents as applicable (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree, or another name-change document like a court order) A photo that meets passport photo requirements A check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for the applicable fees
*The Department of State notes that renewing by mail requires you to send in your current/most recent passport. The passport will be returned to you (and it's recommended that you keep it), but it could take up to four weeks after your new passport arrives. Suffice it to say, don't plan on traveling once you submit your documents for passport renewal.
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Also, make sure you send in the right documents depending on what you want to renew and/or add. For example, if you have both a Passport Book and Card, you need to send in both for renewal. If you only have one, either a Passport Book or Card, you have to send whichever you have.
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How much does it cost to renew a United States passport?
Passport renewal fees depend on a few factors, but an adult renewing a Passport Book will pay a $130 application fee.
Document
Cost
Passport Book
$130
Passport Card
$30
Passport Book & Card
$160
Renewing A Passport Can Take The Same Amount Of Time As Applying For A New Passport
US passport next to a laptop and credit card
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According to the U.S. Department of State, which processes passports, the passport renewal timeframe is anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. However, mailing time (the passport being sent to you via U.S. postal mail) is not included in these estimates.
What is the fastest way to renew my US passport?
With processing times being the same across the board, the only difference between renewing online and renewing by mail or in person is the mailing time for documents to travel back and forth. When you renew via mail or in person at a facility, your documents have to travel by USPS to get to the processing center.
Then, they have to be mailed back to you. Thus, the fastest way to renew your passport is by way of the online system.
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You can also pay for expedited service and faster delivery; the former costs $60 (although the U.S. Department of State also has a method of requesting a refund if you pay the $60 and you don't get expedited service -- so there is apparently no guarantee) and the latter $21.36 for 1-2 Day Delivery.
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Expedited service means you may get your passport within 2 to 3 weeks instead of 4 to 6.
References: U.S. Department of State, U.S. Government