A passport gives you the right to travel and show you are a citizen. It can be easy to obtain, but you will need to allow several weeks before you need to have it. Passport renewal should be done when you have a name change, it has been lost or stolen or if it is expiring.

You should get this done as soon as possible if you are planning on traveling since many countries require that it be issued more then 6 months before the date of entry. If you have one expire while you are out of the US, it can cause problems leaving a foreign country and traveling anywhere else. You may also have problems trying to reenter into the US as well.

You may renew it by mail if you meet the criteria set forth by the government. You must have your passport available to be returned with your paperwork, and it must be undamaged. Your passport must also have been issued when you were over the age of 16, and within the last 15 years. You must also have it issued in your current name.

If the above does not apply to you, then you need to go to a facility and do it face to face. You will also have to do this if you were under 16 when you got your passport, your name has changed, and it is your first one. You also need to do this if you are unable to locate your current passport due to any reason.

If you mail it, you must submit the forms with your passport. It is strongly suggested you use a traceable mailing method and take steps to not have any damage to the package while in transit since they will not process it if it is damaged at all. You must also send it from the US and have it delivered to a US or Canadian address.

If you go in person, you must go to an agency or facility and fill out the right forms. You need to make sure you bring all the documentation required with you; including your social security card and birth certificate as well as any other ID they want. You will need to wait to sign the forms until you are told to by an agent in your interview.

Fees must be paid at the time you apply for the renewal with either method. If you mail it, be sure to include payment as part of your paperwork, and have the funds available at your interview in person. Fees, locations of agencies, and addresses to mail and forms are available from the government website.

If you need emergency USA passport renewal while abroad, contact the local US consulate for assistance. If you need one for international travel in two weeks, or to obtain a foreign visa in 4 weeks, then contact your regional New Passport agency for assistance. These places will help you to the best of their ability in an emergency.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!