Passport Renewal (DS-82) — Mail-In Service
Renew Your U.S. Passport — Skip the Office, Renew by Mail
If your current passport was issued when you were 16 or older, within the last 15 years, is undamaged, and you can document any name changes — you can renew entirely by mail using Form DS-82. No in-person visit to an acceptance facility required. Fast Passport Center handles the entire process: expert document pre-review, professional application preparation, expedited courier submission to the U.S. Department of State, and real-time tracking until your new passport arrives. As fast as 24 hours for emergency renewals.
Renew My Passport NowEligibility
Do You Qualify for Passport Renewal (DS-82)?
Renewing by mail is the simplest path — no in-person visit to an acceptance facility. You just need to meet all four of these conditions. If even one condition doesn't apply, you'll need a new passport application (DS-11) instead.
You Qualify for Renewal (DS-82)
- Your current passport was issued when you were 16 or older
- Your current passport was issued within the last 15 years (from the issue date, not the expiration date)
- Your current passport is undamaged — no water damage, torn pages, or mutilation
- Your current passport is in your current legal name, OR you can legally document your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)
Good news: If you meet all four conditions above, you can renew entirely by mail. No appointment needed — we'll handle the entire process for you. Name change tip: If your passport was issued less than 1 year ago, you may qualify for Form DS-5504 instead — a free name-change-only form. Check our Name Change service page first if that applies to you.
You Need a New Passport Instead (DS-11)
If any one of the following applies, you cannot renew by mail and must apply in person using Form DS-11:
- Your passport was issued before you turned 16 — You must apply in person using Form DS-11 as a new passport application
- Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago — Passports issued 15+ years ago are not eligible for renewal by mail
- Your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged — You must report the loss/stolen status (DS-64) and apply in person with DS-11
Still not sure which form applies to you?
Try our Not Sure Which Form You Need? finder toolProcessing Speeds
Choose Your Renewal Processing Speed
From same-week emergency service to standard processing, we handle passport renewals at every speed tier. Select your timeline and head to checkout to see full pricing.
Hand Carry Services
Premium courier-handled submissions for the fastest possible turnaround
2–3 Business Days
Processing Time
Our fastest processing tier. Ideal for urgent travel — tomorrow, this weekend, or early next week. Hand-courier delivery with reserved agency slot.
- Hand-courier delivery to agency
- Reserved agency processing slot
- Overnight return delivery
- Dedicated case manager
- Real-time status tracking
4 Business Days
Processing Time
Expedited processing for travelers with a trip coming up in about a week. Priority courier submission with faster-than-standard turnaround.
- Priority courier submission
- Expedited agency processing
- Overnight return delivery
- Real-time status tracking
7 Business Days
Processing Time
A balanced option for travelers who need their passport within about two weeks. Reliable expedited processing without the premium rush pricing.
- Expedited courier submission
- Government expedited processing
- Overnight return delivery
- Real-time status tracking
9 Business Days
Processing Time
Accelerated processing for travelers with a trip 2–3 weeks out. Faster than standard government timelines without paying for top-tier rush service.
- Accelerated courier submission
- Government expedited processing
- Overnight return delivery
- Status tracking included
Smart Saver Services
Great for travelers who have time to spare.
3–5 Weeks
Processing TimeThe most affordable option for travelers who have plenty of time before their trip and want to save on processing fees.
- Expert document pre-review
- Application preparation & assembly
- Standard government processing
- USPS Priority Mail return
The Process
How Passport Renewal Works
Four simple steps to renew your passport by mail. No appointment, no acceptance facility visit — just upload, review, and receive.
Complete Your Renewal Online
Start your secure order on our website. Upload a scan or photo of your current passport and a new passport photo. If you're also changing your name, include your certified name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Our system guides you through exactly what you need for Form DS-82 — no guesswork, no missed fields.
Expert Document Review
Our passport specialists review every document for compliance before submission. We check your DS-82 for errors, verify your photo meets State Department specifications, confirm your name change documentation is complete (if applicable), and validate your current passport is eligible for renewal. If anything is wrong, we tell you exactly what to fix before it reaches the government.
We Handle Everything — No Office Visit Needed
Unlike new passport applications (DS-11), renewals don't require an in-person visit to an acceptance facility. Simply mail us your signed DS-82, current passport, photo, and name change documents (if applicable) with our prepaid label. We'll professionally package everything and hand-carry it to the U.S. Department of State.
Track & Receive Your New Passport
Once submitted, you get real-time tracking updates through your personal dashboard. Your new 10-year passport arrives at your door — as fast as 24 hours for emergency service. Your old passport is returned separately with a cancellation stamp.
Why Fast Passport Center
Why Choose Us for Your Renewal
Even renewals can hit roadblocks — expired eligibility, missing docs, wrong photos. Here's why thousands of Americans trust us to get their renewal right the first time.
Expert Document Review
Our passport specialists have reviewed thousands of DS-82 renewal applications. We catch the small mistakes — expired passport dates, wrong photo specifications, missing name change documentation — that cause government rejections and weeks of delays. Most competitors just forward your documents without checking them.
Registered Hand-Courier Service
We are a registered U.S. Department of State passport courier, authorized to hand-deliver applications directly to passport agencies. When you need speed, our couriers physically walk your renewal in — no mail delays, no lost envelopes, no waiting in government processing queues.
Real-Time Tracking & Support
From the moment you submit your renewal order, you get a personal tracking dashboard. See exactly where your application is in the process. Need help? Our U.S.-based support team is available by phone and email — real humans, not chatbots.
Best Price Guarantee
We typically charge 30–100% less than other registered passport couriers like FedEx and Staples. If you find a lower published price from any other registered passport courier for the same renewal service, we'll match it. No hidden fees, no surprises.
What You'll Need
Passport Renewal Requirements & Documents
Here's everything you need to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82. We'll review all your documents before submission to ensure nothing is missing or incorrect.
Your Current Passport
- Must be undamaged — no water damage, torn pages, or mutilation
- Issued when you were 16 or older
- Issued within the last 15 years (from the issue date)
- Must be submitted with your renewal application
- Your old passport will be returned with a cancellation stamp
Passport Photo
- One 2×2 inch color passport photo
- Taken within the last 6 months
- White or off-white background
- Full face, front view with a neutral expression
- No glasses (as of 2016 regulation)
Form DS-82
- Complete Form DS-82 online or by hand in black ink
- Use your full legal name as it appears on your current passport
- If your name has changed, you must provide legal documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If the name change is your only change and your passport was issued within 1 year, consider Form DS-5504 instead — no government fee.
- Provide your Social Security number (required by law)
- Sign and date the form — no acceptance agent signature needed for DS-82
Name Change Documentation (If Applicable)
- Certified marriage certificate if changing due to marriage
- Certified divorce decree if reverting to maiden name
- Court order for any court-ordered name change
- The document must show the link between your current name and the name on your passport
- Important: If your passport was issued less than 1 year ago and your only change is the name, use Form DS-5504 instead — it's free. For passports issued 1–15 years ago, use DS-82 (standard renewal fee applies).
- If you cannot legally document the name change, you must use DS-11 instead
Government Fees
- Renewal application fee payable to the U.S. Department of State
- No execution fee required — DS-82 renewals are processed entirely by mail
- Exact fees vary — check current fee schedule on travel.state.gov
- Our service fee is separate and covers expert review, courier handling, and expedited processing
Proof of Travel (For Expedited Service)
- For emergency/expedited processing, proof of travel may be required
- Flight itinerary or travel confirmation showing departure date
- Business travelers: letter from employer on company letterhead
- We'll guide you on exactly what to provide based on your processing speed
Passport Courier LOA
- A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for a courier service to submit your passport application on your behalf
- Without a signed LOA, the passport agency won't accept a courier-submitted application — this is non-negotiable
- When you sign up, Fast Passport Center sends you a pre-filled LOA along with complete step-by-step instructions
- Need a courier LOA? Click here to get started today
Tip: Renewing is generally much simpler than applying for a new passport — no in-person visit, no acceptance fee, and fewer documents. Our expert team still reviews everything to prevent rejections.
Questions?
Passport Renewal FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about renewing your U.S. passport by mail using Form DS-82.
Yes — passport renewal (Form DS-82) is done entirely by mail. Unlike new passport applications (DS-11), you do not need to visit a passport acceptance facility, make an appointment, or have your application sealed by an acceptance agent. You simply complete the form, sign it yourself, mail us your current passport and photo with our prepaid label, and we handle the rest. This is the biggest advantage of qualifying for a renewal.
Still have questions? Our team is here to help.
Call 877-253-0084Ready to Renew?
Your renewed passport is closer than you think.
Skip the post office, skip the lines, skip the paperwork confusion. Start your renewal online and our expert team will guide you every step of the way — from document review to expedited courier submission to delivery at your door. No in-person visit required.
Renew My Passport Now