Is your passport expired or nearing the expiration date? If so, you can opt for USPS passport renewal services.
Certainly, you cannot use an expired passport to travel abroad. However, there is some good news. You have an opportunity to renew your passport through a post office. USPS has several locations that offer post office passport renewal services.
By opting for these services, you have a chance for faster passport processing. The US post office passport only takes 4-6 weeks as processing time. Also, you can apply for an expedited passport in case you need the document for emergency travels. Fortunately, the expedited renew service takes 1-2 days to process your passport.
Nonetheless, as a first-timer, renewing your passport through the post office can be tricky. Possibly, lack of information on how to go about it can be the major obstacle. If this is your case, this article is for you. Hence, read on and learn more on the way forward.
USPS Passport Renewal Appointment
When seeking USPS passport renewal services, you need to schedule an appointment. Some facilities offer walk-in services where no appointment scheduling is necessary.
However, offering walk-in services is becoming a challenge due to the surging number of citizens opting for the post office passport renewal services. To schedule an appointment, you have two options.
First, you can use the telephone scheduling. Here, you make a call to the nearest passport renewal post office. On the other hand, you can opt for online appointment scheduling. This process requires you to go to USPS Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler (RCAS) tool and schedule your appointment.
However, if your old passport is in good condition, you do not need any appointments. All you need is to fill the Form DS-82, pack the necessary documents, old passport, and new photos and mail them to the US Department of States.
So, your only business in the post office is purchasing a stamp and mailing your package. That definitely saves you lots of time and unnecessary travels, right?
USPS Passport Renewal Process
As noted above, not every person can renew their passport through the post office. Depending on the kind of passport you are holding, you can consider passport renewal by mail or post office. For passport renewal by mail, you do not need to visit post offices for other businesses other than stamp purchasing.
However, your passport must be in good condition and not older than 15 years. Also, the holder must be an adult. In addition, the passport must have been issued to them when they were 16 years and older.
Besides, your names must be the same as they were during the issuance of the passport. Or else, you should have a court order confirming the change. If you meet these requirements, your renewal process is simple. All you will need is to fill the US passport renewal form DS-82 then package it with supporting documents before sending it.
If your passport misses one of these requirements, you need to renew it in person through the post office renewal option.
Steps Necessary for Post Office Passport Renewal:
- Find a passport renewal post office in your location. You can use the USPS Locator to get a post office in your area that is offering passport services. Also, ensure the facility offers passport services. If it does not, you need to visit photo studios with passport photo services.
- Schedule a USPS passport renewal appointment. When you have a damaged passport, you need to appear in person to renew it. For this reason, you should call your post office to schedule a passport renewal appointment.
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Obtain the right form and passport photos. When renewing your passport, you can download Form DS-82 from the US Department of States website and fill it. You can fill the form manually or online.
If you lost your passport or it is older than 15 years, you need to fill Form DS-11 and follow the steps as first-time applicants. The same case applies if your passport is worn out. Also, you need post office passport photos. Some passport renewal facilities offer the photo services for an extra fee.
- Once you have done all of the above, submit your application.
Passport Renewal Post Office Locations
If your passport qualifies for mailed renewal, you can mail it through any post office. Otherwise, you need to appear in person if the passport fails to conform to the said criteria.
The first thing you need to look out for in the post office passport renewal process is the availability of the right facility. Why? Not every post office is a passport agent.
So, how do you find the passport post office locations? Use the postal locator available on the USPS website to trace one. This tool will help you to find a post office in your area offering passport renewal services. Also, the locator will help you to know the time when your local post office offers passport services.
Notably, USPS has 4,800 post offices spread around the country. Here, you can apply or renew your passports at any time. For those seeking post offices with walk-in services, you need to check the Department of States website. Either way, you will find a post office that meets your USPS passport renewal needs.
USPS Passport Renewal Fees
Unlike the first-time application, your passport renewal cost is low. When renewing your passport, you do not need to pay a $35 acceptance fee. This fee should only apply if your USPS passport renewal falls under the Form DS-11. However, you must pay a $110 application fee.
What if you have an urgent travel? Don’t worry; you can fasten the renewal process for an extra cost. Nonetheless, you will need to pay an additional $60 on top of the application fee. With this, you will get your new USPS passport in 14 days. In a word, the renewal cost of your passport will depend on the type of form you use plus its urgency.
How long does it take to get a passport renewed?
Typically, the USPS passport renewal process takes four to six weeks. If you opted for the expedited service, you will wait for 14-21 days only. After this period, you will receive your new passport through your mail.
Are you feeling restless because you are not sure whether your passport will arrive at the right time? Or else, you aren’t sure whether the process was successful. Well, there’s no need to fret. This is why.
You now have an opportunity to track the passport renewal process.
The passport renewal tracking services allow you to check the whereabouts of your application. Seven to ten days after submission of your application; you can track the progress by making a call or checking online.
Final Words
In summary, renewing your passport through the post office is easy. Is your passport expired or about to expire? If so, you can visit a post office offering passport renewal services in your area.
Notably, the passport renewal process is not as complex as your first time application. All you need is to fill the necessary forms, pay the required fees, and wait for your passport arrival. Also, you have an opportunity to track passport application processing. This way, you will know when to expect your new passport.
Do you have questions about USPS passport renewal? If so, we are here to help you. So, feel free to leave a comment below at any time.
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