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Passport renewal versus a new application depends on your age when the passport was issued, its condition and history, and whether it was a 10-year adult passport. Most adults with a recent, undamaged passport that was not reported lost or stolen can use Form DS-82 to renew by mail; some eligible adults can renew online. Everyone else—including children under 16 and adults with a lost, stolen, seriously damaged, or too-old passport—uses the in-person DS-11 process. The sections below show which path applies, what it costs, and how much calendar time to allow.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Fee for a book | Submission | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult renewal (DS-82) | Adults with a qualifying prior passport | Issued within 15 years while you were at least 16; a 10-year passport; not reported lost or stolen or damaged beyond normal wear | $130 application fee | Mail; eligible adults may use online renewal | November 2026 |
| Adult new application (DS-11) | First-time adults or adults who fail renewal rules | In-person application at an acceptance facility | $130 application + $35 acceptance fee | In person | November 2026 |
| Child new application | Applicants under 16 | Children cannot renew; apply for a new passport in person | $100 application + $35 acceptance fee | In person | November 2026 |
| Adult online renewal | Eligible U.S. citizens in the United States seeking routine service | Separate eligibility rules; expedited service is unavailable online | Check the current online renewal flow | Online | November 2026 |
Prices checked November 2026.
The short version: renewal is an option only when your prior passport meets the State Department’s conditions. If you have never had a passport, cannot submit the qualifying passport, or fail one of the renewal tests, use DS-11 in person. “New application” describes the process, not necessarily whether you have held a passport before: an adult with an old, lost, stolen, or otherwise ineligible passport also applies through DS-11.
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When can an adult renew a U.S. passport?
You can generally renew by mail when all of the Department of State’s conditions are met:
- Your most recent passport is available to submit and has not been reported lost or stolen.
- It was issued within the last 15 years.
- You were at least 16 when it was issued, and it was a 10-year adult passport.
- The passport is not damaged beyond normal wear.
- You can submit it in your current name, or include legal evidence of a name change.
These tests work together. A passport being relatively recent does not by itself make it renewable: it also has to have been issued when you were at least 16, be the 10-year adult type, be available, and meet the condition and loss-or-theft requirements. Likewise, having an adult passport does not overcome an issue date more than 15 years ago.
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If one of these conditions fails, use the first-time/non-renewal process with DS-11 instead of trying to force a DS-82 renewal. A passport issued to you as a child under 16 is not eligible for adult renewal, even if you are now an adult. Your current age does not change the age you were when that passport was issued.
The 15-year test is measured from the passport’s issue date, while the age test is your age when that passport was issued. A passport that has expired can still meet the renewal route if it otherwise satisfies the Department’s conditions; expiration alone is not the same as being issued more than 15 years ago. Check the current renewal instructions for any exception that applies to your record.
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Use DS-11 and apply in person if you are applying for your first passport or if your prior passport does not qualify for renewal. Common non-renewal situations include:
- The passport was reported lost or stolen.
- It is damaged beyond ordinary wear.
- It was issued more than 15 years ago.
- It was issued when you were under 16.
- You cannot submit the required prior passport.
The Department of State’s adult application guidance treats these as new-application circumstances. Do not mail a DS-82 when the prior passport was lost or stolen; the agency needs the in-person process and any required loss or theft reporting.
“Damaged beyond normal wear” is an eligibility test, not an invitation to guess that a passport with substantial damage will pass. If you are uncertain whether the document is acceptable, check the Department’s current adult application and renewal instructions before selecting the form. Do not assume that a passport can be renewed merely because you still have it.
If your old passport is missing and you cannot meet the DS-82 requirement to submit it, the relevant distinction is not whether it has technically expired. You should follow DS-11 instructions and the Department’s directions for a missing passport. A reported loss or theft is specifically disqualifying for mail renewal.
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What if my name has changed?
A name change does not automatically prevent renewal. If the passport otherwise qualifies, submit a legal name-change document with the renewal, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, following the current DS-82 instructions. If you cannot document the change in the form of evidence the Department accepts, the application may need a different process or additional documentation; check the official instructions before mailing.
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The name issue is separate from the other renewal tests. Legal proof can support the difference between the name on your passport and your current name, but it does not make an old, lost, stolen, child-issued, or seriously damaged passport eligible for DS-82. Resolve both questions: whether the passport qualifies, and what evidence is needed for the name shown on the new application.
Which form should I use?
| Form or channel | Use it when | How it is submitted |
|---|---|---|
| DS-82 | Qualifying adult renewal with an eligible prior passport | Mail it with the most recent passport and a passport photo. Eligible adults may instead use the Department’s online renewal service. |
| DS-11 | First-time adult application, child application, or any adult who does not meet DS-82 rules | Apply in person at a passport acceptance facility. |
| Online renewal | Eligible U.S. citizens located in the United States who meet the online criteria and want routine service | Complete the Department’s online process; it cannot be expedited. |
DS-82 is a renewal application sent directly by mail, not a DS-11 appointment at a post office. Postal employees should not review a DS-82 application or charge the DS-11 acceptance fee. The passport book or card you submit is returned separately after the new passport is issued, so keep copies of your records and monitor both deliveries.
Online renewal is a distinct route, not simply a way to upload a DS-82. It is limited to eligible U.S. citizens within the United States seeking routine service, and it cannot be expedited. Its additional eligibility checks and live availability should be reviewed in the Department’s online renewal flow rather than assumed from mail-renewal eligibility.
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How do I renew by mail with DS-82?
Gather the qualifying passport, a compliant passport photo, the completed DS-82, any legal name-change evidence, and the correct Department of State payment. Then:
- Confirm eligibility. Check issue date, your age at issuance, 10-year validity, condition, and loss/theft history before completing the form. Make sure you can submit your most recent passport.
- Complete DS-82. Use the current form and answer every required field consistently with your supporting documents.
- Prepare the photo and evidence. Include the required photo and legal name-change document when applicable; follow the form’s current photo and document rules.
- Pay the application fee. An adult book renewal requires the application fee, but no acceptance-facility fee.
- Mail the package exactly as instructed. Use the mailing method and address shown in the current Department instructions, and retain tracking and copies.
- Track two returns. The old passport and the newly issued passport may arrive separately.
Do not treat a convenient post office drop-off as an acceptance review for DS-82. The DS-82 package is mailed under the Department’s instructions, and the acceptance fee belongs to the DS-11 in-person process. Use the current form and mailing directions for the appropriate address and packaging details.
Routine online renewal is another option for some U.S. citizens in the United States. It has additional eligibility requirements and cannot be expedited, so use the live Department of State passport renewal flow to see whether it is offered for your circumstances. If you need faster-than-routine service, online renewal is not the channel to choose.
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How do I apply in person with DS-11?
Use the Where to Apply locator to find an acceptance facility and follow its appointment and payment instructions. Bring the completed DS-11 (do not sign until instructed), evidence of citizenship and identity, a passport photo, and photocopies or other documents required by the current checklist.
- Choose a facility and appointment. Acceptance facilities set their own appointment availability and may have local instructions.
- Complete DS-11. Print it as directed and leave the signature blank until the acceptance agent tells you to sign.
- Bring originals and copies. The agent must examine citizenship and identity evidence and will submit the package.
- Pay two separate fees. The application fee goes to the Department of State; the acceptance fee goes to the facility. Confirm accepted payment types before the appointment.
- Keep the receipt and tracking information. Your citizenship evidence and prior documents are returned according to Department procedures, usually separately from the new passport.
An adult applying for the first time and an adult whose old passport was lost, stolen, damaged, issued more than 15 years ago, or issued before age 16 follows this same DS-11 route. The distinction between these applicants and an eligible renewer is therefore not just which form to print: it determines whether you need an in-person facility and pay its acceptance fee.
What does a passport cost in 2026?
The Department of State’s fee chart updated October 2026 lists the following amounts. Fees can change, so verify the current fee page immediately before payment.
| Application | Department of State application fee | Acceptance fee | Possible add-ons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult passport book, DS-11 | $130 | $35 | $60 expedite; optional $26.87 one-to-three-day return delivery to a U.S. address for a book |
| Adult passport book, DS-82 renewal | $130 | None | $60 expedite where an expedited route is available; optional $26.87 one-to-three-day return delivery for a book |
| Adult passport card | $30 | $35 for a first-time DS-11 applicant | The $26.87 delivery option does not apply to cards |
| Adult book and card | $160 | $35 for a first-time DS-11 applicant | Expedite and delivery options depend on the service requested |
| Child passport book | $100 | $35 | Child card: $15 application plus $35 acceptance; book and card: $115 plus $35 acceptance |
For a standard adult book, the basic total is $165 for a first-time or non-renewal DS-11 applicant: $130 to the Department of State and $35 to the facility. An eligible adult renewing a book by DS-82 pays $130, with no acceptance fee. A child book costs $135 in the listed fees: $100 application plus $35 acceptance. These totals do not include an optional expedite or return-delivery charge.
The two fees in a DS-11 application are separate payments to separate recipients. The Department of State application fee covers the passport application; the facility acceptance fee is a separate charge paid to the facility accepting the application. This answers a common question—why the appointment can involve two payments—and why the DS-82 mail renewal does not include an acceptance-facility fee.
The $60 expedite fee is additional to the application fee. The optional $26.87 one-to-three-day return delivery charge applies to a passport book sent to a U.S. address, not to a passport card. It is a return-delivery choice, not a substitute for expedited processing or a guarantee that the complete application timeline will fit a particular departure date. Check the Department’s current fee page and the October 2026 chart before paying.
If applying for a card or both a book and card, check the row for the document you want rather than assuming the book fee applies. The listed adult card application fee is $30; an adult book and card together are $160. For first-time DS-11 applications, the $35 acceptance fee is additional. Children cannot renew a previously issued child passport, so the listed child prices are for a new in-person application.
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How long will renewal or a new application take?
As of November 2026, routine processing is estimated at 4–6 weeks and expedited processing at 2–3 weeks. Expedited service costs an additional $60 when available. These are agency processing estimates, not a promise that the passport will be in your hands by the end of that period.
Allow mailing time in both directions. The Department says application travel to the agency can take up to two weeks and return delivery after processing can take up to two weeks. Its formula is: processing time + mailing times = total time to get a passport. A four-to-six-week routine estimate can therefore require additional calendar time for the application to reach the agency and the passport to get back to you. Check the Department’s current processing guidance before booking nonrefundable travel.
Processing estimates apply to the agency’s handling period, not the complete door-to-door period. This matters for both DS-82 and DS-11: mail renewal requires sending the application package, while DS-11 applicants still need the application to reach the agency and the finished passport to be delivered. Keep the method of submission and return delivery in mind when comparing an advertised processing window with your actual travel date.
Urgent plans do not make an ineligible passport eligible for DS-82. Select the correct application route first, then evaluate the service options and current appointment rules. Submitting the wrong form can create delays rather than saving time.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I do if I travel soon?
If you depart in less than three weeks, do not rely on routine mail renewal. The Department’s renewal guidance says to make an appointment, and the appointment must be within 14 calendar days of travel; agency availability and rules can change, so confirm them on the current urgent-travel instructions before taking action.
- Use the fastest eligible channel: online renewal is routine-only and cannot be expedited.
- Factor in mailing time, not just the agency’s processing estimate.
- Bring proof of imminent international travel if the appointment system requests it.
- Do not send an ineligible DS-82 simply because it appears faster; an incorrect form can cause delays or a rejection.
The less-than-three-week threshold is a reason to check current urgent-travel options, not a promise that an appointment will be available on demand. The appointment must fall within 14 calendar days of departure under the cited renewal guidance, and the latest rules and availability should be checked directly. The standard 2–3-week expedited estimate also describes processing, not the full mailing-to-delivery timeline.
If you are unsure which form applies and departure is close, verify the eligibility decision before sending anything. An urgent appointment does not remove the age, issue-date, passport-condition, or loss/theft requirements for DS-82. Use DS-11 if your passport fails those renewal tests, and follow the live urgent instructions for arranging service.
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Can I renew while outside the United States?
Renewal from abroad is handled differently from domestic mail or online renewal. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for the applicable form, appointment, payment, and emergency-travel instructions. Do not mail a domestic DS-82 package to a U.S. address unless the official instructions for your situation direct you to do so.
Do not assume that being eligible for domestic DS-82 renewal means the same submission method applies overseas. The Department directs applicants abroad to the nearest embassy or consulate because instructions differ by location. Ask that office how to apply and what to do if you have urgent travel rather than relying on domestic online eligibility or a domestic mailing address.
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Common mistakes that derail an application
- Using DS-82 for a child. Anyone under 16 must apply for a new passport in person.
- Ignoring the issue-date test. A passport issued more than 15 years ago is not a standard adult mail renewal.
- Forgetting age at issuance. A passport first issued before your 16th birthday does not become renewable through DS-82 later.
- Mailing a passport reported lost or stolen. Use DS-11 and follow loss/theft reporting directions instead.
- Assuming any damage is ordinary wear. The passport must not be damaged beyond normal wear; check the Department’s current instructions if you are unsure.
- Paying the wrong fee. DS-11 has an acceptance fee in addition to the application fee; DS-82 does not.
- Confusing the two DS-11 payments. The application fee and facility acceptance fee are paid to different recipients and are not one combined fee.
- Assuming processing time includes delivery. Build in the potential four weeks of combined outbound and return mailing time described by the Department.
- Trying online renewal for expedited service. The online route is routine-only.
- Using an old form or fee schedule. Forms, online eligibility, appointment rules, and fees change; verify the live Department pages before submission.
A quick decision checklist
Answer these questions in order:
- Are you under 16? If yes, apply in person for a new passport; children cannot renew.
- Are you applying for your first passport, or was the prior one issued before you were 16? Use DS-11 in person.
- Was the prior passport issued more than 15 years ago? Use DS-11 in person.
- Was it reported lost or stolen, or is it damaged beyond normal wear? Use DS-11 in person.
- Can you submit your most recent passport? If not, you do not meet the standard DS-82 mail-renewal requirement.
- If none of those apply, is the passport an available 10-year adult passport issued within 15 years? If yes, DS-82 mail renewal is generally available; check online eligibility if you prefer that route.
- Has your name changed? Include accepted legal proof with the renewal if the rest of the criteria are met.
- Are you leaving in under three weeks? Check urgent appointment availability rather than relying on routine processing.
Use the checklist as a routing tool, then follow the current form instructions for the detailed paperwork. A “yes” to the adult renewal tests points toward DS-82; a “no” on any core test points away from standard mail renewal and toward DS-11 in person. If you are applying abroad, contact the embassy or consulate instead of assuming the domestic route applies.
When in doubt, use the Department of State’s current passport pages and fee chart rather than a third-party checklist. The agency’s instructions control the form, documents, payment method, and submission address for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my old passport be returned after I renew?
The Department of State generally returns the passport you submit separately from the newly issued passport. Keep tracking details and allow extra delivery time for both items; do not assume they will arrive in the same envelope.
Can I pay the application fee and acceptance fee with one payment?
No. For a DS-11 application, the Department of State application fee and the acceptance-facility fee are separate charges paid to different recipients. Ask the facility which payment methods it accepts before the appointment.
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No. The Department’s online renewal service is for routine processing. If your departure is soon, review the current urgent-travel appointment options instead of submitting an online renewal you need expedited.
Where do I renew if I am temporarily living overseas?
Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Overseas renewals use instructions that differ from domestic DS-82 mail and online procedures, including local appointment and payment requirements.
Can I renew an expired passport?
Expiration alone does not necessarily prevent renewal. The passport must still meet the adult renewal requirements, including being issued within the last 15 years while you were at least 16, being a 10-year passport, being available to submit, and not having been reported lost or stolen or damaged beyond normal wear.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Use DS-82 only if your most recent passport meets every adult renewal test: it was issued within 15 years when you were at least 16, was a 10-year passport, is available and not reported lost or stolen, and is not damaged beyond normal wear. If not—or if the applicant is under 16—apply in person with DS-11. For a standard adult book, the listed basic fees are $130 for DS-82 or $165 total for DS-11, and processing estimates do not include mailing time. Check the current State Department fee and application instructions before submitting.
