Similarly to summer holidays, nothing lasts forever, this also applies to a passport. Although 10 years seems like a long time – everything has its expiry date. What’s not an option when renewing a passport is renewing it in a passport acceptance facility, including the post office. The post office only accepts first-time passport applications.
Renewing a passport by mail
As established above, passport renewal using the post office is not an option. And due to the massive number of US travellers, although passport procedure is time-consuming and expensive, people don’t have much choice as without a passport, travel to the majority of countries is not possible. Hence, for passport renewal, the US government came up with an improved option that speeds up the whole process – renewal by mail.
*Check if you’re eligible for an even more convenient way to renew your US passport—online renewals.
Renewal process by mail is a procedure that requires you to post a form (DS-82), a new passport photo and an old passport along with a fee to the State Department. This renewal procedure usually lasts up to a month. Renewal by mail is, however, only possible if all these statements are valid:
- A person is in possession of the original (expired) passport,
- An expired passport is not damaged,
- It was issued when a person wasn’t a minor (16 years +),
- It is in your current name – no legal name change was made.
Using a renewal form (DS-82) rather than applying for a new passport (DS-11), a person is not required to enclose as many documents as they would for a DS-11. Renewal only demands to enclose an old passport, a new passport photo, and a passport fee.
In a situation where a person changed their name, a court order proving a name change would be also needed. A DS-82 will have to be sent to the State Department, and a renewed passport would be sent within a month.
Find out more about passports from these articles:
- Mexican Passport Renewal in the US: Cost, Required Documentation, and More
- When Is the Earliest I Can Renew My Passport[+Essential Info]
- How to Renew an Italian Passport in the USA [Process, Forms & More]
- How to Renew an Italian Passport in NYC [Fees, Forms, Appointment & More]
- How to Renew a Chinese Passport in the USA [Fees, Requirements & More]
- US Passport Checklist for Renewals [Fees, Requirements & More]
- How to Renew a Hong Kong Passport in the USA [HK Passport Renewal Guide]
What to do when a passport lost, damaged, or stolen
For individuals that are not able to renew their passport by mail, due to unpredictable causes, then the passport would have to be reapplied for like it was applied for the first time.
In a situation where a passport was lost or stolen, passport service needs to be informed immediately, in case someone tries to use your passport. When passport service is informed they invalidate the passport for travel. It is also recommended to let the police know, so no identity fraud is committed.
Passports that were lost/stolen more than once, will result in shorter validity of the next passport. When losing more than two passports, then passport services issue passports for a shorter period of time (1-10 years).
If a passport was damaged, then a different procedure is applicable. Damaged passports would have to be given in when making an application for replacement. Replacement can be completed both online and by paper application form. Applicants would need to make sure their passport is marked as ‘damaged’ in the online application, whilst the paper application would require a section 6 to be filled in explaining why and how the passport got damaged.
Passport that was lost/stolen/damaged during holidays overseas, would have to be reported to the nearest Embassy or Consulate. Return home documentation would be provided, but a new passport would have to be applied for when returned home.
When applying for a new passport, applicants would need to fill in a DS-11 form, and provide all supporting documents – identity, citizenship, new passport photos, and pay a fee. A mail option, in this case, is not applicable. A person would have to make an appointment with the passport acceptance facility and let an agent review the application along with supporting documents. Then you would have to sign the application with an administrator under oath and pay a fee.
How to take a correct passport photo?
The most common mistake when applying for a passport, that will result in instant rejection, is an incorrect passport photo. Therefore, it is essential to familiarize yourself with passport photo guidelines and to use professional services, such as our reliable US passport photo maker.
Here are things that an applicant needs to know, and needs to avoid for a photo to be accepted. First of all photo specification is:
- Photo’s size must be 2×2 inches for US passport (51×51 mm),
- Background color must be clear white,
- Photo must be in color,
- Image does not have any shadows and is focused,
- Photo must be printed on quality paper when applying in the traditional way.
When taking photo applicants must face forward, with their eyes open, and mouth closed. Smiling is not permitted, and photos won’t be accepted if a person is smiling or frowning.
Head-wear (including; scarves, caps, hats, headbands) must be removed for the duration of the picture unless the person has a medical condition or religious belief.
Glasses may be kept on, if they are part of a person’s identity. In terms of clothing, people have to wear casual clothes for passport photos – no uniforms or white clothing is permitted.
When taking a passport photo, people often think that it is the least important element of a passport application. This is not the case. Wrong Photo can not only delay the application but also reject it. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of common mistakes. These common mistakes include:
- Applicants in not facing forward,
- A person is smiling,
- Shadows are present on the image,
- Person is wearing a cap or a hat,
- poor focus – picture is blurry,
- Photo has colorful background,
- Person is using social media filters for their photo,
- Incorrect sizing,
- Person holds something in the image,
- Hair obstructs the image,
- Piercings obstruct the image,
- Face is not visible from ear to ear,
- Face is not visible from chin to forehead.
If you want to learn more about requirements and guidelines for US passport photos, or have a professional software take care of taking your new passport picture, have a look at Passport Photo Online – one of the easiest and fastest tools to get a legitimate passport photo.
Sources
Karolina’s passion for law, technology and photography led her to PhotoAiD S.A., where for the past 3 years she has been an expert in the implementation of passport photo compliance procedures in +80 countries around the world.
