The Outdoors Blog
travel

How To Renew Your US Passport

January 30, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

Are you planning a trip to another country? It will be important to check all your traveling documents before you book airfare and hit the road. It may be time for you to renew your passport. It typically takes up to 4 to 6 weeks to receive a US passport. Expedite charges are high and can sometimes take 2 to 3 weeks. This makes starting the process way ahead of your trip ideal. There are a couple different ways that you can go about renewing it. The process you take will be based on your current situation.

The easiest way to get your passport renewed is to do it by mail. If you want to do it by mail make sure you meet the mail-in requirements. Those requirements include an undamaged current passport that can be sent in with your application, a current passport that was issued less than 15 years ago, and was also issued to you when you were over the age of 16. It is also important that you are renewing with your current name. If you have been married, and are looking to get your name change on your passport, you must be able to include the legal documentation that states your new name.

If any of these issues do not apply to you, you must get your renewal in person. You don’t have to go to a government office. There are a number of US passports renewal service companies in every city. These places will even offer you a quick turn around. Once there, you will need to fill out the appropriate forms, submit evidence of your citizenship, pay the fee, and provide one passport photo. If you are the parent of a minor, you may want to find out what special requirements are needed for their renewal.

If you are able to renew your passport by mail, it will be critical you use a traceable delivery method. You will be mailing extremely personal information, including your current passport, which makes it important that you know it was delivered safe. There are a few different options that will allow you to do this. USPS priority mail or express mail are your best choices. You will receive delivery confirmations and you can ask for signature confirmations. The cost may be a little bit higher but well worth being safe.

If you are looking for Russian visas for US citizens, or visas for any other country, contact your local travel agent. They will be able to help you apply or renew for the appropriate visa based on the country you are traveling too.

Find out more about Travel Blogs.

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!