Passport renewal in the US: how long does it take to renew and how much does it cost in 2023?
If you are traveling abroad soon, make sure your passport is up-to-date. Here’s information on how long the process takes and how much it costs.
The passport is proof of identification and US citizenship, which is necessary for international travel by air, sea or land. This is for people aged 16 and over, and the document is valid for 10 years, so once that time has elapsed it must be renewed.
Passport renewal in the US: Everything you need to know
According to the Office of Consular Affairs, the requirements to renew the passport include sending the DS-82 application, delivering the passport to be renewed, having a photograph, as well as paying the passport fee.
Application
The DS-82 application must be signed and mailed according to the instructions on page 2 of the application.
Deliver the passport to renew
It must have been issued when you were 16 years of age or older, and must not be more than 15 years old. The passport must have been valid for 10 years, cannot be damaged, and must have been issued in your current legal name.
Photograph
The photograph must be in color with a simple white background, and you should not be wearing glasses when it is taken. It must be 2x2 inches in size and taken within the last six months.
Here is the complete list of requirements.
Cost of passport renewal
- Passport book: $130
- Passport card: $30
- Passport book and passport card: $160
- If you opt for expedited service, $60 is added to the fee
How long does passport renewal take?
According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, processing times only include the time your application remains at one of the passport agencies or centers. Shipping times are not included in processing times. The total time to obtain your passport includes processing and shipping times.
According to the most recent update, these are the processing times:
- Routine Processing: 10-13 weeks
- Expedited Processing: 7-9 weeks
It can take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive in the mail at a passport agency or center and up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport in the mail. It is recommended that you take into account the total time it will take to process and send your passport when booking a trip.
For more information, visit the website of the Office of Consular Affairs.