DS-82: How to Renew Your Passport by Mail (2026 Guide)

TL;DR

Form DS-82 lets eligible adults renew a U.S. passport by mail — no appointment needed. You qualify if you have a 10-year adult passport issued at age 16 or older, it was issued within the last 15 years, it’s undamaged, and it’s in your possession. The fee is $130 for the book (plus $60 if expediting).

At a glance

• Form: DS-82 (download at travel.state.gov)
• Fee: $130 book renewal / $30 card renewal / +$60 to expedite
• Processing time: 4–6 weeks routine, 2–3 weeks expedited (+ mail time each way)
• What to mail: DS-82, current passport, photo, payment, name-change docs if applicable
• Track status: passportstatus.state.gov

Why DS-82 exists

The DS-82 mail-in renewal process was designed for adults who have already gone through the full in-person identity verification once. The State Department reasons that if you can produce your existing passport — which required an in-person identity check to obtain — you’ve already been verified. So they allow you to renew without appearing in person again.

That’s why the eligibility rules are strict about possession: you must send in your actual passport. It’s the proof that you’re the legitimate holder of the document being renewed.

Who qualifies to use DS-82

You can renew by mail with DS-82 if all of the following are true:

1. You have a 10-year adult passport book. The 5-year books issued to applicants under 16 are not eligible for DS-82 renewal — those holders must apply in person with DS-11.
2. Your passport was issued when you were 16 or older. If it was issued younger, it was a 5-year book.
3. It was issued within the last 15 years. Passports more than 15 years old require DS-11 regardless of condition.
4. It is undamaged. Water damage, torn pages, significant ink bleed, or tampering means you need DS-11 instead.
5. You have it in your possession. If your passport was lost or stolen, file DS-64 first, then apply with DS-11.
6. You can document your current legal name, or your name hasn’t changed. If your name changed, the documentation must clearly establish the change.

If you fail any of these criteria, you need form DS-11 and an in-person visit to a passport acceptance facility. See the DS-11 form guide for that path.

Note on passport cards: If you’re renewing a passport card (not a book), the same DS-82 eligibility rules apply, and the fee is $30 instead of $130.

Step-by-step: how to fill out DS-82

Download the right version

Always get the current form directly from travel.state.gov. Do not use a form printed from a third-party site — the State Department updates forms periodically, and outdated versions are rejected.

Fill out the form online using Adobe Acrobat or a compatible PDF viewer, then print. Do not handwrite on a pre-printed form — typed entries are required.

Section by section

Personal information: Your full legal name (as it will appear on the new passport), date of birth, place of birth, Social Security number, and gender marker. Double-check the spelling — this is what goes on the passport.

Contact information: Your current mailing address for the return passport delivery. Include an apartment number if applicable — a missing unit number causes delivery failures.

Travel plans: If you have planned travel, enter the date. This doesn’t commit you to anything but can help if you need to follow up about timing.

Lost/stolen section: If your most recent passport was lost or stolen — stop. You cannot use DS-82. File DS-64 first.

Signature: Sign in black ink only. Sign after printing the form, not before. The signature must be in the box provided. Faded, smudged, or out-of-box signatures can result in rejection.

What to include in the mailing package

Assemble these items in order before sealing the envelope:

Item	Notes
Completed, signed DS-82	No staples; paperclip pages
Current passport (original)	The one being renewed — original, not a copy
One passport photo	2x2 inches, taken within 6 months — see photo requirements
Fee payment	Check or money order to “U.S. Department of State”
Expedite fee (if applicable)	Separate check or money order for $60
Name-change documentation	Marriage cert or court order if your name changed

Paperclip the photo to the form — don’t staple, punch holes, or tape it down. The State Department processes photos separately from the form in many facilities.

Include your current passport itself — not a photocopy. The original is required. You will get it back (cancelled) along with your new passport.

Where to mail the DS-82

The mailing address depends on whether you are requesting routine or expedited service.

For routine renewal, address your package to:

National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90107
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0107

For expedited renewal, write “EXPEDITE” prominently on the outside of the envelope and address it to:

National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

Or send to the Charleston facility (check travel.state.gov for current routing guidance as addresses occasionally change):

National Passport Processing Center
44132 Mercure Cir
PO Box 1070
Sterling, VA 20166-1070

Shipping recommendations:

• Routine: USPS Priority Mail (tracked, 2–3 business days)
• Expedited: USPS Priority Mail Express or FedEx overnight (next-day tracked delivery)

For return delivery: request Priority Mail Express return at time of application to get your passport back faster (adds ~$19.53). Without this, the State Department mails passports back by standard first-class mail.

Tracking your DS-82 renewal

Once the State Department receives your application, use the Online Passport Status System at passportstatus.state.gov. You’ll need:

• Your last name
• Date of birth
• Last four digits of your Social Security number

Status updates typically appear 2–3 weeks after receipt. Statuses include “In Process,” “Approved,” and “Sent.” When your passport shows “Sent,” the return delivery has been initiated — usually standard mail unless you paid for overnight return.

If you don’t see any status update after 3 weeks and you have proof of delivery for your package, contact the National Passport Information Center.

Common pitfalls

• Not signing the form after printing. Pre-signing before printing is a common error that causes rejection.
• Using a photocopy of the old passport. The original must be included.
• Wrong payee on the check. Make it out to “U.S. Department of State” — no abbreviations, no “State Dept.”
• Sending a money order without your name and SSN written on the memo line. If the money order gets separated from your application, it needs to be traceable.
• Forgetting name-change documentation. If your legal name is different from what’s on your current passport — even by one character — include the documentation. Omitting it stalls the application.
• Using an old form version. Download fresh from travel.state.gov before every application.

What to do next

If you meet the DS-82 eligibility criteria, renewing by mail is the simplest path. Download the form, check your photo against the 2x2 specification, prepare a check for the right amount, and mail the package with tracking.

If you want help routing the application to the right processing track based on your travel date — and a second pair of eyes on your documents before they go out — start your renewal through egovrush. We review every document for compliance before submission.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies to use DS-82?

Adults with a 10-year passport book issued at age 16 or older, issued within the last 15 years, undamaged, and in their possession.

What is the DS-82 renewal fee in 2026?

$130 for a book renewal; $30 for a card renewal; add $60 for expedited processing. Verify current fees at travel.state.gov.

Do I have to send my old passport?

Yes. The original must be included — not a copy. It will be cancelled and returned with your new passport.

How long does DS-82 renewal take?

4–6 weeks routine, 2–3 weeks expedited, from State Dept receipt. Add 1–2 weeks mail time each way.

Can I renew by mail if my name changed?

Yes, as long as you include marriage certificate, court order, or other official name-change documentation.

What if my passport is lost or damaged?

You cannot use DS-82. File form DS-64 to report the loss, then apply in person with DS-11.

---

Sources: DS-82 Form — travel.state.gov, Passport Fees — travel.state.gov, Online Passport Status System. Information verified April 2026.