renewing a US passport, the official steps (check the date)

what to actually do, not the 45 blog posts about it. rules change, so check the date on this before you rely on it for a trip.

Check you're actually eligible to renew

not your first passport, not older than 15 years, not damaged, no name change without paperwork - otherwise it's Form DS-11 in person

Decide: online or by mail

Online: create an account through the State Department's renewal system

this part trips people up, it's a MyTravelGov account, not the passport application itself

Online: fill out the application and upload your photo

By mail: get Form DS-82

fill it out online and print it, download the PDF, or pick one up at an acceptance facility

By mail: get a passport photo taken and include it

Pay the fee either way

the amount changes most years, check the date on whatever number you're reading

By mail only: send in the application, photo, fee, and your current passport

yes, your actual passport - it gets mailed back separately after the new one arrives

Track your status online once it's submitted

Check your destination's 6-month validity rule before you book anything

some countries and airlines deny boarding under that window, and it's never the airline that tells you first

Or start a list of your own. Free, it takes a minute.

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