Looking for more information on your U.S. ID renewal and the application form needed for the procedure? Interested in answering the ‘How often do you need to renew a passport?’ question? Today’s your lucky day. In this post, we’ll let you in on how to renew a U.S. passport and how to fill out the DS-82 Application Form. Stay tuned.
Table of Contents
How to Renew a U.S. Passport?
You typically go through the ID renewal procedure once every ten years. However, if you travel a lot, you might need to do it more frequently. The need for early renewal may be caused by a number of factors, such as the lack of space from stamps and visas in your old ID or having a second passport. Don’t forget to examine your travel documents prior to setting off on a big trip.
Just figured out you need a new ID? Get the procedure going by filling out and mailing the DS-82 form for passport renewal. Completing this form requires your laser-like focus, but overall, it’s not too challenging. The form consists of six pages, four of which contain detailed requirements for you to follow. The rest two pages are for you to fill out.
Don’t forget that aside from the form itself, you also need to mail a passport-sized recently-taken photo and a certain fee the procedure requires. Before filling out the form, make sure you qualify for the renewal and:
- have the current ID on hand;
- were 16 years old minimum when you first got your U.S. ID;
- were given your current U.S. ID less than 15 years ago;
- the ID you want to renew is in acceptable condition.
How to Fill Out DS-82 Passport Form?
Want to know how to fill out a Passport Renewal Form? Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to get the renewal procedure going:
- Confirm your eligibility.
- Fill out the DS-82 form. You can do it online or print it out and opt for manual completion.
- Have a new ID picture taken.
- Pinpoint the fee you need to pay for processing your application.
- Mail the form, that recent ID picture, the fee, as well as your expired passport to the address specified in the form.
- In case your name has changed, make sure you include all the corresponding files in relation to this matter.
If you want the renewal process to be as smooth and swift as possible, make sure you avoid any errors or inconsistencies when filling out the DS-82 form. In case you’re in a hurry or worried that you might make mistakes while completing the form, you can always turn for professional help and get your passport renewal expedited.
There are companies that can have your ID expedited in as little as 24 hours. Meanwhile, the routine procedure takes about two months, fancy that! Naturally, the super speedy service requires a much heftier financial investment. At the end of the day, the whole thing depends on how much waiting time you can handle at a particular moment.
How to Send a DS-82 Application Form?
After completing your DS-82, you need to mail it directly to the State Department for processing, along with the supporting documents. Typically, the procedure takes up to two months, but it depends on the circumstances. Need to speed up the whole process? Invest in applying for expedited passport service through a trusted expeditor. In the long run, you’ll realize that the game is worth the candle.
