When your U.S. passport expires, you have five years from the date of expiration to renew it, using Form DS-82, U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals. The best time to renew your U.S. passport is six months before its expiration. However, if it is expired for more than five years now, you will follow the same procedure as a first-time passport applicant.
Replace a U.S. passport that expired more than five years ago in five steps.
Fill-out U.S. Passport Forms here.
Table of Contents
Step 1 of 5 — Fill out Form DS-11
Just like first-time U.S. passport applicants, you need to fill out Form DS-11, U.S. Passport Application, to replace your passport.
You may get a physical copy of Form DS-11 from a U.S. post office or download it from the official Department of State website.
There are form filler applications online where you can electronically fill out Form DS-11. Take note that if you fill it out electronically, you will need to print it and hand it in to an agent at a passport acceptance facility at the time of your interview.
How to fill out Form DS-11?
Provide all the information accurately.
First page
Determine whether you are applying for the U.S. passport card, U.S. passport book, or both, of your child. Select the applicable box. Then, answer the nine fields:
- Name — Enter the full legal name of your child.
- Date of Birth — Enter the date of birth of your child in the following format: mm/dd/yyyy.
- Sex — Select the gender of your child. Mark “M” for male and “F” for female.
- Place of Birth — Enter the place of birth of your child.
- Social Security Number — Enter the Social Security Number (SSN) of your child if there is any.
- Email — Enter the email address of your child if there is any.
- Primary Contact Phone Number — Enter a phone number. This could be yours.
- Mailing Address — Enter your full mailing address.
- List of all other names you have used legally — Enter the other names your child has legally used if there are any.
Second page
Answer the rest of the fields:
- Name of Applicant — Enter the full legal name of your child in the following format: Last, First, and Middle.
- Date of birth — Enter the date of birth of your child in the following format: mm/dd/yyyy.
- Parental Information — Provide your and your spouse’s required information.
- Have you ever been married? — Mark “No.”
- Additional Contact Phone Number — Enter an additional contact number if there is any.
- Occupation — This field is not applicable.
- Employer or School — Enter the name of your child’s school.
- Height — Enter the height of your child.
- Hair Color — Enter the hair color of your child.
- Eye Color — Enter the eye color of your child.
- Travel Plans — Provide any travel plans that involve your child. Enter the required information.
- Permanent Address — Enter your full permanent address.
- Emergency Contact — Enter the person to contact in case of an emergency.
- Have you ever applied for or been issued a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card? — Answer the questions regarding past U.S. passport applications. If your child is a first-time applicant, answer “No” to all the questions.
Do not sign Form DS-11 until instructed by the acceptance agent.
Access U.S. Passport Forms here.
Step 2 of 5 — Gather requirements
You need to submit all the requirements again.
Documents proving U.S. citizenship
Submit one of the following as proof of your U.S. citizenship:
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport — this may be expired
- Birth certificate, meeting the following requirements:
- Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
- Lists full name and date and place of birth
- Shows the date filed with the registrar’s office — must be within one year of birth
- Has the registrar’s signature
- Has the seal of the issuing authority
- U.S. hospital birth record
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth
Identification documents
Submit one of the following as proof of your identification:
- State-issued driver’s license
- Government employee ID
- Current and valid foreign passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Enhanced Tribal Card
- Trusted Traveler ID (Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS)
Photograph
You can have your photo taken at a passport acceptance facility that offers photo-taking services, but you can have it taken at a photography studio ahead of time to avoid processing delays. There are photograph requirements you need to follow:
- Colored, high-resolution photo
- Use a plain white or off-white background
- Photo size must be 2×2” or 51×51 cm
- Wear regular clothes
- Do not wear any headdress or eyeglasses, unless for religious reasons
Step 3 of 5 — Prepare fees
The following fees apply when you apply for a U.S. passport:
For adult applicants (Age 16 and older):
| Product | Application Fee | Execution (Acceptance) Fee |
| Passport Book | $110.00 | $35.00 |
| Passport Card | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Passport Book and Card | $140.00 | $35.00 |
The application fee and the execution fee are paid separately. You can pay the fees in cash, checks, major credit cards, and money orders. Make checks and money orders payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”
Step 4 of 5 — Submit your application
Together with the other requirements, you need to bring Form DS-11 to the passport acceptance facility near you to apply in person. The Department of State requires all first-time U.S. passport applicants to apply in person.
Passport acceptance facilities welcome clients on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid problems with your appointment, you may call the facility you wish to go to and set an appointment before your visit.
Step 5 of 5 — Wait for your passport
In general, you will receive your passport within four to six weeks.
You also have the option to expedite your application at an additional cost. An expedited passport may take two to three weeks to receive.