Q&A for How to Renew a U.S. Passport at the Post Office

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Can I take my own passport photo?

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Yes, as long as you’re able to meet the basic requirements for the photo. You’ll need to take a color picture that shows your entire face, and your face (from your chin to the top of your head) needs to fill between 50 and 69% of the total height of the picture. Take the picture against a white or off-white background, and keep both eyes open and your expression neutral. Don’t wear glasses unless you can’t take them off for medical reasons, and don’t wear a hat, headdress, or other accessories unless it’s part of your regular religious attire. Once you have your picture, you’ll need to print it out on photo paper at passport size (2 inches by 2 inches).

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Question

Is it possible to renew your passport during a government shutdown?

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Typically, yes, but it may take longer than usual. Passport offices usually continue to operate during shutdowns as long as they’re able to bring in enough revenue from passport application and renewal fees, but processing time will likely be impacted, so try to apply as far in advance as possible.

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How long does it take to get my renewed passport back?

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Normally, it will take 4-6 weeks. For an additional $60 (roughly), you can have it expedited to 2-3 weeks.

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Question

My passport is expiring and I want to renew it, but don't have any travel plans. Can I leave question #20 blank?

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You are not required to provide travel plans in order to apply for a passport, unless you plan to expedite the process. The best policy is to have a valid passport on hand even if you have no immediate travel plans. You can just write "NA" in the blanks.

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Will my old passport be returned to me?

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Yes, your old passport will be returned, but it will have holes in it to prevent you from using it in the future or from giving it to someone else to use.

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Can I travel to Canada if my passport will expire a month later?

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Yes, as long as you leave Canada before it expires.

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Can I travel on my passport if it will expire in two months?

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It depends on where you are going as each country has its own policy for how long the passport has to be valid for. If you plan on getting a visa, the passport has to be valid for more than the length of that visa, or you won't be given on. Check with the country you are planning to visit as well as the airline/s you are using.

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After my passport renewal can I pick it at the place where I renewed it?

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No, but you can request it to be dropped at your local post office. Otherwise, it will be delivered to your house by mail.

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Can I make an appointment at the Post Office to renew my passport?

Community Answer

If you answer "yes" to all the questions on the front of the renewal form, you may do the entire renewal yourself. Obtain a new picture from an approved passport photo operation, staple it to the completed form, and mail it with your old passport and a check listing your full name and date of birth on the check. It is advisable to send it by way of a tracked method, such as the Post Office's Priority or Express Mail services.

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What should I do if my passport has expired?

Community Answer

You need to get a new one. Go to your nearest post office, and create an appointment after you fill out a form, take a picture, have records, etc. You should get it after about 2 months.

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My wife and I renew passports the same time. Can we use the same mail envelope or two separate?

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You can use same mail envelope if you wish. Have wife's and husband's pictures, applications, payment etc in two separate envelopes inside the outer mail envelope you put postage on. Your passport numbers will be only one number apart if you do this.

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How early can I renew my passport?

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Your passport can be renewed at any time, though the Department of State website suggests renewing it within nine months of the passport's expiration date.

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Question

My passport expires in 2022, but it's almost full and I plan on traveling a lot more until then. What should I do?

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American passports no longer allow for the adding of extra pages, so you will need to get an entirely new passport, following the same procedure you did to get your current one.

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Do I need a passport to enter Canada and return to the US?

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Most state driver's licenses will allow you into Canada and back, but having a passport is recommended to expedite entry into either country.

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What if I have no travel plans?

Community Answer

It is always a good idea to have a passport, even if you don't have any immediate travel plans to other countries. It is an acceptable form of identification for a variety of government agencies and if you make last minute plans to another country, you don't have to wait for the passport to be mailed to you.

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Can I, having an enhanced Michigan driver's license, enter and exit Mexico by land?

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Yes, you can.

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Question

Can I make an appointment on the computer?

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There is usually a phone number on the website that they would like you to call to make an appointment. Most post offices will not offer online appointment scheduling.

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Do I have to submit my current, valid passport with my application? I need it for an upcoming work trip.

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Yes. You need to send in the current passport. Both will be mailed back. You’ll be without a passport in the process.

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Can I travel to Mexico without a passport?

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In order to travel to any country, a passport is required. So no, you cannot travel to Mexico without a passport.

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Can I send my old passport and renewal forms myself?

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Yes, provided you are an adult, you can send it in with all completed forms, your old passport and the fees/cost to renew. If you're a child, your parents will need to do this on your behalf.

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I am a citizen of the US. Will I need a passport to fly within the US?

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If you are travelling domestically, you do not need a passport.

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