If it is time for your United States passport renewal, you have some different options available to you, depending on your situation. In some cases, you can renew by mail. In others, you will need to apply in person.

Pull out your existing passport first and take a look at it. It will need to be sent with your application package in order to renew by mail. If you do not actually have it, then you must apply for a new passport in person.

If you do have your passport and it has not been damaged, there are still reasons why you may be unable to mail in your application. You must have gotten your current passport within the last 15 years and when you were 16 or more years of age. The last requirement is that it was issue in the name you currently use or you must have the proper documentation of your legal name change to send.

When mailing in your application, you will also need to include your most recent passport, two passport photos, the current fee and any documentation to prove a name change such as a marriage certificate or court order. It is recommended that you mail your passport and application in a way that can be traced. It is also a good idea to package it securely so that it cannot be damaged while in transport.

Once renewed, your passport can be sent to an address in the United States or Canada only. Therefore, if you are in any other country, you must go to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate to get a new passport. A side note, if you happen to owe child support that you are behind on, you may not be able to get your passport.

The time to process your mailed application can vary. It is usually around four to six weeks. If you have an urgent need for a passport, you may need to visit a local passport agency. This is recommended if you are traveling internationally within two weeks or if you need the passport within four weeks for a foreign visa. People are seen at these agencies only by appointment.

If you have sent in your passport application already, you may be able to see its status online. For this service to be available, you may need to wait for a week after making your application. If it has not arrived to you within a week of when you need to travel, contact the National Passport Information Center.

There are times when an emergency necessitates traveling to a foreign country in 24 to 48 hours. If this should happen, you can get emergency service by making an appointment at a passport agency. You may be required to show proof of the emergency.

Many times, people wait until they actually have travel plans before checking if their U S passport is current. It is much smarter to pay attention to when your passport expires. If your pasport renewal date is approaching, get it taken care of as soon as possible. This way, you will avoid any problems if travel plans do crop up suddenly.