If it is time for your American 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 have your passport and it is not damaged, you still may not be able to make your application by mail. It also needs to have been issued when you were 16 years of age or older, as well as within the last fifteen years. Finally, it must have been issued in the name you are using now or, if not, you must have the documentation to send proving your legal name change.

In addition to the application and your current passport, you will need to send the fee, 2 passport photos and documentation of your name change, if any, such as a certificate of marriage or a court order. Everything should be packaged securely to avoid damages. The package should also be sent in such a way that it is able to be traced.

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.

Processing time for applications vary but are generally between four and six weeks. If your need for a passport is urgent, you might have to go to a passport agency. If you have international travel planned in the next two weeks or need a passport to secure a foreign visa in the next four weeks, this is recommended. You will only be seen by appointment at these agencies.

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 US passport is current. It is much smarter to pay attention to when your passport expires. If your U S passport 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.