Solutions For Renewing A Passport   by Ben Pate

in Travel / Travel Tips    (submitted 2011-05-13)

The easiest method to use in renewing passport will be to do the procedures via the mail. For this to happen, you must be a current holder of one and it has to be in decent enough condition to be clearly readable. Said document has to have been issued within the last 15 years and you need to be at least 16. Finally, you still have to have the same name or you will have to include documents showing it has been changed legally.

When the above stipulations cannot be met, you must make a personal appearance to renew after a stolen U S online passport. The mail-in method hinges around a document called Form DS-82. It is available online. You can even submit the thing online. There is also the option of downloading and printing it out. It will then be mailed in along with other necessary materials.

It is currently taking two to three weeks to process the request. Failure to provide information such as a social security number will significantly add to the time necessary for processing. If the Form DS-82 has not been submitted online, it should be placed into a padded mailer along with the rest of the required materials.

These will include your current passport. A photo of suitable size has to be stapled into the space provided in the application. A marriage certificate must accompany this if that has caused a name change. For faster processing you can add a $60 check or money order made out to the U. S. Department of State. The mailing envelope should be clearly labeled "Expedite." An overnight delivery service will also speed things up.

The government agency in charge of regulating this, namely the State Department, advises applicants to use a traceable delivery system regarding this sort of submission. This can be done through the postal system or independent delivery companies. It is also important that critical documents be placed into packing that is sturdy such as a Tyvek envelope.

This sort of process can only be used when the applicant has a United States address for the completed request to be mailed back to. They will not be sent to another country. Citizens of the United States who live in another country should apply at the embassy to do all this. If the residence is in Canada, the applicant may still submit their DS-82 form by mail.

In the event you do not meet all these requirements or if you need this to happen on a more immediate basis, you can set up an appointment with the Regional Passport Agency. This should only be done if you have to have this in less than two weeks for international travel. It should also be sought if you will have need of obtaining a foreign visa within the next four weeks.

About the Author

The process of renewing United States passport has been made easier by advances in online submissions. The most critical document to initiate this can be found and submitted online after a stolen U S online passport. The rest can be accomplished though the mail. There are ways to speed the process by paying a bit more for expediting fees and overnight delivery. If speed is more of an essence, an in-person appearance at an office for these will be the best method to use.