Passport Renewal: Avoid Customs Complications And Get It Done ASAP

When your USA passport renewal is due, there are a few ways you can take care of it. There are some cases in which you can renew it by mail. There are others in which you will have to make the application in person.

First of all, get your current passport out of storage. It must be sent along with your application for renewal by mail. Therefore, if your passport not available, you must make your application for a new one 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.

When sending in your application, you will have to include your current passport, the applicable fee, two passport-size photos and the documentation showing your name change, if any, such as a court order or marriage certificate. It is best to send the application in a manner that can be traced. You should also package it securely so that no damages will occur during 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.

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 already applied for your passport, you can check to see the status online. It can take up to a week from the time of your application for this service to be available. If you have not received your passport within a week of your date of travel, contact the National Passport Information Center.

There are occasions when there is an emergency requiring international travel in as little as one or two days. If you find yourself in this situation, you can get an appointment at a passport agency for immediate service. You may be asked for proof of the emergency.

People often wait until they make their international travel plans before ensuring that their passports are still good. It is smarter to keep track of the expiration date of your pass port. Then, when it is approaching, be sure to get the US passport renewal taken care of promptly. This will help you to avoid problems with any last minute travel plans.