Most people dread going to a passport office, which can often be frustrating and time-consuming. However, depending on what type of US passport services you need, you may actually be able to apply for them by mail. Before you waste an afternoon at the post office, use this guide to see if you can get away with a trip to your mailbox instead!
US Passport Services You Must Apply for In Person
First, let's take a look at the services that you cannot apply for by mail. If you need to do any of the following, you must apply in person at the nearest passport acceptance facility:
All of these services require the use of application form DS-11, which must be submitted in person to a passport acceptance agent. See the instructions on the form for further details.
US Passport Services Available by Mail
The Department of State does offer the following services by mail:
Processing times for any of the above US passport services are about six weeks unless you order expedited processing, in which case you should expect your passport in three weeks. For faster service, you have two options: Apply in person at the nearest regional Passport Agency office, or use a private passport expediting company if you'd rather apply by mail. An expediting company will charge an additional fee, but considering that there are only 25 regional Passport Agency offices in the US at this time, many people find that additional expense to be a bargain when compared to the costs of travel.
US Passport Services You Must Apply for In Person
First, let's take a look at the services that you cannot apply for by mail. If you need to do any of the following, you must apply in person at the nearest passport acceptance facility:
Apply for a new passport.
Replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport.
Replace a previous passport that was issued before you turned 16 or that was issued more than 15 years ago.
Get a passport name change if you don't have legal documents to support your name change request.
Get a passport for a child.
All of these services require the use of application form DS-11, which must be submitted in person to a passport acceptance agent. See the instructions on the form for further details.
US Passport Services Available by Mail
The Department of State does offer the following services by mail:
Passport Renewal: Assuming you are applying for a passport renewal and none of the conditions listed above apply to you, you can renew by mail using Form DS-82. Include your current passport and one new passport photo along with the required fees. If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you must also include your marriage certificate, divorce decree or a court order referencing the name change.
Passport Name Change: If you need to change the name on your existing passport, follow the procedure outlined above for passport renewals. If your passport was issued less than one year ago, lucky you- you qualify to have your name changed on your passport for free! Use Form DS-5504 and include legal documents referencing your name change, your current passport and one passport photo if your passport was issued more than 90 days ago.
Adding pages: You can get more pages added to the back of your passport by filling out Form DS-4085 and sending it along with your current passport and a check for $82, plus $60 if you need to expedite processing.
Processing times for any of the above US passport services are about six weeks unless you order expedited processing, in which case you should expect your passport in three weeks. For faster service, you have two options: Apply in person at the nearest regional Passport Agency office, or use a private passport expediting company if you'd rather apply by mail. An expediting company will charge an additional fee, but considering that there are only 25 regional Passport Agency offices in the US at this time, many people find that additional expense to be a bargain when compared to the costs of travel.