Renewing your passport in the United States is a relatively simple procedure: Just fill out a passport renewal application and send it in along with your current passport and the required fees. But what if your passport expires while you're overseas? This isn't a problem for most people but does happen to frequent travelers and to Americans living abroad. If it happens to you, here's how to get a new passport so that you don't get stranded.
First, locate the nearest US embassy or consulate. The State Department website has a list of US embassies and consulates that you can consult.
Next, determine whether or not you are eligible to renew your passport by mail. You can renew by mail as long as all of the following statements are true:
You know where your passport is, and it is in good condition
Your current passport was issued less than 15 years ago and when you were 16 or older
You can submit legal proof to support any name change that has occurred since you were last issued a passport
If even one of those statements is false, you must apply for your passport renewal in person at the US Embassy. You will probably need to make an appointment in advance for this service.
However, if you're eligible to apply by mail, you can generally mail your passport renewal application along with 2 passport photos, your current passport and a completed passport renewal application to the US embassy or consulate. Go to the applicable embassy website or contact them directly for instructions, as postal systems vary from country to country.
Also, if your last passport was issued as an emergency passport abroad, you'll need to submit proof of citizenship, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate (the kind with a raised seal) or a naturalization certificate as well. To see whether or not this will be necessary, look on the last page of your passport for the endorsement "22 CFR 51.41." If it's there, you'll need the extra proof of citizenship for your US passport renewal.
First, locate the nearest US embassy or consulate. The State Department website has a list of US embassies and consulates that you can consult.
Next, determine whether or not you are eligible to renew your passport by mail. You can renew by mail as long as all of the following statements are true:
You know where your passport is, and it is in good condition
Your current passport was issued less than 15 years ago and when you were 16 or older
You can submit legal proof to support any name change that has occurred since you were last issued a passport
If even one of those statements is false, you must apply for your passport renewal in person at the US Embassy. You will probably need to make an appointment in advance for this service.
However, if you're eligible to apply by mail, you can generally mail your passport renewal application along with 2 passport photos, your current passport and a completed passport renewal application to the US embassy or consulate. Go to the applicable embassy website or contact them directly for instructions, as postal systems vary from country to country.
Also, if your last passport was issued as an emergency passport abroad, you'll need to submit proof of citizenship, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate (the kind with a raised seal) or a naturalization certificate as well. To see whether or not this will be necessary, look on the last page of your passport for the endorsement "22 CFR 51.41." If it's there, you'll need the extra proof of citizenship for your US passport renewal.
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