U.S. Passport Renewal By Mail. DS-82 Form Filling Out Guideline

There are several official forms related to U.S. passport services, and one of the most commonly used is Form DS-82—the Application for Passport Renewal by Mail. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for filling out Form DS-82, along with helpful information about eligibility, required documents, photo specifications, and submission methods.

Table of contents

• What is The Form DS-82?
• What is the Difference Between DS-11 and DS-82 Passport Forms?
• Where Can You Get the DS-82 Passport Renewal Form?
• How to Fill Out the DS-82 Passport Renewal Form: Step-by-Step Instructions & Checklist
• Can Form DS-82 Be Handwritten?
• How to print the DS-82 form?
• Documents Required to Submit with Form DS-82 for Passport Renewal
• U.S. Passport Photo Parameters
• US Passport Photo Online Editor
• Is It Possible to Submit Form DS-82 Online?
• US passport renewal fees
• FAQs
• Related Links

What is The Form DS-82?

Form DS-82, officially known as the "U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals," is used to renew a U.S. passport by mail. You can complete it with the Department of State's Form Filler or by hand, but you must print, sign and mail the application. Completing the Form Filler does not submit your renewal. Online passport renewal is a separate service with its own eligibility requirements.

To be eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You currently possess your most recent U.S. passport and can submit it with the application;
• Your passport is undamaged, aside from normal wear and tear;
• Your passport has never been reported lost or stolen;
• Your passport was issued when you were age 16 or older;
• Your passport was issued within the past 15 years;
• Your passport was issued in your current name, or you can provide legal documentation of a name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order).

If you do not meet all of these criteria, you must apply in person using Form DS-11 instead.

What is the Difference Between DS-11 and DS-82 Passport Forms?

The key difference lies in the application method and eligibility requirements. The DS-11 form must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility, and it is used in the following situations:

• You are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time;
• You are under the age of 16;
• Your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago;
• Your previous passport was issued when you were under 16;
• Your previous passport is lost, stolen, or significantly damaged;
• You are changing key personal information (such as name or gender) and do not have supporting documentation.

On the other hand, Form DS-82 is used for eligible adult passport renewals by mail. To use the DS-82, your most recent passport must be in your possession, undamaged, issued when you were 16 or older, and issued within the last 15 years. It must not have been reported lost or stolen. Do not confuse eligibility for DS-82 with eligibility for the separate online renewal service.

Where Can You Get the DS-82 Passport Renewal Form?

You can download Form DS-82 directly from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Access the official DS-82 PDF or use the department's Form Filler to prepare the application before printing it. Neither downloading the PDF nor completing the Form Filler submits your application. Follow the instructions and mail the signed application with all required documents.

If you qualify for the separate online renewal service, you do not submit Form DS-82. You enter your information directly in the official online application. Check the online eligibility requirements below rather than relying on the mail-renewal checklist.

Check out the complete online U.S. passport renewal guide for step-by-step instructions, eligibility requirements, and photo tips.

How to Fill Out the DS-82 Passport Renewal Form: Step-by-Step Instructions & Checklist

The current DS-82 PDF contains four instruction pages followed by two application pages. Read the instructions, complete both application pages, and check your entries before mailing them to avoid delays or rejection. Follow this checklist:

• Use accurate and legible information: Enter all personal information exactly as it appears on your current passport or legal documents. Ensure spelling, dates, and document numbers are accurate.
• Use a black ink pen if filling by hand: Handwritten forms must be completed in black ink only. Do not use blue or colored pens, and write in capital letters to ensure readability.
• Provide your U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), if issued: Do not substitute a foreign identifier, such as a Canadian Social Insurance Number. This does not mean all other information must be U.S.-based; answer address, birthplace and other questions accurately.
• If you have never been issued a Social Security Number: Enter zeros in the SSN field and submit a signed and dated statement that reads:
  "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration."
• Attach a compliant passport photo: Your photo must meet the official U.S. passport photo requirements—2x2 inches, white background, neutral expression, no digital alterations. You can get a compliant photo online through services like Visafoto.
• Submit all required documents: Include your most recent passport, completed DS-82 form, the required renewal fee (check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State”), and any legal documents such as name change evidence, if applicable.
• Sign, date and submit both application pages: Sign and date Application Page 1, then complete and include Application Page 2. If you make an error, complete a fresh form rather than crossing out an entry or using correction fluid. On a Form Filler-generated application, only the original signature and date should be handwritten.

Can Form DS-82 Be Handwritten?

Yes, Form DS-82 can be filled out by hand. If you choose to complete it manually, make sure to use a black ink pen and write clearly in uppercase block letters to ensure legibility. Avoid using cursive or colored pens, as this may lead to processing delays or rejection.

However, for best results and to minimize errors, it's recommended to use the official online Form Filler tool at pptform.state.gov, provided by the U.S. Department of State. This tool automatically formats your entries and helps reduce common mistakes. Print the completed form, then add your original signature and date. If you find an error, prepare a fresh form instead of handwriting a correction on the generated application.

How to Print the DS-82 Form?

Form DS-82 must be printed on standard white 8.5" x 11" (U.S. letter-size) paper—not A4. Each page should be printed on a separate sheet; double-sided printing is not accepted and may result in your application being rejected.

You can print the form in either black and white or color—both are acceptable. Make sure the text is clear and fully legible, with no smudging or fading. Avoid resizing or scaling the document when printing, as the form must maintain its original dimensions.

To ensure accuracy, use the official Form DS-82 PDF provided by the U.S. Department of State. Submit both application pages, not the four instruction pages.

Documents Required to Submit with Form DS-82 for Passport Renewal

When renewing your U.S. passport using Form DS-82, you need to submit the following items:

• Both completed application pages of Form DS-82, with your original signature and date on Application Page 1.
• Your most recent U.S. passport—the one you are renewing. It must be undamaged and meet the eligibility criteria for renewal.
• One recent, color passport photo that meets official U.S. passport photo requirements (2x2 inches, white background, taken within the last six months).

In addition, don't forget to include the appropriate fee payment (check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State") and, if applicable, a certified copy of your legal name-change document, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

U.S. Passport Photo Parameters

Here are the official requirements your passport photo must meet when submitted with Form DS-82:

• The photo must be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance.
• The background must be plain white or off-white, with no patterns, textures, or shadows.
• Submit one printed color photo measuring 2x2 inches (51 x 51 mm), on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Digital upload specifications belong to the separate online renewal service, not a mailed DS-82 application.
• Your face should occupy approximately 50–70% of the total photo height. The head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown.

Ensure you maintain a neutral expression, with both eyes open. Glasses are not permitted unless medically necessary, in which case a signed statement from a doctor is required.

Attach the photo in the marked area of the application using four staples vertically near its outer corners. Do not bend the photo. For digital upload instructions for the separate online route, see our online U.S. passport renewal guide.

Here is an example:

For detailed requirements, including size, background, file format, and examples, check out our comprehensive U.S. Passport Photo Guide

.

U.S. Passport Photo Online Editor

U.S. passport photos must meet strict government specifications to be accepted. To avoid rejections and delays, it’s best to use a reliable online passport photo editor that guarantees full compliance with official requirements—including size, background, head position, and face visibility.

Visafoto has been processing U.S. passport and visa photos since 2013. It's fast, accurate, and user-friendly. Simply upload a portrait or selfie taken in good lighting, while following the recommended passport photo dress code. Make sure to look directly at the camera and maintain a neutral expression. Visafoto will automatically adjust the background, crop the image to the correct size, and align your face according to U.S. passport standards—ensuring your photo is ready for acceptance by any U.S. embassy, consulate, or application portal.

Use a selfie taken under daylight, like this one:

You will get two files from Visafoto: a digital photo for electronic applications and a template ready for printing at the nearest pharmacy. Check this instructions to print a passport photo at Walgreens or CVS.

With Visafoto, you cut the cost of passport photos almost in half. While most drugstore and post office photo services charge $15 or more for two printed photos, Visafoto's fee is only $9 US dollars. You will get printable file with 4 separate photos that you can print at the nearest pharmacy store for about 50 cents.

Is It Possible to Submit Form DS-82 Online?

No. Form DS-82 itself is not submitted online. Eligible U.S. citizens can instead use the Department of State's separate online passport renewal service. Begin with the official online renewal page, which links to the application at opr.travel.state.gov.

To renew your passport online, follow these steps:

• Check online renewal eligibility. The online service has different requirements from DS-82 renewal by mail.
• Open the official application. Follow the link from the Department of State's online renewal page and complete your own application.
• Enter your information, upload your digital photo and pay. Review your details and follow the portal's instructions to pay by credit or debit card and submit the application.

To renew online, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You are age 25 or older.
• The passport you are renewing was valid for ten years and expires within one year or expired less than five years ago.
• You are not changing personal information, such as your name or sex.
• You are in a U.S. state or territory when you submit the application.
• You are not traveling internationally for at least six weeks after submission. Online renewal offers routine service, not an expedited option at submission.
• You have your passport with you, it is undamaged and it has not been reported lost or stolen.

Keep the passport you are renewing; do not mail it to the Department of State for an online application. It will be invalidated after submission and cannot be used for international travel. If you do not qualify online, check whether you can renew by mail instead.

U.S. Passport Renewal Fees

The official October 2026 fee schedule lists the following passport renewal fees:

• $130 for a passport book (valid for international air, sea, and land travel);
• $30 for a passport card (valid only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda);
• $160 for both the passport book and card (if requested at the same time).

Optional services may add to the total cost:

• Expedited processing for mail renewals: Additional $60, with current processing of approximately 2-3 weeks, excluding mailing time;
• 1-3 Day Return Delivery: Additional $26.87 for delivery of an issued passport book to a U.S. address. This is not available for passport cards and does not speed up application processing.

Payments for mail-in renewals must be made via check or money order payable to the "U.S. Department of State." Do not send cash. Write the applicant's full name and date of birth on the front of the payment. Online renewals require payment by credit or debit card through the secure government portal.

DS-82 mail renewals do not incur the $35 acceptance fee. A file-search fee is not a DS-82 renewal option: if you cannot submit your previous passport, follow the appropriate in-person application procedure instead.

For more details, check our article “How Much is a US Passport? The American Passport Fees Explained”.

FAQs

Where do I mail my completed DS-82 form?

The mailing address for Form DS-82 depends on where you live and which service you choose. Send ordinary mail-renewal applications through USPS, not FedEx or UPS, using the addresses in the Department of State's mail-renewal instructions:

For expedited service, write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope. Include your completed and signed application, your most recent passport, one passport photo, payment and any required name-change documents. If applying from Canada, follow the separate Canada renewal instructions; elsewhere abroad, follow your U.S. embassy or consulate's instructions rather than assuming these domestic mailing procedures apply.

---

How long does passport renewal take with Form DS-82 in 2026?

As of October 2026, routine passport renewal processing takes 4-6 weeks and expedited processing takes 2-3 weeks for an additional $60. Mailing time is separate: allow up to two weeks for the application to arrive and up to two weeks for the new passport to reach you. Optional 1-3-day return delivery speeds up delivery of an issued passport book, not processing. These estimates can change, so check the Department of State's current processing times before planning travel.

---

Can I use Form DS-82 if my passport was issued more than 15 years ago?

No, you cannot use Form DS-82 if your passport was issued more than 15 years ago. This form is only valid if your previous passport was issued within the past 15 years, you were at least 16 years old at the time, and you meet all other eligibility criteria. If your passport is too old, you’ll need to apply in person using Form DS-11.

---

Can I track my DS-82 passport renewal status online?

Yes, you can track your renewal through the U.S. Passport Status Tracker at passportstatus.state.gov. Enter your last name, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number. It can take up to two weeks after you mail your application for the status to show "In Process." A USPS delivery confirmation does not necessarily mean the passport agency has entered your application into its system. Check your email for status updates too.

---

Can I use Form DS-82 if I lost my old passport?

No, Form DS-82 cannot be used if your most recent passport has been lost, stolen, or significantly damaged. In that situation, you must apply in person using Form DS-11. If a valid passport was lost or stolen, report it using Form DS-64 as instructed. A passport reported lost or stolen is invalid for travel even if you later find it.

---

What should I do if my DS-82 photo is rejected or documents are missing?

Follow the instructions in the Department of State's letter or email. Submit the requested replacement photo or documents within 90 days of the notice's date, using the address or response method specified. Do not send a replacement to a general renewal address or start a duplicate application unless instructed. Processing may be delayed until you respond.

If the rejected photo was purchased from Visafoto, you can ask our support team for help or request a 100% refund of the photo purchase price. This does not cover the passport application fee.

Related Links:

• DS-11 Form: a complete guide
• How to dress for a passport photo?
• Passport photo printing guide

Last updated: October 27, 2026.