How to Renew a US Passport

A commonly cited anecdote is the idea that ‘history is written by the victors’ – those who lose the battle also lose their right to have their side heard in the history books.

For example, perhaps you’ve heard the argument that ‘if it weren’t for the United States, you’d be speaking German’.

As if the takeaway from a hypothetical Allied defeat in World War II is that people who weren’t even alive wouldn’t have the chance to speak English. Uhm… so what?

One fact that always stands out, however, is how the United States has convinced the whole world of its own one-sided reality about the Cold War.

Consider that the United States – and many other countries – have used their own flags, national anthems and other jingoistic symbols to drum up support for whatever mission the government decides to fire up.

When you spent your childhood hiding under a desk in your classroom, it’s easy to think that every Soviet citizen must have been living under the most oppressive regime ever. 

In reality, many were just good little slaves who had crappy jobs and drove crappy cars.

While the Soviet Union lost the Cold War for good reason, consider that living in the Soviet Union may not have been quite as restrictive of personal freedoms as Americans would like to think it was. Certainly not today.

That’s not to paint the Soviet Union in a favourable light. But it was the arbitrary restriction of their citizens’ rights to travel abroad that made the place such a disaster. 

And the US government made it no secret that a key component in the Soviets’ lack of liberty was their restriction of many citizens’ freedom of movement.

Today, many of the things that existed in the USSR – secret police, oppressive business restrictions, political punishment for government enemies and the like – now exist in The Land of the Free.

In a way, it’s like they transplanted the Soviet Union to American soil. In fact, the United States could be called the ‘new USSR’; a land where your personal freedoms are being reduced to zero.

The High Cost of Leaving the US

During the Cold War, there was one group that did face especially draconian restrictions on travel and other personal freedoms.

So-called ‘refuseniks’ were typically Soviet Jews who were denied permission to live abroad or expatriate by Eastern Bloc countries as a matter of policy.

Soviet authorities would literally hand down a ruling saying, ‘You can’t leave’.

That way, the government was free to impose as much of its madness on the minority classes as possible. 

Today, things like high taxes would be just the beginning. The entire process not only denied a certain class of people a fundamental human right to travel and change nationalities as they please, but it created a slave class owned by the ruling elite.

In recent times, the US State Department raised the fee to expatriate, or renounce US citizenship, from US$450 to US$2,350.

Just a few years ago, the fee was zero. Renouncing US citizenship was free until 2010. 

That put US policy in line with most other developed countries that charge no or very minimal fees to renounce your citizenship.

However, frequent readers know that the Land of the Free is unique in that it’s the only country in the world of note to assess what is called ‘citizenship-based taxation’ on its citizens.

The media actually described it correctly for a change: the US government is casting anyone who dares leave its borders as evil ‘tax evaders’ as a way to curry favour with the 94% of Americans who are broke and angry that their government doesn’t have more goodies for them.

Simply put, if you’re a US person, you owe tax on all active and passive income you earn around the world. 

There are a few loopholes – at least for now – to avoid tax on a certain amount of actively earned income, but it’s getting tougher.

No other country on earth does this.

And as the United States becomes more and more like a carbon copy of the Soviet Union – but with even more draconian economic policies – the US government is using a back-door method of creating its own group of modern-day refuseniks.

The United States may not be discriminating on race, but they are discriminating against those who want to get the hell out. 

Quite simply, those who don’t want to pay as much as 50% in taxes (or even more in New York and California) to live in an increasingly militarised police state are the enemy.

We are the traitors.

Expatriating from the United States is getting harder and more expensive by the day. Some people literally can’t afford to renounce their US citizenship to get out from under the never-ending and rather expensive reporting requirements that come with living abroad.

One retired woman who moved to Canada in the 1970s lives on a fixed income and can barely pay the tax bill to stay in compliance with FATCA, FBAR and all of the other US government requires just to have an ‘offshore’ bank account that she uses to pay her rent in Canada.

It’s criminal.

On the argument that low-level grunts at US consulates around the world earn US$135 per hour, the government is more than quintupling the tax to leave the country. If you’re a middle-class expat or wannabe expat, this could be cost-prohibitive.

Put another way, it could become literally bankrupting to some to leave a country they no longer want to live in and never asked to be from to begin with.

On the other end of the spectrum, multi-millionaires are facing a more draconian exit tax and the probe that goes with it.

Let’s say, however, that you’re not ready to get a second passport (or to expatriate on the second passport you have) and want to retain your US citizenship for now.

You, too, may face tougher standards simply to renew your US passport as the Land of the Free amps up the mountain of paperwork and privacy-sucking measures.

The guide below will help you understand the modern US passport renewal process.

Understanding the US Passport Renewal Process

You can renew your US passport by mail or online. We’ll outline both processes below to help you understand which will be more convenient. 

It’s recommended to begin the process at least four weeks before you need to use your renewed passport and several months before your existing passport expires. Many countries won’t permit you to enter if your passport has less than six months before expiry.

Eligibility for US Passport Renewal

In some cases, you won’t be eligible for a passport renewal and will have to apply for a new passport in person using form DS-11. 

This is the case if your passport: 

• Was issued before your 16th birthday
• Was issued more than 15 years prior to your application
• Is damaged, lost or stolen
• Was issued in your previous name, and you don’t have a legal document to prove your name change. 

If none of these situations are true, you should be eligible to renew your passport by post or online. 

Documents Needed for US Passport Renewal

The documents you’ll need to prepare for your passport renewal include:

• Form DS-82 (fully completed)
• Passport photo (fully compliant with official regulations)
• Your most recent passport
• Passport renewal fee
• Name change documentation, if necessary. 

US Passport Renewal Fee

The fees for renewing your US passport are the same whether you do so by mail or online.

It costs US$130 to renew your passport book and US$30 to renew your passport card. You can renew both simultaneously for US$160.

You’ll pay US$60 more if you choose to receive an expedited service, completed in an estimated 2-3 weeks instead of 4-6 weeks. 

For a one to two day delivery, you can pay an extra $US21.36 on top of that.      

How to Renew Your US Passport

As mentioned, there are two main processes to renew your US passport: by mail or online.

Sending Your US Passport Renewal Form by Mail

If you choose to renew your passport by mail, you’ll need to get your hands on a copy of form DS-82 and fill it out. 

You can fill out the form on the US Department of State website, download and print it. Alternatively, you can pick up the form at your local passport acceptance facility.

You’ll need to include a passport photo that meets the official requirements. This means a 51mm x 51mm photo with a white background, facing the camera directly with nothing covering your face, etc.

If you’re renewing your passport by mail, you’ll have to submit your fee via personal cheque or money order. You’ll also have to send away your existing passport with the renewal application.

There are two potential addresses to send your application. 

If you want routine service and live in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York or Texas, send to: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 640155, Irving, TX 75064-0155.

If you live anywhere else or if you want expedited service, send to: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA, 19190-0155. 

For expedited service, write ‘EXPEDITE’ on the outside of the mailing envelope. 

US Passport Renewal Online

To renew your passport online, you’ll first need to create an account on the MyTravelGov website. After creating an account, you’ll find a ‘Renew Your Passport’ button on the homepage.

During your application, you’ll have to provide data from your previous passport. You’ll also need to upload a digital photo that meets all the official requirements to be used on a passport. 

You’ll pay your fees online via debit or credit card. 

Bear in mind that there’s no expedited service available online. It will take an estimated 4-6 weeks to receive your new passport.  

Whether renewing online or by mail, you’ll be able to track your application by signing up for email updates online.

Emergency Passport Renewal

If you need a renewed passport in less than three weeks, your best bet is to travel to your local passport agency for an in-person renewal. You’ll need to schedule an appointment ahead of time online.

While scheduling, you’ll be asked when you need to travel and the website will search for an appointment time that meets your requirements.

Even here, it’s advised to book with as much time as possible as appointments can fill up quickly. You’ll need to provide proof of imminent travel and be willing to pay the additional US$60 expedited fee.

Special Circumstances for US Passport Renewal

Not all US passport renewals are the same. Here are some special considerations and scenarios to consider.

US Passport Renewal for Minors

Minors cannot renew their passport using form DS-82. Instead, they must apply for a new passport using form DS-11. These forms are available from the same place.

Under-16s must apply for a passport in person at a local passport acceptance facility with both of their parents or guardians. They’ll need the same documents as an adult, but the adults will also need to provide proof of their relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate or adoption certificate. 

It’s possible to receive a passport without two parents or guardians accompanying you, but this requires significantly more paperwork. 

Those aged between 16 and 17 can apply without their parents attending, although they’ll need to provide proof that one parent is aware they’re applying, such as a signed statement with a photocopy of their ID.  

Damaged or Lost Passports

If your passport is lost or damaged, it cannot be renewed. Instead, you must apply for a new passport using form DS-11. 

Normal wear and tear, such as a bent cover or a fanning of the visa pages, is acceptable. 

However, if your passport is torn, water-damaged, marked or has torn-out pages, this is deemed as beyond normal wear and tear. 

Name Changes

If your name has changed since you received your passport, you can update your name as part of your renewal at no extra cost. 

When doing so, you’ll need to provide certified proof of your changed name, such as a marriage certificate or court-ordered name change document. 

Special Considerations for Nomad Capitalists and Expats

As an expat, renewing your passport can get even more complicated. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Renewing Your US Passport While Abroad

If you want to renew your passport while living overseas, you’ll usually need to do so in person at a local embassy or consulate. Although, a handful of these diplomatic missions allow you to renew by mail.

Either way, the required documents, fees and estimated waiting times are the same. Be aware that some embassies may not provide expedited services. 

Timing Your US Passport Renewal

Whether you’re a nomad with an unpredictable schedule or a US employee planning a spontaneous family holiday, it’s best to err on the side of caution when timing your US passport renewal. 

Official guidance suggests that normal processing of an application takes 4-6 weeks, but you’ll need to add mailing time on top of that. 

Delays are always possible too, so give yourself as much time as possible for a passport renewal to be finalised before you need it to travel. 

Remember that some countries won’t let you enter with a passport that has less than six months remaining before expiry.   

Additional Resources for US Passport Renewal

Still have questions? Consult the following official online resources for more information about renewing your US passport:

• US Department of State Travel Website
• Create a MyTravelGov account
• Download DS-82 form
• Schedule An Emergency Passport Renewal.

Why We Advise People to Choose a Different Passport

The United States passport has long been a symbol of global mobility, but is it the prized possession it once was? 

While the US government may have criticised the limitations of the Soviet Union in the past, there’s no escaping the barriers it puts on its own citizens in the form of citizen-based taxation, the high cost of renunciation and sizeable exit fees. 

Even so, data suggests that more Americans are applying to renounce their citizenship than ever before. 

If you’re a US citizen who’s tired of being held back by these draconian measures, we’d encourage you to make an escape plan. It can take excessive planning to obtain a second passport and reduce your exit tax, but that’s where Nomad Capitalist comes in. 

We’re the specialists in helping people ‘go where they’re treated best’ – our clients are paired with experts in tax, investment planning, asset protection and immigration to plan their dream offshore lives and make it into reality without a hitch. Contact us today.