What is Form DS-82?
Form DS-82 is the U.S. Department of State renewal application for a passport book, a passport card, or both. It is the only passport form that can be submitted entirely by mail — there is no appointment and no acceptance agent.
The form is six pages: four pages of instructions and two pages you actually fill in. This editor opens straight to the first application page, so you are not scrolling through instructions looking for somewhere to type.
One thing to understand before you start: the signature has to be handwritten after printing. That is a rule of the form, not a limitation of this editor.
Can you use DS-82?
You can renew by mail only if all five of the following are true:
- You can submit your most recent U.S. passport with the application
- Your passport is undamaged, apart from normal wear
- You were at least 16 years old when it was issued
- It was issued within the last 15 years
- It was issued in your current name, or you can document your name change
If even one is false, your application will be returned. Check the official renewal guidance if you are unsure.
When you need DS-11 instead
You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if any one of the following is true:
- Your most recent passport was lost, stolen or damaged
- You were under 16 when it was issued
- It was issued more than 15 years ago
- You have never held a U.S. passport
- You cannot submit the passport with your application
How to fill out Form DS-82
Check you are eligible
DS-82 is the mail-in renewal form. If any one of the five eligibility statements is false, you need Form DS-11 and an in-person appointment instead.
Fill in your details
Type directly onto the form — name, date and place of birth, contact details, your most recent passport's number and issue date, and your travel plans. The editor checks each answer fits the printed boxes as you go.
Download and print
Download the completed PDF and print both application pages single-sided, on separate sheets. Black and white is fine; only the photo needs to be in colour.
Sign, attach and post
Sign and date page 1 by hand, staple a new passport photo, and mail the form with your most recent passport and your fee payment.
Do not sign it before printing
The signature on a passport application must be handwritten in ink. Fill the form in, print it, and only then sign and date page 1 in the designated area.
An application posted without a handwritten signature is returned unprocessed, which costs you the full mailing time in both directions.
What to post
- Both printed application pages, signed and dated by hand on page 1
- Your most recent U.S. passport book and/or card
- One new colour passport photo, taken within the last six months
- A check or money order for the fee, payable to “U.S. Department of State”
- Certified proof of your name change, if your name differs from the passport
Post everything together to the address for your state and service level, listed on instruction page 3 of the form. Your old passport is returned to you, usually separately from the new one.
Fees
Renewing by mail has a single application fee — there is no execution fee, because no acceptance agent is involved. Pay by check or money order; cash is not accepted by post.
| What you are renewing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 |
| Passport card | $30 |
| Book and card together | $160 |
| Expedited service (optional) | $60 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amounts on the official fee page before you post your application.
Processing times
Routine service typically takes several weeks, and expedited service shortens it for an extra fee. Processing time is counted from when your application is received, not from the day you post it, and mailing adds time at both ends.
Published times move around a lot depending on demand, so treat any figure you read on a third-party site — including this one — as out of date. Check the current processing times before you book travel, and do not book non-refundable travel until your new passport is in your hand.
Photo requirements
- 2 x 2 inches, in colour, taken within the last six months
- Plain white or off-white background, face square to the camera
- A neutral expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open
- Everyday clothing — no uniforms, and no hats or head coverings unless worn daily for religious reasons
- No glasses — they have not been allowed in passport photos since 2016
A rejected photo is one of the most common reasons an application is delayed. If you are unsure, most pharmacies and shipping stores take compliant passport photos for a few dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to renew your passport?
Type straight onto the official form, check it reads correctly, and download a print-ready PDF.
Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal or immigration advice. We are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency. Passport requirements, fees and processing times change — always confirm details with travel.state.gov before submitting your application.