When To Update Your Passport

Having a passport and when you should update it


The best time to update your passport is when it's close to the time of expiration and usually you don't have to wait to do it when it expires and those who have them are advised to do it right away before the expiration date. You renew your passport every 5 years, but with the exception of women who can get their passports changed if they married or changed their last name which requires them to show a marriage certificate stating their status or ID or driver's license that has their new name on it or some kind of legal form that was issued by the court for a name change and it has to be the original that you need to show since copies will not be accepted due to the high concentration of people altering or forging legal documents. It's not a huge hassle as long as it's done in a timely manner and not too close to when you travel. Children can renew their passports by mail by or after the age of 16 with a valid state ID or driver's license. When you update or replace a passport keep a note of what documents are needed so that it can expedite the process and being familiar with the passport laws in the United States can save you a lot of time and stress.

If you update your passport and are looking to expedite you're going to pay a pretty penny in express mail or FEDEX fees to have it sent there and back right away. You can get forms for renewal from the post office or you can download the PDF file on the Department of State website which offers you first time and renewal forms which is probably the most convenient and practical way to do it so you're not making a trip to the post office when you don't have to go there unless you need something. It's a lot less of a hassle to stand in line if you have Internet access and you can download the forms and fill them out and mail them to the address stated in the instructions. The idea is to save yourself an unnecessary trip to stand in line at the post office for a simple form you can actually download, print, and mail with the correct fee for applying or renewing and wait the time out for it to be mailed. Time is of the essence when you are renewing your passport and should be utilized wisely.

When renewing also consider updating the photo since people gain or lose weight or changed hair or whatever physical changes had taken place. If you want to save the money in having pictures made you can do it yourself using a photo shop program or digital picture enhancement programs you can edit and print out on photo paper and cut carefully and apply to the application. It's a good way to save money and time and to get what you need right away and in an efficient and timely manner.