USPS Passport Appointment

Applying for a passport or renewing a passport is a really important step if you are planning for a trip in the near future. As we are already good at forgetting birthdays or anniversaries, we often tend to ignore a much more critical date, which is the passport expiry date. As our passports are a significant tool in letting us travel the world, it is necessary to get them renewed if the expiry date is near or apply for a passport if you don’t have one already. To help you do this, we have briefly listed the USPS Passport Appointment process for both first-timers and for those who wish to renew their passports.

USPS Passport Appointment

If you are a first-timer or let’s say that you never had a passport before, then through USPS, you can send out a first-time passport application. Generally, a child who is under 16 needs the consent of both the parents and needs to apply for a first-time passport at the local passport acceptance facility. Moving towards the renewal, the ones who are above 16 can either renew their passport by mail if the passport was issued while they were 16, or they can apply for renewal at the passport agency.

Check out this other article of ours on USPS priority mail from here.

Depending on when your passport was issued, you need to get it renewed every 5-10 years. If you are a person who is constantly traveling, you are probably aware that your passport must be valid for at least a year or 6 months after your recent trip date. So, let’s detail the USPS Passport Appointment process for the first-time applicants along with the renewal process.

Apply for a U.S. Passport – Post Office Passport Application

Collect the Necessary Documents

If you have never applied for a passport for your child who is under 16, then you need to apply for a passport in person at the Post Office. You must bring the following documents with you for the USPS passport appointment procedure:

• Proof of citizenship document
• A form of photo ID
• A photocopy (the front and back) of both the citizenship document and the photo ID

Once you make plans to travel internationally, you must apply for a new passport way before the travel date. Generally, first-timers, minors, or people who are not eligible to apply for a passport renewal by mail can visit the local USPS post office to send the application. Make sure to carry the documents and photocopies along with the unsigned application form(DS-11).

Passport Application Form Filling

The DS-11 form should be completely filled and printed. Remember that the form must not be signed by the candidate as the postal employee must witness the signature. Carry the other documents and photocopies. Carry the application fee along with you after calculating it.

USPS Passport Appointment

You can schedule a USPS Passport Appointment either online through the USPS website or through a self-service kiosk. Both the procedures are mentioned below:

Online

Before heading to the post office, you have to set an appointment, as the passport hours at every USPS outlet may vary. For this, you need to schedule a USPS passport appointment. Fill the form by selecting the passport service, selecting the time, and then providing the necessary contact details. Agree to the terms and conditions and finally click on Review Appointment. You can make any modifications if needed and then submit the application.

Self-Service Kiosk

Visit the nearest USPS post office that has a self-service kiosk. Tap on the screen to select Other Services, in the next step click on the Passport Scheduler option. Select the required service along with the number of adults and minors who are filling out the passport application. Then select a post office and set up the date and time. Enter the contact information after reviewing it. Click on “Schedule Appointment” and then take a print of the receipt that has your confirmation and other details.

Pay the Passport Fee

All the first-timers need to pay a passport application fee along with a passport processing fee. If you want the application processing to be quick, you need to pay an extra fee. The Passport Application Fee to be paid at the Post Office is $35.00 which can be paid through debit, credit, pay by check, or money order.

The State Department fee is separate from the fee paid to the USPS. To pay for the Application Processing, you need to pay the State Department fee. You can calculate the State Department Passport Fee through this platform. Remember that the State Department Fee cannot be paid through credit or debit cards. It can only be paid through Checks payable to the U.S. Department of State or Money Order.

USPS Passport Appointment Status and Updates

The application processing takes up to 8 to 11 weeks in total. For quick processing(5-7 weeks), you need to pay an amount of $60. You can check the status of your passport application through this link. You may get any of the following four statuses upon checking:

• Not Available: This status signifies that the application is in transit. During this phase, all the background information, the payments, and the application is processed by the Department of State.
• In Process: The application is in process, which might take up to two weeks
• Approved: Processing is complete and the passport is being printed
• Mailed: The passport is being sent to the address that you mentioned in the application

Check out USPS package pickup details from here.

How to Renew Passport?

If you already own a passport that has expired or the expiry date is close, then you renew your passport either in person at the USPS post office or through the mail.

USPS Passport Renewal Near Me

Renewing your password in person at the post office has its advantages. Although the process could be a bit time-consuming, you will have all the necessary documents and do not have to worry about losing any of those documents. Here are a few sequences of steps that you need to follow to renew your passport at the post office:

Find a Post Office

As mentioned already, all the USPS outlets do not follow the same number of hours for passport processing. You need to find the nearest USPS post office by filling in your zip code and location. Additionally, fill in the kind of services that you are looking for and click on Search.

Furthermore, if you are looking for photo services along with passport services, then you can also do that through the USPS locator tool. Just check the box for Photo On-Site.

USPS Passport Appointment

The next step is to schedule an appointment with the USPS post office to have your passport renewed. You can either call the USPS facility to ask for an appointment, or you can use the self-service kiosk or schedule an appointment online. Although many USPS post offices accept walk-in customers, it is better to have an appointment at hand.

Fill the Application Form

The next step is to complete the paperwork using the proper forms. To renew a passport, a DS-82 passport form is used. To apply with this form, you need to have your old passport with you. If the passport was lost or stolen, you should immediately report it by filling the DS-11 Application for US Passport along with the DS-64 Statement Regarding a Lost or a Stolen Passport. If the child is under 16, they must also use the DS-11 form. You can get these forms at the USPS post office.

Carefully fill out the application by hand and also carry the photos (2×2 inches) along.

Submit the Application

Carry all the necessary forms, photos, and IDs with you to the Post Office and carry the passport renewal fee which is $110. For a faster renewal, you need to pay an amount of $60. It will take approximately 4-5 weeks for your passport to arrive, which you can track using the online tracking tool.

Renew USPS Passport Through Mail

You can also renew your password through the mail if the answer to the following questions is Yes.

• You have your old passport with you to submit it along with the online application
• The passport isn’t damaged apart from minor tears
• The passport was issued to you while you were aged 16 or above
• Passport was issued to you in the past 15 years
• The passport that was issued to you is in your current name

Remember that you should apply in person if the answer to any of the above questions was No. To renew your passport online, follow the steps given below:

Fill Out the Form DS-82

Fill in all your correct information and print the form single-sided, as double-sided forms are not accepted. Do not forget to sign it before printing. Have your passport photo ready along with the renewal fee. Collect the forms, the old passport, and any other necessary documents in a large envelope. Do not fold the application form. Address the envelope and then mail it.

Mail the Application

Mail the envelope through the USPS Priority Mail Service with Delivery or Signature Confirmation. For overnight delivery, you can use the USPS Priority Mail Express Services.

Track Your Delivery

• You can track the delivery through the USPS tracking tools to find out where your package is and how long will it take to reach the destination.
• Use the Department of State tracking services to track the status of your application. It might take a few weeks, apparently 5-7 weeks till your application is received, processed, and scanned.

Problems Associated with Passport Renewal Process

Many people across the country opt for either renewal or a fresh passport through USPS. In some cases, you might come across some problems or issues that slow down your renewal or application process. To ensure that the passport renewal or application system does not take too long, you must be really careful while filling the application. Some issues that you might encounter are:

• Basic Errors: If there are any errors in your current passport, you can have them corrected at no additional cost, but on the condition that the passport must be valid. You can make corrections to spelling errors or any incorrect information
• Lost or Stolen Passport: You can report a lost or stolen passport by calling on the toll-free number 1-877-487-2778. You can also print the DS-64 form and mail it to the address that is mentioned on the form.

Tips and Tricks While Applying for a Passport

• The USPS services caters to your passport application requires through appointments only. This means that a customer cannot walk into the USPS post office without an appointment. Use the self-service kiosk or the online USPS scheduler to make an appointment
• Through USPS, you can only send first time applications and renewal applications. USPS does not conduct any processing or issuing
• A regular passport renewal might take 5-7 weeks. Plan your trip in advance and also send the renewal application before the date of the trip
• You can use USPS scheduler to apply for the photo services as well. This will save enough of your time
• Take a look at this YouTube video which explains the entire process of applying for a passport, the necessary requirements and where to get them from, etc.
• Send your application by Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express to ensure that the mail reaches the Department of State on time or overnight.

What Are the Advantages of Using the USPS Passport Appointment Facility?

Using the USPS passport issuing facility is very beneficial if you want a passport renewal, or you are applying for a new passport. USPS passport facility welcomes first-time passport applicants and sends their applications to the Department of States. Alongside applying for a first-time passport application, you can also send your renewal application by Mail through the USPS passport facility. Priority Mail is the most popular mailing service through which you can send your passport renewal documents to the Department of States. Additionally, you can track your envelope to make sure it reaches the Department of States in a timely order.

Learn about USPS flat rate envelope from here.

Conclusion

Passports play a major role in international traveling. You need to be aware of your passport expiry date and get them renewed as soon as you are planning to go for any further trips. There’s a high probability that your passport has already expired if you haven’t used them in a while. The passports are supposed to be valid for almost a year or 6 months at least if you are in a foreign country. You can get your passports on an expedited date by paying a certain amount of fee. If you are in need of a much quicker service than the expedited date, then you can go for the Emergency Passport Renewal Services, which help travel to the U.S. in less than 72 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)