Can I travel while my passport renewal is processing?

No. The State Department keeps your old passport during renewal processing, so you can't travel internationally until you receive your new passport.

What if I need to travel in less than 2 weeks?

Book an appointment at a regional passport agency. They can issue passports same-day or within 72 hours for urgent travel. You need proof of travel like a flight confirmation.

Can I expedite my renewal application after I've already mailed it?

No. You can't upgrade to expedited service once your application is in the system. You'd need to start over with a new application and expedited service.

What happens to my old passport?

They return your old passport with your new one, but they punch holes in it to cancel it. Keep the old one if it has valid visas you want to use.

Do I need an appointment for expedited mail service?

No. Expedited mail service doesn't require an appointment. You only need appointments at passport agencies for urgent travel within 14 days.

How to Renew Your Passport Quickly Before International Travel

Most U.S. passport renewals take 6-8 weeks by mail, but expedited service gets you a passport in 2-3 weeks for an extra $60. For travel within 2 weeks, you need an in-person appointment at a passport agency, which can issue a passport the same day or within 72 hours.

Check if you qualify for renewal by mail. You can renew by mail if your current passport is undamaged, issued when you were 16 or older, issued within the last 15 years, and in your current name. If any of these don't apply, you need to apply in person using Form DS-11.
Choose your processing speed. Standard processing takes 6-8 weeks and costs $130. Expedited processing takes 2-3 weeks and costs $190 ($130 + $60 expedite fee). For travel within 14 days, you need an in-person appointment.
Complete Form DS-82 for mail renewal. Fill out Form DS-82 completely. Sign and date it. Don't sign it until you're ready to mail it — signatures can't be more than 90 days old when received.
Get a proper passport photo. Take a new 2x2 inch color photo within the last 6 months. CVS, Walgreens, and UPS stores do passport photos for $15-20. Don't use a selfie or home printer — they'll reject amateur photos.
Mail your application with tracking. Include Form DS-82, your old passport, new photo, and payment. Send via Priority Mail Express or certified mail so you can track it. Regular mail gets lost. Address it to the National Passport Processing Center.
For urgent travel, book a passport agency appointment. If traveling within 14 days, call 1-877-487-2778 to book an appointment at a regional passport agency. Bring proof of travel (flight confirmation), completed DS-82, photo, old passport, and payment. They can issue same-day or 72-hour passports.
Track your application status. Use the online status tracker at travel.state.gov with your last name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your SSN. Don't call unless there's a real problem — they can't speed up normal processing.

Can I travel while my passport renewal is processing?: No. The State Department keeps your old passport during renewal processing, so you can't travel internationally until you receive your new passport.
What if I need to travel in less than 2 weeks?: Book an appointment at a regional passport agency. They can issue passports same-day or within 72 hours for urgent travel. You need proof of travel like a flight confirmation.
Can I expedite my renewal application after I've already mailed it?: No. You can't upgrade to expedited service once your application is in the system. You'd need to start over with a new application and expedited service.
What happens to my old passport?: They return your old passport with your new one, but they punch holes in it to cancel it. Keep the old one if it has valid visas you want to use.
Do I need an appointment for expedited mail service?: No. Expedited mail service doesn't require an appointment. You only need appointments at passport agencies for urgent travel within 14 days.