A United States passport.

Image: Tony Webster · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Renewing US passport from abroad

How to renew your US passport while living in another country: process at US embassy or consulate, fees, processing time, and shipping options.

Renewing US passport from abroad

As a US citizen living abroad, you must keep your US passport valid — it’s your only valid document to enter the US and represents your citizenship. The renewal process from abroad differs slightly from the process in the US.

Three ways to renew from abroad

Option 1: By mail (DS-82)

Most common and simple if your current passport is eligible:

  • Current passport issued when you were 16+ years old
  • Passport in good condition (not damaged)
  • Issued within the last 15 years
  • In your current name (or attach name change document)

Send to nearest US embassy/consulate. DO NOT send to US Passport Center (only for US residents).

Option 2: In person at US embassy/consulate (DS-11)

Required if:

  • First time issuing adult passport
  • Passport issued when under 16
  • Passport expired more than 15 years
  • Passport lost or stolen
  • Name change without legal document

Schedule appointment online on consulate’s site.

Option 3: By mail with expedited service

Some consulates accept expedited mail requests (FedEx, DHL) for faster service.

Required documents (DS-82, by mail)

  • ☐ Form DS-82 completed (download from travel.state.gov)
  • ☐ Current or expired passport (returned with new one)
  • ☐ Recent photo (2x2 inches, US passport format — different from other countries)
  • ☐ Renewal fee ($130 USD adult, $100 minor)
  • ☐ Return shipping (prepaid envelope or additional fee to consulate)
  • ☐ If name change: legal document (court order, apostilled marriage certificate)

Fees (2024-2025)

  • Adult passport: $130 USD
  • Minor passport: $100 USD
  • Passport card (not valid for international flights): $30 USD
  • Expedited at consulate: $60-$150 USD additional
  • Secure return shipping: $20-$80 USD (depends on country and service)

Typical total from abroad: $150-$200 USD

Processing time

  • Routine: 4-6 weeks
  • Expedited (not all consulates): 2-3 weeks
  • Humanitarian emergency (urgent travel for family death, serious illness): 1-3 days

Renewing your child’s passport (born abroad)

If your child was born abroad after you obtained US citizenship, the child is automatically a citizen (with conditions). First step:

  1. Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) — Form DS-2029 at US embassy in country of birth
  2. US passport for minor — requested with CRBA or after
  3. Legally documents the minor’s US citizenship

Official source: Travel.State.Gov — Renew Abroad

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

Frequently asked questions

How do I renew my US passport from abroad?
From another country you renew through the nearest US embassy or consulate, not by domestic mail. You submit Form DS-82 (or DS-11 if you don’t qualify for renewal), photos, and the fee following that post’s instructions.
How long does renewing a passport abroad take?
Processing from abroad varies by post but commonly takes several weeks; some embassies can expedite for urgent travel. Apply well before any planned trip and check your specific embassy’s posted times.
Can I renew my US passport by mail from another country?
Domestic mail-in renewal is for people in the US. From abroad, follow the local embassy/consulate process — some accept applications by appointment, some by courier. Check the embassy website for the exact method.
What does it cost to renew a US passport?
Fees are set by the State Department and change periodically; a passport book renewal is roughly $130 plus any local service or return-shipping charges. Confirm the current fee on travel.state.gov.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.