What To Do In Securing A Replacement Passport

by erin on July 7, 2011

A passport is a proof of identity and citizenship. It allows you to set foot in other countries with an understanding that your host country will treat you well. This document has an expiration date that is usually ten years after approval. If you were 15 years or younger when you got your travelling papers, it will expire sooner in five years. When the expiry date is near, it is best to have it renewed. As a matter of policy, you are discouraged to travel abroad if your documentation has only nine months validity left in it. A passport that is damaged or more than 15 years old cannot be renewed. You have to apply for a new one, which entails additional steps and documentation. Read on to find out how getting a replacement passport is done.

Mail Submission

Passport renewal is done by mail. You need an envelope that is the same size or larger than your documents so that they will fit without folding them. First, get a copy of Form DS-82, which can be downloaded, for free from the Internet. You need to put your old passport, some pictures of the required size and other documents into the envelope. Other documents will be required if you got married and you changed your name. In this case, you will be asked to include your marriage certificate.

Renewal Form

In the renewal form, you will be asked if you want a thicker booklet that contains 52 pages. A standard booklet contains only 28 pages. The additional pages found in the thicker booklet will come in handy if you are a frequent traveler. Some countries require blank pages to attach a visa.

Travel Documents

The process of getting a replacement for your travel documents takes about one month to a month and a half. Because you will be discouraged to travel if you have less than nine months of validity left, use this time to renew them. Some countries even require that you have about six months of validity left in your papers after your intended date of departure.

Expedited Processing

There is a faster way of getting a replacement passport. It is called expedited processing. It will take three weeks but you have to pay additional fees. If you wish to have your document processed this way then you have to mark the envelope that contains your papers with the word “Expedite”.

Mailed Separately

After you receive your renewed papers, you will get the old one back. It will be mailed back to you separately. Although it is already cancelled, it is still important because it is proof of your American citizenship. Keep your old set of papers safe.

Application Status

Those who want to determine the status of their application may do so online. This is an automated feature that requires only your last name, your birthday, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number to proceed. Use this request to help you plan your next travel.

Travel Success

If you reached the point of renewing your travel documents, you must already know how important it is to keep them valid. The success of your travels depends a lot on how far your papers are from expiring. When you have only nine months left, consider this as an opportunity to get a replacement passport, even when getting a passport for minors.

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