Question: I have everything ready to MAIL but want to know the best way to mail all the renewal documentation including my original passport.
Do you recommend US postal service? Do you recommend Certified mail with return receipt? Can the documents be sent via Regular Mail? Is FedEx or UPS a good option?
Answer: You are strongly encouraged to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method. This will minimize the risk of your documents getting lost.
A traceable delivery method lets you confirm the receipt of your package at the intended destination. Traceable delivery methods include:
* USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation
* USPS Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation
* USPS Express Mail (for overnight delivery requests) traceable delivery method
USPS Certified Mail and USPS Registered Mail are also forms of traceable mail but take longer to reach the mailing destination than Priority or Express Mail service.
Please Note: Your application for a passport renewal will be sent to a PO Box. Therefore, the traceable delivery method used must be able to deliver to a PO Box address.
Also, in order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, you are encouraged to send your passport application and any personal documents using a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.
Question: So logic would tell me to only send in the actual "application", which is 2 pages. Should I also include pages 1-4 of the instructions?
Question: I watched a YouTube video that said to fill the application out in all capital letters and to use only a black ink pen.
When I filled my application out I used a dark blue pen to do the application and only capitalized the first letter of every question, Will my application still be processed if I didn't use a black pen to fill it out or capitalize every letter in the application.
Answer: Passport application forms are meant to be machine-readable. The problem with the blue ink is that it may not be read and the lower case letters may not be recognized, depending on the handwriting. Errors in reading the forms may result in errors on the passport itself.
Question: I plan on using a personal check for payment but my address on the check is not my current address and my first name is shortened on the check, Will this be a problem with processing my payment?
Question: My husband and I are renewing our passports at the same time. I was wondering if both renewal applications could be mailed in the same envelope. It would save money but would it cause confusion?
Question: Is it necessary to include my social security number on the form? I’m really not comfortable mailing this information.
Question: Hi. My kids have very long middle names and I used their full names in their passports. I was wondering when it’s time to get them another passport, can I drop their middle names or does it need to stay on since it was already there when I applied the first time?
Question: I am not finding anywhere on the website that is required to not fold your documents when mailing them in. I see other comments saying it does. Please provide a screenshot of what you're seeing and a link.
Question: Hello. We completed our passport appointment for our infant and at the time did not have her SSN yet. We have received it and I see her passport is still In Process. We have not heard from the agency via email or mail about sending in her SSN to complete the passport application. Is there an address we can send the SSN and be proactive? We leave in one month abroad. We paid at the passport appt for rushed service. Many thanks.
Question: I brought my documents to UPS and I asked them to staple my picture to my form and I noticed that he did stapled by mistake the second page with it. I didn't want to remove the staple to avoid demanding my picture. Will I have any problems with that? He put 2 staples.
Question: Hi I’m just trying to figure out where do I mail my form after I get it notarized? I live in Madison Wisconsin.
Answer: Hi, Derrick. I am not sure what form you needed to have notarized. If you are referring to DS-82, please mail your application to the following address:
STANDARD SERVICE (8-11 weeks):
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
EXPEDITED SERVICE (5-7 weeks, additional $60):
Question: I didn't know I wasn't supposed to fold my application. My photos are not creased. It has already been sent via registered mail along with all my documents and old passport. What will happen now? USPS says the Post Office received it but it is not showing on the government website yet. Will I have to resend it unfolded?
Question: How long does it take for the state to pick up at the PO box for a passport?
Question: If I have a passport card but am not planning to renew it and only planning to renew my passport book, is it okay to just mail my passport book and not the card?
Question: I recently attempted to submit an application at the Waimanalo post office for my disabled son. The postal worker was disinterested and rude. Went home to get his state ID as the copy I had was deemed unacceptable by her. Upon returning, I was told to go to 7-11 to make a copy of ID as the Waimanalo Post office's machine not working. Went to 7-11. Machine not working. Returned to post office. Requested documents back and left. Postal worker then displayed some sense of surprise.
Told her I was leaving and that she'd already wasted enough of my time and that I'd find another way to submit my son's application. She could've scanned any and all information on the on-site computers. It's supposed to be a Federal Gov't entity. The person should've been reprimanded and sent home with no pay for the day. Not likely that'll happen. Just like the likelihood of this being read by USPS.
Question: Can I mail my renewal application from any USPS location?
Question: Should I include a self-addressed return envelope if I am mailing in my renewal application or will they mail it back to me? They mention a $17.65 delivery 1-2 days but is this optional?
Question: Hi, I sent my passport renewal via certified mail. The USPS tracking site says it arrived at the post office on 6/15, and that it has not been signed for/picked up yet. It is now 7/8. When will it be picked up?
Answer: We are not privy to delivery and pickup schedules. What we know is that it may take up to 6 weeks for the application to begin processing.
Question: Hi. I sent my passport renewal application on March 5th. I did not, however, use certified mail. I do not have a way to track the application. I called Monday, and the agency said the application was not in the system, but not to worry because they are behind. I am worried though because we leave for Mexico in 6 weeks. When should I report the old, expired passport as lost and reapply? I’m afraid to wait much longer.
Question: If I send my passport renewal application via USPS 2-day priority mail would it be able to be delivered to a PO Box address?
Question: I forgot to use traceable mail when I mailed off my passport renewal due to a name change. I placed it in a USPS collection box instead. It's been a little over a month now and my application is listed as not found on the passport application status portal. I called the customer service number and they told me just to wait. I'm worried that my documents are lost or the passport would take too long to arrive to the passport center. Should I just reapply and say my previous passport was lost?
Question: Is certified mail deliverable to government passport p.o. box?
Question: Can a passport renewal sent through certified mail be delivered to the Government P.O Box?
Answer: You may use USPS Certified Mail but it may take longer to reach the mailing destination than Priority or Express Mail service.
Question: Do I have to include a self-addressed envelope with my renewal application to have my passport returned to me?
Question: I am a flight attendant who travels every week overseas for work. Therefore
it is so very important to have it as soon as possible.
Question: Can the application be printed on both sides of a single page?
Question: Can you send more than one application in one envelope? (wife and I)
Nowhere on passport website does it say documents can't be folded.
Here's a verbatim quote from the State Department's website:
"When mailing your passport application from the United States, please use:
Question: Can you fold the application and use a smaller envelope?
Question: You did not answer if sending the for renewal by FedEx is OK or not.
Answer: You may send the application through FedEx but you are strongly encouraged to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method. This will minimize the risk of your documents getting lost.
A traceable delivery method lets you confirm the receipt of your package at the intended destination. Traceable delivery methods include:
Question: I submitted the wrong application. My recent passport that expired was issued to me before I was 16 years old. I did not fill out the Form DS-11. When will they send me back the wrong application/expired passport/check? I filled out Form DS-82.
Question: I can see that the passport was mailed last Wednesday via certified mail. How can if find out the tracking number for the return of my passport?
Question: I mailed my passport renewal on February 25th and asked for tracking but once I got home, I noticed on the receipt that they didn't add tracking. It just said estimated arrival Feb 28th. Should I worry that I have no way of tracking my application? What can I do? Just wait?
Question: Should application pages 1 and 2 be stapled together? Also, should check also be stapled to application when paying by mail?
Question: I just sent my passport renewal with my previous passport, certified copy of my wedding license since my name changed, and all my current contact info, including SSN as requested on the renewal form, through the mail. I used Priority mail (traceable) in a Tyvek envelope. However, I am paranoid about what will occur if my mail is lost or stolen, since this has happened to mail coming to me and sent from me in the past - even when dropped off at the Postal Office itself. How can this method of mailing all our most valuable information together be considered safe? USPS takes NO responsibility when they lose mail or have mail stolen. What are the recommended steps to take if my packet is ‘lost?’
Answer: Since you used a traceable delivery method, it is highly unlikely that your parcel will be lost. You can keep track of your documents and follow-up if need be.
Question: What if I mail my renewal to wrong passport center?
When mail is sent to a po box that needs to be signed for, a note is put in the po box and the owner then has to come to the window and sign for the mail.
Question: What do I write in block # 20 if I don't have any travel plans as of yet?
Question: One of the methods of mailing documents you list includes a signature required service - yet you know that this is going to a PO Box. Why even include this method of tracking when it is not an option?
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In a Hurry? Get Reliable Expedited Passport Courier Service: Expedite My U.S.Passport Now!About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.