A US passport enables a person to travel to other countries and re-enter the country as a US citizen. There is no need for holders to submit any other proof of their citizenship. So it is important that this identification document is updated and renewed so as to experience hassle free international travels.
Purpose of US Travel Permit
A person can possess only one valid US passport at a time. It is not a compulsory rule that a US citizen should hold a US passport, but it is a must if at all the person is planning to undertake frequent trips out of the country. US citizens did not require a passport to travel to Canada and Mexico, until recently. However they can now do so, only if they have a valid US passport.
The two formats of travel permit issued are the traditional passport book and the passport card. The book type is small with a navy color cover. It resembles a small book and has many blank pages inside it. The card type was introduced very recently (in 2008). It is highly compact and resembles a credit card. Unlike the book type, it has no pages and hence more convenient than the book. One major difference between the two is that the card type can be used only when a person travels to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean whereas the Passport books can be used during all international trips.
When should one go in for passport renewal?
When a person has a travel permit that is about to expire, he/she should go in for passport renewal. When a person applies for a renewal, he/she should submit the old permit in order to get it canceled, after which it will be returned. US passport is considered to be a property of the US government. (It has the right to revoke any person's travel permits on valid grounds.)
When a person applies for a new passport, it requires to be applied in person. It is not so in the case of renewing passports. Renewal of US passports can easily be done through mail itself. A person can go in for renewing if his/her US passport:
· is about to expire and is undamaged (so that it can be submitted along with the travel permit application) · was issued when the person was 16 years of age or older
· was issued within the past 15 years
· was issued with the person's current name
A person can also renew his/her permit in case he/she wants to document their name change legally.
Passport renewal process
There are two different situations in the process of renewing travel permit.
· Passport Renewal from inside the US - Form DS-82 (Application for a US Passport by Mail) should be filed to renew US passport.
· Passport renewal from outside the US - US Citizens in Canada should file Form DS-82 to the address mentioned on the form; Others should renew their passports at their nearest US Consulate or Embassy
A person, whose US passport has been badly mutilated or damaged, cannot apply for passport renewal through mail and should apply in person only. Also if a person is behind on child support payments, then this disqualifies him/her from applying for a renewal of the passport.
It is recommended that all passport renewal applications and personal documents (for proof) be sent only by a traceable delivery method like UPS, FedEx or USPS (United States Postal Service). The applicants are also advised to mail their applications and supporting documents using a secure packaging so as to protect the contents from extreme weather conditions. The application and personal documents should not be folded and applicants should never use a standard letter envelope. Passports that are renewed by mail in the US should be mailed only to US and Canadian addresses.
Fee for Passport Renewal Process
The fee varies depending on whether the applicant is filing to renew either passport book or card.
Passport Book and Card - $140 Passport Book - $110 Passport Card - $30
If you are interested in learning more about How to Renew Green Cards, Green Card Application, US Passport Renewal and Passport Application visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Direct Services at
Purpose of US Travel Permit
A person can possess only one valid US passport at a time. It is not a compulsory rule that a US citizen should hold a US passport, but it is a must if at all the person is planning to undertake frequent trips out of the country. US citizens did not require a passport to travel to Canada and Mexico, until recently. However they can now do so, only if they have a valid US passport.
The two formats of travel permit issued are the traditional passport book and the passport card. The book type is small with a navy color cover. It resembles a small book and has many blank pages inside it. The card type was introduced very recently (in 2008). It is highly compact and resembles a credit card. Unlike the book type, it has no pages and hence more convenient than the book. One major difference between the two is that the card type can be used only when a person travels to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean whereas the Passport books can be used during all international trips.
When should one go in for passport renewal?
When a person has a travel permit that is about to expire, he/she should go in for passport renewal. When a person applies for a renewal, he/she should submit the old permit in order to get it canceled, after which it will be returned. US passport is considered to be a property of the US government. (It has the right to revoke any person's travel permits on valid grounds.)
When a person applies for a new passport, it requires to be applied in person. It is not so in the case of renewing passports. Renewal of US passports can easily be done through mail itself. A person can go in for renewing if his/her US passport:
· is about to expire and is undamaged (so that it can be submitted along with the travel permit application) · was issued when the person was 16 years of age or older
· was issued within the past 15 years
· was issued with the person's current name
A person can also renew his/her permit in case he/she wants to document their name change legally.
Passport renewal process
There are two different situations in the process of renewing travel permit.
· Passport Renewal from inside the US - Form DS-82 (Application for a US Passport by Mail) should be filed to renew US passport.
· Passport renewal from outside the US - US Citizens in Canada should file Form DS-82 to the address mentioned on the form; Others should renew their passports at their nearest US Consulate or Embassy
A person, whose US passport has been badly mutilated or damaged, cannot apply for passport renewal through mail and should apply in person only. Also if a person is behind on child support payments, then this disqualifies him/her from applying for a renewal of the passport.
It is recommended that all passport renewal applications and personal documents (for proof) be sent only by a traceable delivery method like UPS, FedEx or USPS (United States Postal Service). The applicants are also advised to mail their applications and supporting documents using a secure packaging so as to protect the contents from extreme weather conditions. The application and personal documents should not be folded and applicants should never use a standard letter envelope. Passports that are renewed by mail in the US should be mailed only to US and Canadian addresses.
Fee for Passport Renewal Process
The fee varies depending on whether the applicant is filing to renew either passport book or card.
Passport Book and Card - $140 Passport Book - $110 Passport Card - $30
If you are interested in learning more about How to Renew Green Cards, Green Card Application, US Passport Renewal and Passport Application visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Direct Services at
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