You can renew your U.S. passport if it was issued when you were age 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and is either expiring within the next year or expired less than 5 years ago. Your passport must be in good condition and be a 10-year standard passport. It is advisable to start the renewal process at least 6 to 9 months before your passport expires, especially if you have upcoming travel plans. Renewals can be done online (if eligible), by mail using Form DS-82, or in person if you do not meet certain criteria. If you qualify for online renewal, you can apply anytime within one year before your passport expires or if it has expired less than 5 years ago. The new online renewal process, available in 2025, delivers your new passport in about 6 to 8 weeks. If not eligible for the online option, you can renew by mail using the DS-82 form as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Otherwise, you need to apply in person. In summary:

• Start renewal about 6-9 months before expiration.
• Eligible for renewal if passport issued in last 15 years, at age 16 or older, and expiring within a year or recently expired.
• Renew online if eligible during the year before expiration or within 5 years post-expiration.
• Renewal processing takes about 6-8 weeks.

This information applies to the U.S. passport renewal process as of 2025.