When renewing a passport, travelers should familiarize themselves with their country’s passport renewal requirements, including which documents or photographs must be submitted with the application. Travelers should also pay the correct fees for renewing their passports, and they should have these fees in the form that the government requires, such as a personal check or money order. Finally, travelers should apply for passport renewal well before their passport’s expiration date.
Even if a person does not intend to travel extensively, having a current passport can be extremely useful as a form of identification as well as allowing them to travel outside of the country as needed. Travelers in the United States are advised to renew their passports nine months before they expire to allow for any issues that may arise during the process. Travelers should contact their own country’s passport agency for advice on how to renew their passports ahead of time.
Passport agencies in many areas make extensive information about passports available online when renewing them. This information can be extremely beneficial to someone who is looking to renew their passport. These individuals should pay close attention to the details of the passport renewal process in order to avoid making mistakes that could result in delays or additional costs. It may be possible to renew a passport by mail in many places, though in-person passport applications may be required for those who have special circumstances.
Some countries allow you to renew your passport in a more expedited manner. Extra fees and the willingness to pay for overnight mail services are usually required. For the quickest service, the traveler may be required to visit a government passport agency. These agencies may only be found in major urban areas, so people who live outside of these areas should be more cautious when renewing their passports.
In the United States, passport applicants are required to submit their own photographs with their application or renewal. Passport photos, in general, must adhere to a set of strict guidelines. As a result, it is generally recommended that travelers have their passport photos taken by a company that specializes in passport photos. If an unsuitable photograph is attached to a passport renewal application, it will usually be returned to the applicant. Another thing to keep in mind is that if a passport agency asks for certain identity documents, such as a birth certificate, divorce certificate, or proof of a court-ordered name change, those documents must be certified by a government agency and bear a raised seal.