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How to Renew a Passport (2026): DS-82 Step by Step
Eligibility and processing figures verified against travel.state.gov on September 17, 2026. Most adults renew a U.S. passport by mail using Form DS-82, no appointment and no trip to the post office required. You qualify if your most recent passport was issued when you were 16 or older, within the last 15 years, is undamaged, and…
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Passport Photo Requirements
A U.S. passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches, in color, and taken in the last 6 months. You need a plain white or off-white background, a neutral expression or a natural closed-mouth smile, both eyes open, and no glasses. Those are the State Department’s passport photo rules, and a photo that misses one…
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How Much Is a U.S. Passport? 2026 Fees and Costs
Fees verified against travel.state.gov on August 31, 2026. A first-time adult passport book costs $165. That is a $130 application fee paid to the U.S. Department of State, plus a $35 acceptance fee paid to the facility that takes your application. A renewal by mail costs $130 and has no acceptance fee. A child’s passport…
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Checking Your Passport Status
To check your passport status, use the State Department’s online status checker with your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. It shows where your application stands, and we explain each status below. Applied through The Passport Office? Track your order on our track page with your…
Category: Passport Guides
Applications, renewals, fees, forms, requirements, policies, processing, and practical instructions.