You are about to go on an international trip. You get to the airport and are denied boarding the plane. This happens due to an expired passport or an expiring passport.  So now you have to renew your passport. But how do you do it?

Normal Way

You can head over to this website.

And select  renew or replace a passport

 click on Renew by mail 

Once you have done that then, walk through the steps

1. Confirm you meet the requirements
2. Please fill out your form online and print it
3. Submit your most recent passport
   1. Just make sure you don’t need it for a while
4. Submit other documents
   1. If you are changing your name
5. Provide a photo
6. Calculate fees
   1. You can write a check
   2. Or money order
7. Submit application
   1. You can go to a passport place, like a USPS, or one that accepts them.
8. Enroll in an email update
9. Then wait.

If you need it within 3 weeks, visit a passport agency or center.

A New Way

You can go to the link above and click on renew online.  You will do the next:

1. Confirm you meet the requirements
2. Create your account
3. Start your application
4. Enter your most recent Passport info
5. Enter your travel plans
6. Upload a digital photo
   1. No selfies
   2. No scanning of a photo
   3. No taking a photo of an already printed photo
   4. Just have someone take it off you
   5. Here is a link that talks about this website
7. Sign and pay
8. Enroll in email updates

Remember

Once you send your renewal online or in the mail, you can not use your passport anymore.

First Time

You will have to do this all by mail. There is no online choice.

Thoughts

Now, this is a great choice for the newer digital world. Where you can do this online, and it is just about time. I mean, the processing time is the same, but at least you don’t have to

• Print out a document
• Go to a passport place, like USPS or a county/city building
• Get a cashier check if you don’t have a personal check
• Send in your passport

I like this, but it is just too late for me. I had to do it the usual way. But hey, it is an excellent move in the right direction.

Are you going to use the new online method for renewals?

Passport Centers

This is a picture showing the passport centers. You can make an appointment and get your passport in a day. The Purple ones are for the future.

You can click on the next link for more information.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html#Map%20of%20Passport%20Office%20Locations