Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.
Outside of work, she loves fitness, and she competes in both powerlifting and weightlifting (she can deadlift more than triple bodyweight). Naturally, her travels always involve a fitness component, including a week of cycling up the coastline of Vietnam and a camping trip to the Arctic Circle, where she biked over the sea ice. Other adventures have included hiking 25 miles in one day through Italy's Cinque Terre and climbing the 1,260 steps to Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi, Thailand.
She lives in San Francisco. Assistant Assigning Editor Meghan CoyleMeghan Coyle started as a web producer and writer at NerdWallet in 2018. She covers travel rewards, including industry news, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. She is based in Los Angeles.
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MORE LIKE THIS Travel Insurance Travel Travel Rewards Credit CardsEven if an international trip isn't on your calendar anytime soon, grab your passport and check when it expires. If your passport expires within the next year, don’t wait to renew. Some countries will not allow you to enter if your passport expires within six months. And it costs extra money to get a turnaround on your renewal quickly.
According to the U.S. Department of State, current passport processing timelines are as follows:
Routine processing: Six to eight weeks. Expedited processing: Two to three weeks.What's more, making an emergency visit to a passport agency if it doesn’t come in time is stressful, and not a great way to start your vacation. Here's how to renew your passport.
Though the State Department gives estimations for returning passports to applicants, you run the risk of being that one-off case that took longer than normal.
In addition, the State Department’s projected processing times do not include mailing times, and the department also warns that it can take up to two weeks for your application to actually be acknowledged as “in process.”
Add that all up, and it’s reasonable to start applying for your passport renewal now — even if it doesn’t expire this year.
Some countries require that passports be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip.
That means even if your passport doesn’t expire until the end of 2024, you might not be able to travel internationally during the summer of 2024 if it expires within six months. In fact, some airlines won’t allow you to board with a passport that is near expiry (and hey, you probably don’t want to fly 20 hours to Dubai only to find the United Arab Emirates won’t let you into the country).
The State Department’s Country Information page provides details on which countries have such requirements.
If you procrastinate, then not all is lost — except some of your vacation fund. You can pay extra to receive a passport more quickly, but you’ll have to pay an additional $60 for expedited service.
And even still, the process isn't exactly speedy. Double or triple that cost if you have family members who need that service as well.
Even if you don’t plan to travel internationally anytime in the next few years, a passport could be necessary for domestic travel.
Beginning May 7, 2025, you’ll need Real ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights. Real ID is a state-issued driver’s license or identification card with a star. To obtain Real ID-compliant identification, you’ll typically have to visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency.
To obtain Real ID-compliant identification, you’ll typically have to visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency.
However, you can avoid a trip to the DMV for a new license by showing other acceptable identification at the airport, such as a passport or passport card. Depending on what your local DMV lines are like, it might be easier to just have a valid passport and use it for all domestic and international travel.
How much does it cost to renew your passport? For first-time passport applicants, the cost is $165, including $130 for the application fee and $35 for the execution (or acceptance) fee.
Those who plan to renew their passport do not need to pay the acceptance fee again. You'll be charged $30 for a passport card, $130 for a passport or $160 for both, per person. Expedited services is an additional $60 per person, and if you need it even faster, you can also pay for expedited delivery (one to two days) for an additional $19.53.
In general, the easiest way to renew your passport is by mail. You can do this if all of the following apply:
You have your passport in your possession (and can submit it with your application). It is undamaged (aside from normal wear and tear). You received it when you were at least 16 years old. It was issued within the past 15 years. It was either issued to your current name or you can submit documentation of your name change.To apply by mail, you’ll need the following:
A filled-out DS-82 form . Your most recent passport. Name change documents (such as a marriage certificate), if applicable. A passport photo taken in the past six months.Payment via personal check or money order to the U.S. Department of State of $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card or $160 for both. Expedited service costs an additional $60.
Mail your application and documents to the National Passport Processing Center ( addresses and renewal details can be found here ).
If one of the above five scenarios doesn't apply to you, then you’ll need to apply in person. To apply in person, you’ll need the following:
A filled-out DS-82 form. Your most recent passport. Name change documents (such as a marriage certificate), if applicable. A passport photo taken in the past six months.Payment via personal check or money order to the U.S. Department of State of $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card or $160 for both. Expedited service costs an additional $60.
In the spring of 2023, the U.S. Department of State offered a limited release of online renewal services. This application pathway has since been pause and is no longer available.
A nationwide release is pending improvements to the system.
While you cannot submit an application online now, you can still renew by mail if you are eligible.
Passports expire every 10 years if it was issued after you turned 16 years old. If your current passport was issued while you were 15 and younger, it is valid for 5 years.
Maybe you moved recently and your passport got lost in the shuffle. Or you tossed it in a box after a year of uncertainty of when you’d ever use it again — and now you can’t fathom finding it.
You’ll need to report your lost or stolen passport to the State Department. From there, you must apply for a replacement passport , and standard fees apply.
Frequently asked questions How do I renew my passport if it has already expired?You can renew an expired passport if the passport was issued within the past 15 years only. If the passport was issued earlier than that, go through the same steps of applying for a new passport.
How much is my passport renewal fee in 2024?The cost to renew a passport book is $130. It’s $30 to renew a passport card, or $160 for both. Expedited service costs an additional $60.
Do I need a new photo to renew my passport?Yes, your passport photo must have been taken in the past six months from the time you submit the new passport application.
Will I get my old passport back if I apply by mail?Yes, your old passport book or passport card will be returned (you need to mail in your most recent passport if you are renewing by mail). It usually will be sent separately from the new passport.
How long is my passport valid?If you were at least 16 years old when the passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years. Otherwise, it’s valid for five years.
How do I renew my passport if it has already expired?You can renew an expired passport if the passport was issued within the past 15 years only. If the passport was issued earlier than that, go through the same steps of applying for a new passport.
How much is my passport renewal fee in 2024?The cost to renew a passport book is $130. It’s $30 to renew a passport card, or $160 for both. Expedited service costs an additional $60.
Do I need a new photo to renew my passport?Yes, your passport photo must have been taken in the past six months from the time you submit the new passport application.
Will I get my old passport back if I apply by mail?Yes, your old passport book or passport card will be returned (you need to mail in your most recent passport if you are renewing by mail). It usually will be sent separately from the new passport.
How long is my passport valid?If you were at least 16 years old when the passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years. Otherwise, it’s valid for five years.
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card About the authorYou’re following Sally French
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Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter. She also has worked for MarketWatch and The Orange County Register. She loves fitness, and her travels have included cycling up the coastline of Vietnam and over the sea ice in the Arctic Circle. Sally studied journalism at the University of Missouri. Twitter: @SAFmedia. See full bio.
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