Passport Renewal Questions

[Rainger99]

I am renewing my passport online. Anyone done it lately? About how long did it take?

And why would anyone order the 32-page (standard) passport instead of the 52-page (large) passport? They are both the same price.

Finally, a passport is for ten years but you can’t use it for travel after 9.5 years because many countries require that you have a valid passport with six months remaining.

So you have to renew it about 8-9 months before it expires. The new passport should run from the date the old one expires - not from the date it is issued.

The State Department recommends renewing it nine months before it expires.

[Kelevision]

I am renewing my passport online. Anyone done it lately? About how long did it take?

And why would anyone order the 32-page (standard) passport instead of the 52-page (large) passport? They are both the same price.

Finally, a passport is for ten years but you can’t use it for travel after 9.5 years because many countries require that you have a valid passport with six months remaining.

So you have to renew it about 8-9 months before it expires. The new passport should run from the date the old one expires - not from the date it is issued.

The State Department recommends renewing it nine months before it expires.

I don’t remember how long mine took. A quick google search tells me people regret getting the 52 page if they don’t need it as it’s bulky to carry and they wish they could switch to the 32 because they’ll never need the pages since most countries are moving to digital entry/exit systems and aren’t stamping them anymore. As for the renewal length? that’s well above my pay grade. Lol

[thelegges]

I renew my moms online, the 32 is all that was needed. 4 weeks 3 days start to finish. Didn’t pay attention to the end date, this will be last renewal. So different than renewing for the past 40 years. We traveled, but stayed in country for weeks, so less stamps.

[ElDiabloJoe]

We renewed Mrs. EDJ's a few months ago. It was easy peasy, and received the new one within 2 weeks. We even submitted a new photo we took here in the house with her iPhone.

Beware: There are a few "third-party" services that will process an online renewal for your passport, but then charge over twice as much as the passport renewal fee for their services. These are to be avoided. I recommend using the official government site:
Renew my Passport Online (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html)

[Bill14564]

We renewed Mrs. EDJ's a few months ago. It was easy peasy, and received the new one within 2 weeks. We even submitted a new photo we took here in the house with her iPhone.

Beware: There are a few "third-party" services that will process an online renewal for your passport, but then charge over twice as much as the passport renewal fee for their services. These are to be avoided. I recommend using the official government site:
Renew my Passport Online (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html)

I'm looking forward to trying the online service but the last I checked the passport expiration date needed to be less than a year away. I enter that window in November.

[bilcon]

Very easy. Fill out the renewal form, choose expedited service, pay the extra for quicker postal service, put it in a mailer at the post office and you should get it in about 2 weeks. I just renewed mine.

[npwalters]

We did it online and used "regular" processing. W had to take a new photo since they now want more of the torso in the pic but that was easy with a Iphone. Took less than 3 weeks.

[jimhoward]

I'm looking forward to trying the online service but the last I checked the passport expiration date needed to be less than a year away. I enter that window in November.

Are you sure about that? I renewed one that was less than a year old.

My reason for renewing early is that I went on a year long world cruise and wanted the big book to be sure of not running out of pages. I also wanted a passport card, since it is a handy form of ID even if only valid for travel in Canada and the Caribbean. I'm not sure one actually needs a reason to renew early however.

[dtennent]

Having the bigger book is worth it. I can still put both of our passports in my shirt pocket. While some countries have moved to electronic visas, etc., most have not done so. We have plenty of pages stamped in our passport and still have many years to go before we renew.

[Berwin]

I was going to mention that you could get extra pages for your passport but looking it up before posting (I know), I see that the US stopped doing that in 2016.

[Cuervo]

I did and like a previous poster I do not remember, what I do remember it took at least a few weeks, but then I was in no rush.
But there is information online on how to expedite the process in case you have some upcoming travel.

[HJBeck]

Took us 6 weeks, before DOGE cutbacks, so not sure what current timeline is. We had to send old one back with new application , so it made no sense to do it online forever us.

[westernrider75]

I am renewing my passport online. Anyone done it lately? About how long did it take?

And why would anyone order the 32-page (standard) passport instead of the 52-page (large) passport? They are both the same price.

Finally, a passport is for ten years but you can’t use it for travel after 9.5 years because many countries require that you have a valid passport with six months remaining.

So you have to renew it about 8-9 months before it expires. The new passport should run from the date the old one expires - not from the date it is issued.

The State Department recommends renewing it nine months before it expires.

I did mine in person not online, took about 3 weeks to come back. I got the smaller one, why would I need a big bulky thing?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

There is also the passport card, so going to Canada, bermuda, etc is much easier without the traditional paper passport.

Adapting is hard as we grow older, the changes are much faster than in the past. . try looking at the positive side of technological improvements and try to keep up. .

[seecapecod]

I am renewing my passport online. Anyone done it lately? About how long did it take?

And why would anyone order the 32-page (standard) passport instead of the 52-page (large) passport? They are both the same price.

Finally, a passport is for ten years but you can’t use it for travel after 9.5 years because many countries require that you have a valid passport with six months remaining.

So you have to renew it about 8-9 months before it expires. The new passport should run from the date the old one expires - not from the date it is issued.

The State Department recommends renewing it nine months before it expires.

I renewed mine and my husbands when the new process was in Beta testing- his arrived in 4 days mine in 6, but that was before the capability was released to everyone

[TerryTre]

All I can recommend is DO NOT use GOV+.
I used them and they are useless.

[MikeVillages]

Years ago my passport was near full so I got page extensions. Apparently they don't do that anymore. The next renewal I got the one with more pages but wasn't needed & didn't like the thickness. So the following time I got the reqular one. I’ve also noticed that many countries use smaller stamps than before. I also got the passport card the last time as it is more convenient when you travel and when a passport is not required. Renewing passports is quicker, or at least it use to be.

[merrymini]

Easy but did it the regular way, by sending in the passport and all related necessary docs. Did not take too long but did not keep close track as I was not under duress. Some country’s stamp and some don’t. I did not even know they had a bigger size passport and cannot imagine that would be convenient to carry around. Mind you, your old passport is returned separately from another location and you should receive your new one first. This way, if you have a visa from a country that remains valid, like China, you can utilize the visa for it’s full duration.

[Just jimmy]

Very easy. Fill out the renewal form, choose expedited service, pay the extra for quicker postal service, put it in a mailer at the post office and you should get it in about 2 weeks. I just renewed mine.

We just did ours paid regular fee. Also got in 2 weeks. We did the whole thing online. Did not even have to send old one in.

[TomPerry]

Go online to the official State Department site. Fill out the form and print it (about 15-20 minutes). Go to the Sumter County Clerk of Courts office at the corner of CR466 and Morse Blvd (about 15-20 minutes)(with your checkbook for the fees and pictures). Go to a full service Post Office (about 15-20 minutes). Go about your life. In about 2 weeks or 6 weeks depending on processing you choose, it will be delivered to your front door!

[MaybeaMove]

I am renewing my passport online. Anyone done it lately? About how long did it take?

And why would anyone order the 32-page (standard) passport instead of the 52-page (large) passport? They are both the same price.

Finally, a passport is for ten years but you can’t use it for travel after 9.5 years because many countries require that you have a valid passport with six months remaining.

So you have to renew it about 8-9 months before it expires. The new passport should run from the date the old one expires - not from the date it is issued.

The State Department recommends renewing it nine months before it expires.
Completed online process 5/20. Delivery today. Did not upgrade to priority service. Quick and simple.

[RRGuyNJ]

I am renewing my passport online. Anyone done it lately? About how long did it take?

And why would anyone order the 32-page (standard) passport instead of the 52-page (large) passport? They are both the same price.

Finally, a passport is for ten years but you can’t use it for travel after 9.5 years because many countries require that you have a valid passport with six months remaining.

So you have to renew it about 8-9 months before it expires. The new passport should run from the date the old one expires - not from the date it is issued.

The State Department recommends renewing it nine months before it expires.

We just did my wife's passport online and it took about 2 weeks to come back via mail. I did mine last year and it was about the same.
Taking the photo was the biggest problem getting a picture with the proper background that the system would accept. My wife's picture was a breeze but mine required a lot of trial and error. Good luck!

[Rainger99]

Completed online process 5/20. Delivery today. Did not upgrade to priority service. Quick and simple.

Less than two weeks?? WOW!

I submitted mine online on May 30. I got two emails yesterday. The first said that my payment had been processed and the second one said that the U.S. Department of State had received my application on 06/01/2025 and that
routine service can take 4-6 weeks.

I will let you know when it arrives.

[Rainger99]

I got the smaller one, why would I need a big bulky thing?

It isn’t a big bulky thing. Have you ever seen them? It is difficult to tell them apart.

A standard passport has 32 pages and is about 3-5 mm thick (approximately 0.12-0.2 inches) when closed.

The 52-page passport is 5-7 mm thick (about 0.2-0.28 inches).

0.16 inches thicker is not a big bulky thing.

[spierce]

I just renewed my Passport online in May. I received the Passport in less than 2 weeks. It was a very easy process.

[Rainger99]

It isn’t a big bulky thing

See attached photo. The big bulky passport is on top and the regular passport is on the bottom.

[Sledneck]

if you are renewing just remember they suspend your current passort during the process so don’t plan any travel during the process

on the email i received

We are currently processing routine applications in 4-6 weeks. Processing times begin on the date your application is received at a passport agency or center and does not include mailing time.

When an agency or center receives your application, you will receive email updates so you know when your passport is in process, approved, mailed, and if additional information is needed.

You cannot travel internationally with your current passport as it will be invalidated during the renewal process.

[Carlsondm]

I renewed a few months ago online. I paid $20 extra for express mailing back. Mine came in three weeks. My partner had no special handling: 5 weeks. I prefer the smaller passport since I haven’t had it stamped that much and don’t need the extra weight.

[Rainger99]

I prefer the smaller passport since I haven’t had it stamped that much and don’t need the extra weight.

The weight difference is minuscule.

I just weighed my wife’s 32 page passport and my 52 page passport.

Hers is 1.3 ounces and mine is 1.7 ounces.

[Ray Greene]

I am renewing my passport online. Anyone done it lately? About how long did it take?

And why would anyone order the 32-page (standard) passport instead of the 52-page (large) passport? They are both the same price.

Finally, a passport is for ten years but you can’t use it for travel after 9.5 years because many countries require that you have a valid passport with six months remaining.

So you have to renew it about 8-9 months before it expires. The new passport should run from the date the old one expires - not from the date it is issued.

The State Department recommends renewing it nine months before it expires.

Go to Summerfield post office. Take old passports and new pictures. It took 15 minutes and received new passports in two weeks.

[thevillager1988]

My husband just renewed his (received the new one last week). It took 2 weeks. We were blown away!

[Rainger99]

My husband just renewed his (received the new one last week). It took 2 weeks. We were blown away!

How did he renew? Online, mail, etc.? Expedited service?

[LucyP]

Go to the office next to Sheriff office in 466 and Morse.Sumter County. They take picture send your information off. Two separate payments. Easy as pie.

[Rainger99]

Go to the office next to Sheriff office in 466 and Morse. Sumter County. They take picture send your information off. Two separate payments. Easy as pie.

But how long did it take to get the passport?

It was easy as pie submitting online. I didn't have to drive about 10 miles to the Sheriff's office - I did it from my computer in about 15 minutes. My only concern is how long it will take to get the passport back.

[Rainger99]

I submitted the application online last Friday.

This morning I received the following email.

The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you.

I will let you know when I receive it.

[Rainger99]

I got this overnight

The U.S. Department of State has shipped your passport book on 06/04/2025.

[Rainger99]

I submitted the application online last Friday.

This morning I received the following email.

The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you.

I will let you know when I receive it.

The passport came in today's mail! I submitted the application on Friday, May 30 and I received it on June 9.

Wow! I was hoping to get it by the end of July!

How do I contact Guinness Book of World Records to see if this is a world record for Passport renewal?