As any traveler will discover, your passport is a valuable document. You will come to know it well the more frequently you travel. Unfortunately, many people do not travel enough (or just do not keep on top of their paperwork) to know when they need to renew a passport. Many people are sitting on expired passports, thinking they can still travel whenever they want. This is going to be a rough situation if some emergency comes up. Six months before you passport expires should be your warning time to renew it.

Some don’t think they need a to renew a passport so far in advance. It is good planning and common sense to do so though, because it is an official document which requires much processing and changing of hands before it is given to you. There could be numerous delays and problems, so if you are planning on traveling, save yourself a big headache and never run the risk of being caught without a valid passport. You can also on occasion find deals when the passport might not cost you as much.

So what should you do first? Typically, most people renew their passports through the mail. It is simple to do and you don’t have to travel anywhere. However, this option is not available for every person in every situation. It is only available if the below statements reflect your passport status.

Your passport is undamaged and available to submit. Your passport was issued when you were above sixteen years in age. Your passport was issued in the last fifteen years. You still have the same name as on your passport or, if you do not, you can prove your name change by mailing the proper documents. If this is all true, you can then get form DS-92 from the website: travel.state.gov.

If any of these statements are not true, if your passport was stolen, or if you are applying for your passport for the first time, you must apply in person. To do so, you must first locate a DS-11 form from the same web page. Look at the requirements. There are several types of documentation you have to provide for different situations. Do not go unprepared.

Passport Agencies (or more temporary Acceptance Facilities) are where you get this done. Go there with your form and bits of documentation. Some examples of documentation include proof of citizenship, birth certificate, marriage license, and your old passport. Understand what you need.

To help you locate these areas, go to the site and look for the search engine or locator. You just have to type in your zip code. This will help you find people or areas near you. Some people may be certified to do it, such as notaries and town clerks.

Note, too, the special renew your United States passport pages on the web site. Things become a bit more complicated if you are under eighteen years old. There are requirements for sixteen year olds and different ones for seventeen year olds to United States passport requirements. If you have any diplomatic or official status, you will also get a specialized passport.