A passport is a piece of documentation that allows you to travel outside of the country and can show proof of citizenship. They are not hard to get, but may take several weeks for processing. Anytime your name changes, or your passport is lost, stolen, damaged or about to expire you need to apply for a passport renewal.

You should get this done as soon as possible if you are planning on traveling since many countries require that it be issued more then 6 months before the date of entry. If you have one expire while you are out of the US, it can cause problems leaving a foreign country and traveling anywhere else. You may also have problems trying to reenter into the US as well.

Mail is one option you have to renew your passport. There are criteria to meet, and if you can do so this can be quick and easy for you to get a current passport. You must have your passport included with your paperwork, and it must be undamaged and in your current name. It also has to have been issued in the last 15 years, and after you were 16 years of age.

If the above does not apply to you, then you need to go to a facility and do it face to face. You will also have to do this if you were under 16 when you got your passport, your name has changed, and it is your first one. You also need to do this if you are unable to locate your current passport due to any reason.

If you do mail your application, then you need to make sure you include your passport in the envelope. You should make sure that the package is protected from the elements since they will not accept any damage to it at all and that you have a way of tracing it through the mail. You also must send this from the US ands have a return one in the States or Canada.

If you go in person, you must go to an agency or facility and fill out the right forms. You need to make sure you bring all the documentation required with you; including your social security card and birth certificate as well as any other ID they want. You will need to wait to sign the forms until you are told to by an agent in your interview.

Fees must be paid at the time of application no matter what method you choose to do. If you mail it, you will need to include payment along with your passport and application. At the facility, you must pay for it before your interview. You can find the schedule of fees, forms, location of the facilities and the address to mail the application to can be obtained from the government website on the internet.

Emergency help is available while you are abroad through the consulate, and they can assist you if your New Passport has expired while traveling. You may also want to contact the regional agency if you have a need to travel in 2 weeks or a foreign visa within 4. Time is of the essence in emergency situations and American passport renewal needs to be addressed promptly.