| You're excited about your next trip to Europe and | | | | Department of State web site, or you can pick it up |
| have spent months planning every little detail. You | | | | at just about any U.S. Post Office. |
| count the days and finally you're packing and heading | | | | You might want to consider the overdue haircut or |
| off to the airport. You know you've put your | | | | that new style you've been eager to try, because |
| passport in your carry on and are a bit smug at | | | | you're going to need to produce 2 new passport |
| remembering to bring this important document. | | | | photos. I know you think you look exactly the same |
| You stand confidently in the airport security line, smile | | | | as you did 10 years ago, despite what your friends |
| as you hand your passport to the official, then watch | | | | say, but the State Department wants new photos |
| with bewilderment as he asks you to step aside. | | | | anyway. Find a passport agency that can take |
| What's going on? As if in a dream, you hear the | | | | passport photos per the standards and include those |
| security official point accusingly to the expiration date | | | | with your mail in application. |
| on your passport. How can it be? Your passport has | | | | Make a copy of everything before sealing the |
| expired! | | | | envelope and don't forget to also drop in your |
| This really is a nightmare scenario to any traveler, but | | | | current passport. Use a traceable mail method, such |
| it's totally avoidable. If you're reading this, go find | | | | as certified mail, and make sure the envelope you've |
| your passport right now and check the expiration | | | | selected is durable and waterproof. Accidents |
| date. That's right, go! I'll wait until you return. | | | | happen, so plan for the worst! |
| Okay, if you're still reading, then it's likely your | | | | It will take around 3 or 4 weeks to get your new |
| passport expiration date may be past, be here soon | | | | passport, but if that's too long check into the |
| or within 6 months of expiring. Hopefully you're not | | | | "expedited" service, if you're willing to pay a bit more. |
| leaving tomorrow for your vacation to Europe. You | | | | Check the Department of State web site, which is |
| can actually renew a US passport relatively quickly | | | | up to date and full of useful information, to find out |
| and easily so don't despair. | | | | the price for this and any other information not |
| US passports can be renewed by mail, which is very | | | | covered here. |
| convenient. The United States Department of State | | | | Once you get your shiny new passport, you can rest |
| even has a specific form to use called a DS-82, | | | | easy knowing that nightmare won't come true for |
| "Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail". The form is | | | | you. Just don't forget to pack your toothbrush! |
| available to download and print online at the | | | | |