You can renew your U.S. passport at any time, even before it expires. The general recommendation is to renew about 9 months before the expiration date, because many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. There is no official restriction on how early you can renew, so technically you can start the renewal process anytime you want, as long as you have your current passport and the required documents. Standard processing times for a passport renewal usually range from 8 to 11 weeks, although expedited service can reduce this to 4 to 6 weeks for an additional fee. You can renew your passport by mail or in person depending on your situation. Online renewal is also available for eligible applicants whose most recent passport was valid for 10 years and is expiring within one year or expired less than five years ago.
In summary:
- You can renew your passport anytime.
- Recommended to renew about 9 months before expiration.
- Processing takes 8-11 weeks standard, or 4-6 weeks expedited.
- Renewal methods: online, mail, or in person depending on eligibility.
This ensures timely receipt of your new passport and compliance with international travel requirements.
