You can renew your U.S. passport at any time, even before it expires, but it is generally advised to start the renewal process about 6 to 9 months before expiration to avoid travel issues, as many countries require at least 6 months of passport validity for entry. To renew, you typically need your current passport, which should be undamaged and issued within the last 15 years when you were age 16 or older. The regular processing time for passport renewals is about 6 to 8 weeks, but expedited service is available for an additional fee, which can reduce processing time to about 4 to 6 weeks. If travel is urgent (within less than 3 weeks), you should renew in person at a passport agency. In summary:
- You can renew anytime, but start ideally 6-9 months before expiry.
- Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks.
- Expedited processing takes 4 to 6 weeks.
- In-person renewal is needed for urgent travel within 3 weeks or if you don't meet mail-in eligibility requirements.
These points ensure a smooth passport renewal process and avoid travel disruption.
