LetterAgent

Mail physical letters by just asking your AI assistant.


Status: LetterAgent is currently in private testing ahead of public launch. Everything on this page describes the service as it works today.

Home > Guides > Passport renewal

Can I renew my passport by mail?

LetterAgent can't renew your passport: that means mailing your physical passport, a photo, and the fee, and LetterAgent mails letters only. Do it yourself if you qualify for Form DS-82: your last passport is undamaged, issued within 15 years, issued at age 16 or older, and your name is unchanged. Use trackable mail.

Do you qualify for DS-82?

Renew by mail (DS-82)Apply in person (DS-11)
Most recent passport is undamagedPassport is lost, stolen, or damaged
Issued within the last 15 yearsIssued more than 15 years ago
Issued when you were 16 or olderIssued when you were under 16
Name unchanged, or you have legal name-change documentsName changed without supporting documents
You still have the passport in your possessionIt was your first adult passport and you cannot find it

If any item in the right column describes you, skip the mail and book an appointment at an acceptance facility: a mailed DS-82 in those cases just gets returned, weeks later.

What goes in the envelope?

Four things: the completed and signed DS-82, your most recent passport, one passport photo meeting the State Department's specs, and the fee as a check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." Two details people get wrong: the fee must be a check or money order, never cash, and you should print your full name and date of birth on the check itself so a separated payment can be matched to your application. Use a large envelope, not a folded one, and do not staple anything.

How long does it take?

Processing times move with demand, so check the State Department's current estimates before you plan travel, and do not book nonrefundable trips until the new passport is in your hands. Expedited service costs extra and shortens the wait if you are on a deadline. Two things surprise first-time renewers: your old passport is mailed back to you separately from the new one, often arriving days apart, so do not panic when only one shows up; and trackable mail on the way out means you can prove the application arrived if anything goes missing.

What about Canadian passport renewal?

Canada runs a similar mail-in renewal for eligible adults: a completed application, your most recent passport, photos meeting the specifications, and the fee. The same advice applies: use tracked mail, keep copies of everything you send, and apply well before any travel. Guarantor and reference requirements differ from the US system, so follow the Canadian application form's instructions rather than assuming the processes match.

Related guides

Ready to mail it? Send your letter with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and it is printed and mailed.


LetterAgent is a working name. Prices include print, postage, and our service fee. US prices in USD, Canadian prices in CAD (Canadian prices exclude applicable sales tax, added at checkout). Currently in private testing.

Need help? Ask your assistant: it can check a job's status any time. If it ever can't handle something: hello@getletteragent.com

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