Where to send your passport for an address change

You do not need to renew your passport to change your address. Instead, send your current passport to the State Department's passport agency or acceptance facility with a form and a letter explaining the change. The State Department will update your records and return your passport with the new address printed inside.

If you have a passport book, mail it to the address printed on Form DS-11 or DS-82 instructions, or take it in person to a passport acceptance facility or agency office. The fastest option is in-person service at a passport agency, which exists in major cities. If you live far from an agency, a local post office, library, or courthouse that accepts passport applications can forward your request, though this takes longer.

Do not mail your passport to the State Department without first completing the required form and including a written explanation of why your address changed. Sending it alone will delay processing because staff will have to contact you to ask why you submitted it.

Key Takeaways

  • You update your passport address by mailing your passport book with Form DS-82 and a letter stating your new address, not by renewing the entire passport.
  • In-person service at a passport agency in your state takes one to two weeks; mailing through a post office or library takes four to six weeks.
  • You will need your current passport, a completed form, proof of citizenship (your birth certificate or naturalization papers), a government-issued ID, and a passport photo if you are explore in person.
  • The State Department charges no fee for an address-only change, but you may pay a service fee if you use an acceptance facility or passport agency.

What documents to include with your mailed request

Gather your current passport book, a completed Form DS-82 (process for a U.S. Passport), and a signed letter on plain paper stating your old address and new address. Write the letter yourself—there is no official template, but a straightforward statement like "I am requesting an address change from [old address] to [new address]" is sufficient.

Include a photocopy of the information page of your passport (the page with your photo and signature). Do not send your original birth certificate or citizenship documents unless you are renewing your passport at the same time. For an address change alone, you do not need to submit proof of citizenship again.

If you are mailing your request, use a tracked mail service such as certified mail or a carrier that provides tracking. Keep the receipt. The State Department receives thousands of passport requests weekly, and tracking protects you if your envelope is lost in transit.

In-person service at a passport agency

Passport agencies exist in thirteen cities: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, and a few others depending on your state. You can walk in without an appointment at most locations, though some require one during busy seasons. Check the State Department website for your nearest agency and current wait times before you go.

Bring your passport book, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), and your signed letter explaining the address change. You do not need a new passport photo for an address-only change. Staff will process your request on the spot, and you will receive your passport back with the updated address within one to two weeks.

In-person service costs the same as mailing—there is no fee for the address change itself—but some agencies charge a service fee of $35 to $50 for expedited processing if you need it back faster. Ask the staff member whether expedited service is available for address changes at your location, as not all agencies offer it.

Mailing your passport through the post office or library

If you cannot reach a passport agency, you can mail your request to a post office, library, or courthouse that accepts passport applications. These facilities forward your materials to the nearest passport agency on your behalf. Processing takes four to six weeks because of the extra step of forwarding.

Call ahead to confirm that the facility accepts passport applications and ask whether they handle address changes specifically. Some locations accept new passport applications but do not process renewals or modifications. Bring your passport, Form DS-82, your signed letter, and a government-issued ID. Staff will witness your signature on the form and mail everything to the agency for you.

You will not receive a receipt from the post office or library, so use certified mail or a tracked service if you are mailing the materials yourself instead of handing them to staff. If you hand them to staff in person, ask for a receipt confirming they received your materials.

How long the address change takes

In-person service at a passport agency takes one to two weeks from the day you submit your request. Mailing through a post office or library takes four to six weeks because the facility must forward your materials to an agency first. During peak travel seasons (spring and summer), processing times can stretch longer, sometimes reaching eight weeks for mailed requests.

You can check the status of your passport online using the State Department's passport status tool. You will need your passport number and the date of birth associated with your passport. The tool updates every few days, so check back if it shows "processing" and you have not heard anything for more than two weeks.

If your passport has been in processing for longer than the stated timeframe, contact the passport agency directly by phone. The State Department's main passport line is 1-877-487-2778. Have your passport number and the date you submitted your request ready when you call.

What happens if your address is already wrong on your passport

If your passport was issued with an incorrect address—for example, your old address was printed inside by mistake—you still follow the same process. Send your passport with Form DS-82 and a letter explaining that the address on the passport is wrong and stating what your correct address should be. The State Department will correct the error and return your passport.

You do not pay a fee for correcting an error that the State Department made. If the error was your own (you provided the wrong address when you applied), the State Department may still correct it at no charge, but call ahead to confirm before mailing your passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new passport photo for an address change?

No. An address-only change does not require a new photo. Your existing photo remains valid. If you are renewing your passport at the same time you change your address, then you will need a new photo, but a straightforward address change does not.

Can I change my address online?

The State Department does not offer online address changes for passports. You must mail your passport or visit a passport agency in person. Some third-party passport services advertise online address changes, but they will still mail your passport to the State Department on your behalf, so you are paying a middleman fee for a service you can do yourself for free.

What if I lost my passport and need to change the address at the same time?

You will need to report your passport as lost and explore for a replacement, not just change the address. This requires Form DS-11 (process for a U.S. Passport) and proof of citizenship, and you must explore in person at a passport agency or acceptance facility. The replacement passport will have your current address printed inside.

Will my old passport with the old address still be valid?

Yes. Once the State Department updates your address and returns your passport, the passport itself is valid for travel regardless of what address is printed inside. The address in your passport does not have to match your current residence. However, it is cleaner to have your current address on file, and some government offices may ask why your address differs from your records.

How much does it cost to change my address?

There is no fee from the State Department for changing your address on a passport. If you use a passport acceptance facility or agency, you may pay a service fee of $35 to $50 depending on the location and whether you request expedited processing. Mailing your passport yourself costs only the price of postage and tracked mail service.