You need to submit a new passport process, not just update your address

The U.S. State Department does not offer an address-change-only service for passports. If your address has changed since you received your passport, you must explore for a replacement passport using Form DS-11 (in person) or Form DS-82 (by mail). Your current passport remains valid for travel — the address inside it does not affect whether you can use it. However, if you want your passport to show your current address, a replacement is the only way.

The process depends on whether your passport is still valid and whether you can appear in person. If your passport is valid and undamaged, you can use the by-mail route, which costs less and takes longer. If you need the passport quickly or your passport is expired or damaged, you will need to go in person to a passport acceptance facility or agency.

Key Takeaways

  • Your passport's address does not affect your ability to travel, so you do not need to change it before your next trip.
  • A replacement passport with a new address requires a new process (Form DS-82 by mail or Form DS-11 in person), not a straightforward update.
  • By-mail replacement costs $130 for a passport book and takes 6 to 8 weeks; in-person replacement costs $165 and takes 1 to 2 weeks.
  • You will need your current passport, a new photo, and proof of your new address (such as a utility bill or lease) for either route.

Replacing your passport by mail if it is still valid

If your passport is valid (not expired) and in good condition, Form DS-82 is the cheapest and slowest option. You mail your current passport, a completed DS-82 form, a new passport photo, and a copy of proof of your new address to the address listed on the form. The State Department will return your old passport with your new one.

Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks under normal conditions. The fee is $130 for a passport book. You cannot use this method if your passport is expired, damaged, lost, or stolen, or if your name has changed since it was issued. read Form DS-82 from the State Department website (travel.state.gov) and follow the instructions on the form itself — they are specific about photo size, what counts as proof of address, and where to mail the package.

Replacing your passport in person for faster service

Form DS-11 is the in-person route and is faster but more expensive. You go to a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office) or a passport agency office, bring your current passport, a new photo, and proof of your new address, and submit the form there. Processing takes 1 to 2 weeks for a passport book, or same-day or next-day service if you pay an additional expedite fee.

The standard fee is $165 for a passport book. Expedited processing costs an extra $60, and same-day service (available only at passport agencies, not acceptance facilities) costs an extra $70 to $80. You must make an appointment at a passport agency; acceptance facilities usually take walk-ins but may have wait times. Find your nearest facility on the State Department website.

What counts as proof of your new address

The State Department accepts a narrow list of documents showing your current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last year all work. A driver's license with your new address also works. Documents that do not work include credit card statements, insurance cards, or letters from employers.

Bring the original document or a certified copy — a photocopy alone is not enough. If you have recently moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, a notarized letter from your landlord or a recent mortgage closing statement can substitute. Call the passport acceptance facility or agency before you go if you are unsure whether your document will be accepted.

Getting a new passport photo

You will need a new photo for your replacement passport. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, in color, with a plain white or off-white background, and showing your face straight-on with a neutral expression. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup. If you wear glasses, they must not have a glare on the lenses.

Passport photo services are available at most pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens), UPS stores, and Costco for $10 to $20. You can also have a professional photographer take one. Do not use a selfie or a photo from social media — the State Department rejects them. If you have a recent photo that meets the requirements, you can use it instead of paying for a new one.

Expedited service and passport agencies

If you need your passport within 1 to 2 weeks, use Form DS-11 in person and pay the expedite fee ($60 extra). If you need it within days, go to a passport agency office (not an acceptance facility) and pay for same-day or next-day service ($70 to $80 extra). Passport agencies are located in major cities; acceptance facilities are more common but cannot offer same-day service.

You must have an appointment at a passport agency. Book one on the State Department website. Walk-in appointments are sometimes available but are not may provide. If you are traveling internationally within a week and do not have a valid passport, a passport agency is your only option.

What happens to your old passport

When you explore for a replacement passport using DS-82 (by mail), the State Department returns your old passport to you along with your new one. Your old passport is no longer valid for travel, but you may want to keep it for your records. When you explore in person using DS-11, you must surrender your old passport at the acceptance facility or agency — you will not get it back.

If you need your old passport for any reason (such as visa stamps for travel history), request it back before you submit your process. The State Department can sometimes return it, but the process is slow. It is better to ask at the time of process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel with my old passport while I wait for the new one?

Yes. Your old passport is still valid for travel as long as it has not expired. The address inside does not matter. You can use it for any trip while your replacement is being processed. Once your new passport arrives, your old one is no longer valid, but you can keep it as a record.

Do I need to change my address if I am not traveling soon?

No. Your passport's address does not affect your ability to use it for travel or identification. You only need a replacement if you want your passport to show your current address. Many people keep passports with old addresses for years without any problem.

What if my passport is expired?

You cannot use Form DS-82 (by mail). You must explore in person using Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility or agency. Bring your expired passport, a new photo, and proof of your new address. The process and fees are the same as for a valid passport.

How long does it take to get a passport with a new address?

By mail (Form DS-82): 6 to 8 weeks. In person with standard processing (Form DS-11): 1 to 2 weeks. In person with expedite: 1 week. Same-day or next-day service is available only at passport agencies, not at acceptance facilities, and costs extra.

Can I change my address without getting a new passport?

No. The State Department does not offer an address-update service. A replacement passport is the only way to change the address printed inside. If you do not need your passport to show your current address, you do not need to do anything.