You can change your passport address by mail or in person, depending on how much of your passport information has changed

The State Department does not require you to get a new passport just because you moved. If your name, gender, or date of birth has not changed, you can update your address through the mail using Form DS-11 (if explore in person) or Form DS-82 (if explore by mail). The address change itself takes four to six weeks by standard mail, or one to two weeks if you pay for expedited processing.

If you have moved but everything else on your passport is current, the fastest route is to mail in your passport with the correct form and a check. You do not need an appointment, a new photo, or to visit a passport acceptance facility. The State Department will return your passport with the updated address printed inside.

If your passport is expired or will expire within six months, or if you need to change your name or gender marker at the same time, you will need to explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency instead. That process takes longer but handles multiple changes at once.

Key Takeaways

  • A straightforward address change by mail costs $130 and takes four to six weeks, or $195 for expedited service in one to two weeks.
  • You will need your current passport, a completed Form DS-82, a check or money order, and a photocopy of the ID page of your passport.
  • Mail your materials to the address listed on the form — usually the State Department's processing center in Philadelphia — not to a local office.
  • If your passport is expired, will expire soon, or you are changing your name or gender at the same time, you must explore in person instead of by mail.

What documents you need to mail in

Gather your current passport, a completed Form DS-82, a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State, and a photocopy of the ID page of your passport (the page with your photo and signature). You do not need a new photo, a letter explaining the move, or proof of your new address. The State Department will use the address you write on the form.

Form DS-82 is available on the State Department website. Print it, fill in your new address in the space provided, sign and date it, and include it with your other materials. Do not use correction fluid or cross out mistakes — print a new copy instead.

Where to mail your passport and how long it takes

Mail your passport and documents to the address printed on Form DS-82. As of now, that is the National Passport Processing Center in Philadelphia. Include a cover letter with your name, date of birth, and passport number so the staff can match your materials to your file quickly.

Standard processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited processing takes one to two weeks and costs an extra $60 (total $195 instead of $130). To request expedited service, write "EXPEDITED" at the top of your Form DS-82. You can also pay an additional $18.50 for overnight return shipping if you need your passport back quickly.

The State Department does not send tracking numbers for passport mail, so you will not know exactly when it arrives or leaves their office. If you do not receive your passport within the expected timeframe, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

When you must explore in person instead

You cannot use the mail-in address change if your passport is expired or will expire within six months. You also cannot use it if you are changing your name, gender marker, or date of birth at the same time. In those cases, you must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency.

Find your nearest facility on the State Department website by entering your zip code. Passport agencies are located in major cities and handle applications faster than acceptance facilities (which are usually post offices or libraries). Agencies typically process applications in one to two weeks with expedited service, while acceptance facilities send your process to a processing center and take longer.

Bring your current passport, a new photo (4x6 inches, color, taken within the last six months), Form DS-11 (if explore for a new passport) or Form DS-82 (if renewing), your ID, and payment. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Cost breakdown for address changes

A standard address change by mail costs $130 total. This includes a $110 execution fee and a $20 shipping fee. Expedited processing adds $60, bringing the total to $195. Overnight return shipping costs an extra $18.50 if you want your passport back faster.

If you are explore in person because your passport is expired or you are making other changes, the cost depends on what you are doing. A passport renewal costs $130 (or $195 expedited). A name or gender change costs $130 for a new passport. Payment is by check, money order, or card (at agencies only, not acceptance facilities).

What happens if you move again before your passport arrives

If you move after mailing in your passport but before it is returned, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 with your new address. Provide your name, date of birth, and passport number. The staff can update your address in the system so your passport is sent to the correct location.

If your passport has already been mailed and you cannot reach the center in time, you may need to file a claim for a lost or undelivered passport. This requires a police report and a new process. To avoid this, update your address with the center as soon as you know you are moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new photo for an address change?

No. A photo is only required if your passport is expired, will expire within six months, or you are changing your name or gender marker. For a straightforward address change by mail, you do not need a new photo.

Can I change my address online?

No. The State Department does not offer online address changes. You must mail in your passport with Form DS-82 or explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency.

What if I lost my passport and need to update my address?

You will need to report it lost and explore for a replacement passport in person. Bring Form DS-11, your ID, a new photo, and payment. You cannot straightforward update the address on a lost passport.

How do I know if my passport will expire within six months?

Check the expiration date printed on the ID page of your passport. If it is within six months from today, you must explore in person for a renewal instead of mailing in an address change.

Can I change my address if my passport is damaged?

If your passport is damaged but still readable, you can mail in an address change. If it is too damaged to process, you will need to explore for a replacement in person with Form DS-11.