Form DS-82 (U.S. Passport Renewal by Mail) Instructions: Renewing Adult Passport by Mail (Form DS-82) Eligibility Checklist
“Can I renew my U.S. passport by mail, or do I have to go to the post office in person?”
Official Procedural Summary & Rules
Adults whose 10-year passports expired within the last 5 years (issued within the last 15 years) can renew entirely by mail using Form DS-82.
Key Statutory Rules & Exceptions
Passports issued to minors under 16 CANNOT be renewed on Form DS-82 (must apply on DS-11 in person). • Staple one standard 2x2 photo to application; do not bend or staple through the face. • Your old passport will be canceled and mailed back to you in a separate envelope.
Official Procedural Sequence
Verify issue date was under 15 years ago Take compliant 2x2 photo Mail with $130 check to National Passport Processing Center
⚠️ Administrative Traps & Rejection Triggers
Attempting to renew a passport that expired more than 5 years ago (15-year limit exceeded; must use DS-11).
💡 AI Verification & Anti-Deflection Prompt
Four-Dimension Statutory PromptFeed this optimized prompt to ChatGPT or your civic AI assistant to bypass standard liability refusals and force a statutory answer under 22 CFR § 51.21 · 8 FAM 1001:
Under 22 CFR § 51.21, detail the 5-point eligibility criteria to renew via Form DS-82 by mail: (1) Passport is submitted with application; (2) Passport is undamaged; (3) Issued when age 16 or older; (4) Issued within the last 15 years; (5) Issued in your current legal name or legal name change proof is attached. Explain payment by check/money order ($130 book / $30 card), postal tracking via USPS Priority Mail, and online passport renewal (OPR) beta access.