One important step that you need to take when planning an international vacation is to check your passport. If your passport is set to expire soon, you’ll need to renew it before leaving on your trip. Failing to renew your passport could result in having to cancel your travel plans altogether. Fortunately, getting a passport is quick and hassle-free when you choose to work with a company like Swift.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know when it comes to renewing your passport, including step by step application requirements, processing times, common mistakes to avoid, and more.
When Should I Renew My Passport?
If you have an upcoming trip overseas, it’s a good idea to check if your passport is still valid. In order to determine if you need a passport renewal, review the following questions. If you can answer “yes” to all of them, you should consider a passport renewal:
- Is your passport still valid or did it expire less than 5 years ago?
- Were you 16 years of age or older when your last passport was issued? Was it valid for 10 years?
- Was your passport issued in the United States?
- Is your passport in good condition and in your possession?
Another thing that you should take into consideration is the 6 month validity rule. You need to make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in your destination country. Failing to do so could result in you being denied entry. This is why we suggest renewing your passport if it will expire within 6 months of your trip. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
How Can I Check if My Passport is Expired?
Determining if your passport is valid is actually quite simple. To find out if your passport has expired, go to the information page and look for the expiration date. You can then decide when you will need to renew it. Getting ahead of the game and renewing your passport ahead of time is usually a good idea as it allows you to feel confident in knowing that you’re prepared and ready for your trip.
What Documents Are Needed to Renew My Passport?
There’s specific documentation required when renewing your passport, and it’s essential that you have it on hand when filling out your application to make it go as smoothly as possible. You’ll receive a full list of the required documents that you’ll need during the application process, but here are some key documents that you can gather in advance:
- Your Current Passport
- Passport Photo
- Proof of Departure
- Original Letters of Authorization
- DS-82 US Passport Renewal Application
Please note that you will have to physically send in your application materials to our Chicago office. You cannot upload them online. When shipping these to us, use either FedEx or UPS. Using USPS can cause delays and potentially make it take longer for you to receive your passport renewal.
How Can I Renew My Passport?
Obtaining your passport renewal with Swift is as easy as following 4 simple steps.
Step 1: Select Your Service, Enter Details, and Submit Your Order
During the first step of the process, you will need to head to our website, and begin placing your order for a passport renewal. You will be asked to fill out some simple information about yourself, such as your name and date of birth. Then, you will be given the option to add more passports and see complete pricing details.
Step 2: Gather All of the Required Documentation
There are several documents that you will have to obtain and send in to our Chicago office. You will be provided with a complete list of documentation during the checkout process so that you know exactly what you need to gather. Our team will review all of your documents and ensure that everything is accurate.
Step 3: Ship Your Documents to Our Chicago Office
The next step in the process is to send in all of your documents to our office in Chicago. Please only use FedEx or UPS when shipping your documentation. Do not use USPS as this could cause delays.
Please ship your documents to the following address:
Swift Passport & Visa Services
1 E Erie St.
Suite #525
Chicago, IL 60611
Step 4: Get Your Passport
Once we receive your passport application materials, our team of travel professionals will review everything. If it all looks good, we will process your order. We will keep you updated on the status of your passport, and ship it directly to you once it’s ready.
What Are the Current Passport Processing Times?
One of the things that people want to know is how long it takes to get a passport renewed. This is essential information because it could determine when you decide to begin the application process. Passport processing times vary, and can change from time to time. If you want to see the current passport renewal processing times, please visit our website. Here, we have all of the current information pertaining to processing times, so that you know exactly what to expect.
How Much Does it Cost to Renew My Passport?
Another thing that people are curious about is how much it costs to renew a passport. This can vary depending on multiple factors, including how quickly you need your passport renewed. To see the costs of renewing your passport, please visit the Expedited US Passport Renewal section of our website. It’s important to note that there may be additional fees that you’ll need to pay. These will be presented to you during the checkout process.
What Are Some Common Passport Application Mistakes?
There are some common passport application mistakes that we frequently see people make. It’s important to be aware of these common mistakes, as it can help you avoid repeating them when filling out your own application. One of the biggest issues people have is that they forget to double check all of the information on their application. Even making a simple spelling error can cause delays.
Another problem that we often see is that people forget to send in all of the required documentation. Before sending us your application materials, you should take a second look and ensure that all of the documents you need are in the envelope. Take your time when filling out your application and carefully review everything so that you don’t run into any issues.
Why Should I Renew My Passport With Swift?
When you decide that it’s time to renew your passport, choosing a reputable and reliable company like Swift is your best option. We have years of experience helping travelers procure their passport renewals, and can help save you a lot of time (and stress) when it comes to the application process. Our team will walk you through every step, and do everything we can to ensure that you have your passport in hand before your trip. Additionally, if you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to contact us. No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there!
