Taking a Gap Year: Passport Renewal for Students
The idea of taking a "gap year" between high school and college (or between college and full-time work) is becoming increasingly common among American students. While parents used to tremble at the thought of their offspring taking time away from academic life, more and more of them have come to accept that a break from school, coupled with experiences designed to build maturity and self-reliance, can actually have life-long benefits.
Once you join the working world, it can be almost impossible to travel long-term without making a lifestyle of it. So, consider taking a year off now to immerse yourself in another culture, learn a new language, volunteer or take courses that interest you.
If you're planning to leave the country, though, you'll need to apply for a passport renewal. Unfortunately, since this will most likely be your first time applying for a passport as an adult, you are not eligible to renew by mail. Here's what you need to do.
Apply in Person
If your current passport was issued before you turned 16, you must apply in person at the nearest passport acceptance facility, probably your local post office or public library. You can find the location closest to you using the search feature on the Department of State's website.
Documents Required
To prove that you are eligible for a passport renewal, you'll need to appear with the following documents:
Processing Time
One of the important lessons you have to learn on the road to adulthood is how to balance spontaneity and planning ahead. Save spontaneity for once you've already left for your gap year experience; plan ahead and apply for your passport renewal early. It takes about six weeks for the Department of State to process your application and get the new passport out to you. If you pay an additional $60 expedite fee, you can reduce the processing time but it will still take three weeks. If you wait until the last possible second, you'll find yourself having to make an appointment and travel to one of 24 regional passport offices or paying a private passport expediting company to hand-carry your application for you.
Once you join the working world, it can be almost impossible to travel long-term without making a lifestyle of it. So, consider taking a year off now to immerse yourself in another culture, learn a new language, volunteer or take courses that interest you.
If you're planning to leave the country, though, you'll need to apply for a passport renewal. Unfortunately, since this will most likely be your first time applying for a passport as an adult, you are not eligible to renew by mail. Here's what you need to do.
Apply in Person
If your current passport was issued before you turned 16, you must apply in person at the nearest passport acceptance facility, probably your local post office or public library. You can find the location closest to you using the search feature on the Department of State's website.
Documents Required
To prove that you are eligible for a passport renewal, you'll need to appear with the following documents:
Proof of identity, such as your old passport (as long as it is undamaged), driver's license, naturalization certificate, military or government ID.
Proof of citizenship. Your old passport will work here, too, or bring your birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
One new passport photo.
A check or money order to pay the required fees.
A completed copy of passport application form DS-11. Please note that while you can fill out the form ahead of time, if you sign it before the passport agent directs you to, you'll have to throw it away and start over.
Processing Time
One of the important lessons you have to learn on the road to adulthood is how to balance spontaneity and planning ahead. Save spontaneity for once you've already left for your gap year experience; plan ahead and apply for your passport renewal early. It takes about six weeks for the Department of State to process your application and get the new passport out to you. If you pay an additional $60 expedite fee, you can reduce the processing time but it will still take three weeks. If you wait until the last possible second, you'll find yourself having to make an appointment and travel to one of 24 regional passport offices or paying a private passport expediting company to hand-carry your application for you.
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